Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Follow-up?

Once you've made it through the job interview, waiting to hear back from a hiring manager can be frustrating, especially when you believe the interview went well and think you're likely to get an offer. It is common practice for job seekers to follow up with the company by sending a thank-you note or email after the interview. However, overzealous candidates who follow up too much can actually hurt their chances of gaining employment.

Know Before You Go

Contacting the hiring manager too soon or too frequently following a job interview can make you appear needy or desperate. Instead, gather the information you need before you leave the interview. Ask about the hiring timeline, and make note of when a decision is expected to be made. If a hiring manager says that you should hear from the company within 10 days, avoid following up sooner than this. By respecting the set timeline, you not only show that you have good listening skills and pay attention to detail, but you also demonstrate your ability to adhere to instructions as a potential employee.

Pay Close Attention to Phrasing

Job seekers who are too aggressive can leave a negative impression with potential employers. When calling the hiring manager following an interview, use a pleasant, undemanding tone. Refer back to the timeline discussed in the job interview, and ask about any progress or developments regarding a decision. Show enthusiasm without seeming overeager. Reiterate that you are still interested in joining the team without making the hiring manager feel pressured to speed up the process. Finally, thank the person for taking the time to interview you.

Get Creative With Follow-Ups

Stand out from the other candidates after a job interview by sending a personalized letter to each member of the hiring committee, but avoid using the same verbiage for every correspondence. Touch on interesting details revealed about the company and the position during the job interview, and highlight your skills and qualifications that match what the position requires. Use this follow-up method as a way to convey your talents and experience to further illustrate that you are the best fit for the position.

When sending a written thank-you note or personalized email, use this opportunity to provide the interviewers with more information about your professional brand. Send a link to your online portfolio, LinkedIn profile or professional social media accounts, especially if you didn't already do so in your resume or cover letter. This additional information may help tip the scales in your favor when competition is fierce.

Following up is a great opportunity to add any crucial information you forgot to provide during the interview, and is yet another chance to showcase how well you fit the company culture and meet the requirements for the position. However, being too overzealous can quickly take you from being considered a great candidate to being considered a pest. Instead, show you're still interested in the position with creative follow-up methods that are firm but respectful.

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