The days immediately following an interview can be challenging in the hiring process. As a candidate, you must make an abrupt transition from a driven achiever to a patient observer. It’s a delicate balancing act between remaining relevant in their views and without appearing overly eager. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do during this period.
Your Answers Should Be Timely
The job interview is truly over once you send a thank you note. In a few days (or the following day), send them an email thanking them for the opportunity to come in and interview.
Allow room for them to contact you with the next steps in the process. If the company contacts you, try to respond within 24 hours. If you haven’t heard back from the hiring manager by the date they stated they would make an offer, don’t fret. You could still be in the running and should set a reminder for yourself to shoot them an email a week later.
Don’t Be Overeager
This is where the balancing act comes into play. You want to appear interested, but acting too interested may be a red flag to the company. The last thing you want is for them to believe you are more interested in leaving your current job than starting a new one. This will give them the impression that you are changing jobs for the wrong reasons. Just like in any relationship, appearing desperate reduces your chances of getting the job. Allow a few days before emailing the hiring manager to follow up, and never send a duplicate email. Be patient, and understand the process may take some time. If it’s taking TOO much time, it’s up to you to decide if a lengthy hiring process is worth the wait or if it’s time to keep searching.
Know When to Move On
Once a sufficient amount of time has passed since the interview, you may realize that you weren’t selected. Ideally, the hiring manager or recruiter will communicate this to you, but if not, don’t spend too much time dwelling on it. Remember that it is a fantastic learning opportunity and merely a stepping stone to the perfect match. Thank the recruiting manager for his time and consideration by reaching out to him. Tell him you’d like to be considered for future positions if applicable and keep in touch with him via LinkedIn.
Give it 5 Days
It’s natural to feel anxious after an interview. You may find yourself constantly refreshing your email in the hopes of receiving something, anything, related to the job. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Give yourself 5 days after the interview, especially if it’s the final interview, to be all-in on the job if it’s for a company you really like. If you haven’t heard anything after five days, start looking for work again. Maintain your confidence that you will get the job where you made it to the final interview, but keep your life realistic by starting to apply for new ones. This one-of-a-kind process allows you to be enthusiastic and committed to the job while remaining realistic.