The amount of time that should elapse before you follow up with an interviewer is determined by the method of contact you intend to use. There are guidelines set out by experts in the field of job search etiquette for interview follow up time frames using regular mail, email or telephone. Consider these guidelines as you navigate through the job search process.
Never visit the company in person after an interview unless the interviewer invited you to do so. It not only makes you look pushy, your visit puts the interviewer on the spot if you were not chosen for the position. Although many tips suggest sending a handwritten note thanking the interviewer, Roy Cohen, a career coach and author, recommends never sending notes or letters by mail after an interview. This method is too slow and will make it appear as if you are not up-to-date on the use of modern technology.
If your preferred method of contacting an interviewer is by email, send a thank-you note as soon as possible after the interview. This interview time frame will help keep your name fresh and showcase your writing skills and personality. Thank-you notes should be sent to each interviewer that you had contact with during your interview. For those who prefer to contact the interviewer by telephone, it is best to wait until the next day. Calling is an excellent method because it allows you to initiate conversation and helps the interviewer find out a little more about your personality.
Once the thank-you note has been relayed to the interviewer, contact him again with either a well-written email or a telephone call. The interview time frame for that contact varies depending on information relayed during the interview. If the interviewer stated that a decision would be made within a particular time frame, do not call the day after that time has passed. If a time frame was not specified, make contact seven days later to show your continued interest. If the time frame for contact falls on a Monday, it is better to wait until Tuesday to telephone the interviewer. In almost all businesses, Mondays are the busiest day of the week and your interruption may not be appreciated or even remembered once other business has been resolved.
Following up after interviews within the recommended time frame shows professionalism and is an important step in getting hired for a position. It can also be an important tool in your job search. If you were not hired for that particular position, your professional conduct may result in the interviewer remembering you for future job openings, or potentially referring your name to other companies seeking an employee with your skills and interests.
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