Job seekers will typically send a follow up letter after their interview, trying to make a final push towards a coveted job contract, or just to politely thank the interviewers for their time and for considering their job application.
Some people will do nothing at all though, even if there is no response for two weeks after their interview. They will sit at home, waiting patiently for an email or a call from an employer–one that may never come. The smartest job seekers, however, will take the initiative and make a follow up call. In this article we will show you how to do it in a most effective way. Enjoy!
Four steps to a good follow-up call
1. Introduce yourself and say why you are calling
They may remember you, as well as not. Introduce yourself briefly and tell them that you are calling regarding the feedback from the interview for a particular position, interview you gave on a particular day and time. Make it clear for them right from the start. Remember that they might meet 50 other job candidates during the same week. That’s too many faces to remember…
Do not forget to talk with enthusiasm, and try to sound positive and optimistic. There will be enough time for negativity after the call–if it doesn’t end the way you hope for 🙂
2. Silence is the master
To remain silent on the call is a great sales technique, and you can use it also in the follow-up of your interview.
You have already introduced yourself, and told them what you need and want to know. Remain silent and let them talk. The longer you remain silent, the more information you will get. Don’t forget to grab a pen and paper and note down of everything they say. Just let them talk, and don’t interrupt. Let them express their feelings and opinions.
3. React on their initial verdict
If they hire you, ask about the next steps. Perhaps you should go to the company to sign a new job contract, or there is a training day you have to pass (or a drug test), before you can officially start working in the company.
If their verdict is negative, try to make the most from the phone call. Ask them to give you some feedback on your interviewing skills–what you could do better, why they chose someone else, etc.
If you have a good feeling from the person on the other end, you can ask also about other job openings in the company–perhaps you researched about other offers on their careers’ website, or on your favorite job board. Show them that you are interested.
You can also politely ask them to call you, if the same position becomes available in the future. Many times someone starts a job and leaves in two months, for whatever reason (the job did not meet their expectations, they did not like the collective of people, they got another offer, etc).
Perhaps you finished the second best in the interviews, and they will be more than happy to call you in a case that the winner doesn’t stay with them for a long time. It is much easier to call the second best candidate than to organize the entire interview from scratch again.
 4. End the call
There’s nothing more to say or do. Wish them good luck, and hang up. Try to stay positive and friendly, end the call on a high note. You never know what can happen in the future. Perhaps you can benefit from this particular connection with the recruiter/HR manager, from having their number.
And even if not, it is good to be nice to other people you meet in your life, in your job search. Law of action and reaction always works. Be nice to the others, and the others will be nice to you…
* May also interest you: How to know if you failed a phone interview?
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We learn more on the call
Making a phone call has many advantages when compared to sending a letter. First and foremost, you will get your answer immediately.
You can also ask them additional questions, learn what the next steps are (if they decided to hire you), or ask them for some feedback on your interviewing skills, and what you could do better (if the answer is negative, and they decided to hire someone else for the job).
Get a second chance
What’s more, in case of a negative answer you can try to arrange a new interview with them. You can even ask them if they do not have another offer available in the company, some other vacancy that may suit your abilities and experience. You always have a second chance on the call, and you can lose nothing at all. The worst thing that can happen is that they turn you down repeatedly. And who cares?
They had a chance to employ a great person and an excellent employee in you, and they decided not to. It is their mistake, their chance missed. At least you know the result straight away, and can focus on the next opportunity and the next job interview with some smarter managers, who won’t let you go easily :).
An email, or a call?
So, an email, or a call? While I believe that the follow up call is always better, not all interview coaches share the same opinion. Nonetheless, in some scenarios, it is definitely better to call the employer than sending an email, or even a latter. Namely the following situations:
- If you have a very good feeling after the interview, and want to bag the new job while the emotions are still running high.
- When you apply for a position where calling people forms an integral part of the job (call center operative, sales representative, phone banker, and similar jobs).
- If you are not good in writing letters–perhaps making errors or typos, but enjoy talking on the phone (grammar and stylistics matters a lot when you write the letter, but it has no significance while you call someone).
- When you need their feedback immediately (because you consider other job offers, or basically because you can’t wait).
Continue your preparation for your follow-up call:
- How to overcome interview nerves – Feeling anxious before making the call? Learn how to overcome anxiety and make the best possible call.
- Follow-up letter after the interview – Advice on how to write a good letter, with sample letters attached. Understand the most important sections on your letter, and try to convince the employer to give you a job.
- Interview follow-up email after two weeks – samples and ideas.
