Companies are inundated with resumes, especially HR departments, so individuals who follow up get more immediate attention. Hiring is just one responsibility of most managers, so candidates who follow up will have a greater chance of moving forward in the process. There is a delicate balance between maintaining consistent contact without being overbearing and ultimately there are some best practices to separate you from candidates who interview and “wait and see”.
· When should a candidate follow up?
The easy answer is always, always, and always…after career fairs, when you meet potential contacts at events, within 24 hours of a phone interview, and within 24 hours of a live interview.
· What should a candidate do after the initial follow up?
If you do not hear from the organization within two days of your follow up letter, contact the interviewer directly via phone. Confirm the interviewer’s receipt of your letter and reconfirm your interest in the position.
Follow up with phone calls or email and alternate methods depending on the response of the interviewer or what you know about their schedules every few days until a response is given. The bottom line is that assertiveness to secure a career opportunity shows leadership and persistence…and what company wouldn’t want those qualities?
To learn more about follow up techniques, look for seminars around the Valley that are provided free to the public by experts in the field like this one on June 18th at University of Phoenix Hohokam Campus:
http://www.facebook.com/uopxphoenix#!/event.php?eid=229613227052070
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