This is a guest post by Val Matta.
The silence is killing you. Sure it’s only been a few days, but you still haven’t heard any news on your interview.
You left the hiring manager a message thanking them for their time, and let them know that you are looking forward to hearing from them. But, this really isn’t anything they haven’t already heard before.
You already know the importance of following up after a job interview, but beyond that, what other ways can you show your interest in the company?
Check out these four unique ways to follow up after the interview and land that call back:
1. Make it personal.
Besides Valentine’s Day, April Fools Day and Halloween, there are about a thousand and one holidays that are celebrated each year. A fun and creative way to send a follow-up thank you note is by incorporating a timely and unexpected holiday into it.
Perhaps it’s National Coffee Day. Forgo the traditional letter, and send a small gift card from a local coffee shop with a handwritten note expressing your appreciation for their time.
If no random holiday exists when you send your letter, get creative, and try to work in something that closely relates to the conversation you had with the hiring manager. It’ll show that you listened during the interview and are interested in making a personal connection.
2. Complement the culture.
The smell of a warm hazelnut latte. The faint hum of Mumford & Sons. And you noticed a fitness facility when you walked in.
Employees were upbeat and welcoming. They were wearing jeans and smiling. The entire office seemed laid back and comfortable.
Their company culture rocks.
After your interview — if you had a good experience — share it online. You don’t have to disclose the exact reason you were there, but still give them some credit for making a great first impression. Here’s how:
- comment on the company Facebook page
- follow them on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat
- reach out and send a thank you Tweet
Following the company on social sites can also keep you in the loop when future positions open up.
3. @Mention them on your personal blog.
Let’s say you interviewed for the Communications Specialist position. After the interview, write up a blog post that highlights a few impressive aspects of the company that you noticed.
Not only does doing so show your appreciation for their consideration of your skills, it also shows your ability to tie it into a professional piece of writing.
Then, share the article with them. Send an email to the hiring manager that links to your blog. If they like what they see, they may even share your piece on their company social sites.
4. Be persistent, not desperate.
How bad do you want the job? It should be enough to earn the attention of the company — not scare them away.
You’re not the only person waiting to hear back from the interviewer, and not everyone makes it a priority to respond to every applicant or candidate. In a February, 2015 CareerBuilder survey of more than 5,013 workers and 2,002 hiring decision makers, 52 percent of employers respond to less than half of the candidates who apply.
For this reason, it’s critical that you continue to make a conscious effort to contact the hiring manager, but don’t become overbearing to the entire office. Calling every day is excessive and can actually hurt your chances of getting hired.
Each time you reach out to the company, write it down. This way, you can keep track of how often you follow-up without seeming desperate.
Getting in touch once a week is generally a good number to shoot for. Remember, using social media to reach out is still considered a ‘follow-up.’
In what ways are you following up after an interview?
About the guest post author:
Val Matta is the vice president of business development at CareerShift, a comprehensive job hunting and career management solution for companies, outplacement firms, job seekers and university career centers. Connect with Val and CareerShift on LinkedIn.