Author: Lavie Margolin, Career Coach
At the end of an interview, we are often told when we can expect to hear back from an employer. This information is helpful to us as we need a timeframe so that we can call in the event we do not hear back from the company. Oftentimes, the employer will mention a time sooner than they are ready to give you an answer. It may be delayed for a any number of reasons: the office was closed for a holiday, a key decision maker was out of the office or the company may have been swamped with work unexpectedly. If the company reports they will have a decision for you in a week, it may take a week and a half until they are ready to decide. A general rule of thumb is to take the time the employer reports that they will be able to give you an answer and add three business days: (Employer report that you can follow up in one week, on Monday, June 8)+ 3 Business days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) = Good time to follow up is on Friday, June 12.
The post interview time is an especially sensitive one. We would like to remain on the employers mind but not be too aggressive in our follow through. When an interview is wrapping up, inquire what the next steps will be and a possible timeframe to those next steps.
After an interview, a thank you note should be sent. The thank you note should be tailored specifically to reinforce issues of interest discussed in the interview. If you have not heard back from the employer after the timeframe they gave you, follow up with a phone call. Try to reach the person on the phone. If you are not hired, try to stay in touch with the person. Use the light touch at first: email occasional professional articles of interest to the person as an FYI or share other information that may be helpful. After a few of those exchanges, invite the person to connect on LinkedIn.
About the Author: Lavie Margolin is a New York-based Career Coach and the author of Lion Cub Job Search: Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers. To learn more, go to Lavie’s website, Lion Cub Job Search:www.Lioncubjobsearch.com