Interviewing for a job can be a long and complex process.
Many job candidates believe that the interview process ends once the personal face-to-face interaction is over.
However, this is not the case.
Things to Keep in Mind
It is important to keep in mind that the interview process is not complete until you have joined a company.
The job interview is just one part of the hiring process. Once the personal interview is completed, the company enters the thinking and evaluating phase and starts to weigh all the options available to it.
- So, what are the next steps after the interview?
- How should you follow up with a phone call?
- What to do when there is no response after an interview or no call (or update) from the company after a certain time?
This article suggests five things that you should do after the job interview.
Best Practices for Following Up After a Job Interview
After each interview round and the entire job application process is completed, there are several things to keep in mind.
When you attend an interview, it’s important to remember that it’s not just a meeting between professionals to fill a position, but also one of the first interactions you might have with a company or its employees. Therefore, it’s crucial to observe some courtesies to ensure a positive interaction.
1.) Waiting for a Response Might Take Time
One of the most challenging parts of the job application process is waiting to hear back from the company after an interview.
Sometimes, the time it takes for the company to review your candidacy and get back to you seems long to you, but for the company, it may be a normal timeframe.
2.) Should you Call Them?
If you don’t receive a response after a certain period of time, you may start wondering whether it’s appropriate to call back and check the hiring status.
But the question is, how long should you wait to call after an interview?
3.) It Depends
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on the position you’ve applied for and the company profile in the job market.
During the interview, you can ask when it would be appropriate to call or when you can expect to hear back.
4.) Always Keep the Door Open
When it comes to whom to call, inspect the phone number that the company called you from. If the call came from the interviewer, it’s preferable to call them directly on that number.
Finally, it’s important to arrange a timetable for your follow-up procedure.
For example, wait up to four days after the interview itself before you call.
Moreover, don’t ignore other interview calls while waiting for a reply, even if you think the job, is a sure thing.
There’s always a chance you might not get hired for the position.
Read on.
Next Steps After the Interview: Tips for Staying Professional
So, what are your nest steps while waiting for a phone call after the interview?
1.) Retrospect
After the interview, take time to reassess how it went and how you could improve.
Within the first ten minutes of an interview, both the interviewer and interviewee get a gut feeling about whether the person will be hired or not. Try to remember some of the replies you gave, or the interviewer gave and gauge whether you would be considered for the next interviewing process or not.
With this gained experience, you have the necessary tools to prepare yourself for the next job interview.
2.) Continue Your Job Search
It’s important to continue your job search.
The quote “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is appropriate here; your odds are not 100% clear.
You should not freeze your job search efforts until the moment you sign the job contract.
3.) Send a Thank You Email/Message
Proper interviewing etiquette is crucial in the corporate world.
After your job interview, make sure to send a thoughtful thank-you email or letter.
This emphasizes your professionalism and makes a good impression on the interviewer and other people involved.
4.) Inform Your References
Most interviews require references to be given at the very beginning of the interview.
If you have given references to the interviewer, make sure to call them up and inform them that you have given their names and contact details.
You may also direct your references to what to say when asked.
Should you call after an interview?
Yes, you should call after an interview.
However, you should only call them after a certain amount of time.
Also, keep in mind that if the calls are made hurriedly and without proper gaps in between, you may come across as a person who is more desperate for a job than a professional should be.
Why Following Up After an Interview is Critical?
It is a good idea to stay in contact with the interviewer and the HR of the company in general.
One of the best ways to stay in contact is to call them.
However, calling requires some aspects of professional etiquette. Without it, calling them may impede your chances of getting a job rather than facilitate them.
Performing a follow-up phone call requires considering some aspects:
1.) Ask them – One of the first things to do when your interview is finished is to ask when you can expect a call or when it would be appropriate to call.
The best time to ask this question is at the end of the interview when it is being wrapped up.
The most crucial necessity is to ensure that the atmosphere is positive while asking this question.
2.) When to call? Additionally, you would have to arrange a schedule for when to call the interviewer or the company.
The best time to call is about two days after the interview has taken place. You can also send a thank-you email between your first call and your second call.
Therefore, you can make your call two days after the interview, a thank-you note/email two days after the call, and another return call two days later.
3.) Timing – Another important aspect is to schedule a time to call.
The best time to call the interviewer or the company is after lunch or an hour before closing time.
This will ensure that you have a comfortable timeframe to speak to the interviewer.
4.) Whom to call? An important aspect to remember is to contact the right people.
The best way to keep in touch is by calling up the people concerned – You would have to decide whether to call the interviewer or the company itself.
The corporate culture varies from company to company. Some companies prefer that the interviewer maintain contact, while others prefer to serve as the go-between. The best way to get an idea of whether to call the interviewer or the company is to inspect the number that the interviewer called you from after the first or second call.
If the call comes from a mobile number, you can be assured that calling the interviewer on that number directly would be preferable.
5.) Keep it short! The most important thing to remember is that the phone call should be brief and to the point.
The conversation should not veer away from the matter at hand.
To sum up, all the above things you do after the interview will space out your interaction with the company by at least a week.