5 Ways to Not Follow Up

After your interview, it's very important to follow up with the interviewer. This simple act shows that you are serious about your interest in the job and gives you a chance to speak with the interviewer again, and remind them of how perfect you are for the job. A follow up can be a phone call, a thoughtful email or letter. In fact, it's important to send a thank you note, and then another follow up contact. A good follow up can pull you out of the list of runner-ups and get you the job.

However, there are plenty of ways to not follow up. Some applicants take the follow up process to far, and end up ruining their chances of being hired. Some hiring managers have funny stories to tell about receiving FedEx packages, singing telegrams and other inappropriate communications after an interview. Although I'm sure that they were trying to make themselves stand out, all they accomplished was negative attention.
 

Here are 5 ways to not follow up:

Talking too much - If you call or send an email, keep it brief. Especially if you are leaving a voice mail message; don't go on and on. I know that leaving messages can be a high anxiety experience for most people, but it's important to know what you want to say before you call. If you're worried about running on at the mouth, it's a good idea to write down what you want to say ahead of time. This way, you'll be sure to give all the information.

Sending unprofessional emails - If the interviewer has emailed you, you probably have them in your contacts. Just because you have their email address doesn't mean that you should start including them in chain letters and kitten pictures you send to your friends. Also, make sure that your email address is professional before you send them anything.

Being aggressive - Of course you want to be seen as a go-getter, but behaving in a threatening or aggressive manner is never okay. This includes being flirty, sexually suggestive, calling repeatedly, sending daily email or even threatening the interviewer. If you aren't happy that you didn't get a job offer, there is no benefit to leave the conversation with hard feelings. Don't make accusations or take it personally.

Being mean - If you apply for a job and don't hear anything back, it's really frustrating. Looking for a job is hard on the ego and the self-esteem. Still, no matter how irritated you are that you haven't heard anything, don't be mean. Sending an angry follow up doesn't serve any purpose and will rule you out for the job, not to mention that it can damage your professional reputation as well.

Not checking your spelling - If you're going to send a follow up letter or email, check your spelling. Remember, you are trying to show how professional you are and how well you would do the job. Instead, you will be demonstrating several reason why you aren't a professional and showing that you don't pay attention to details.


Bonus-

Not following up at all - You might be scared to follow up, and worried that you will be bugging the interviewer. If you aren't willing to take a chance and follow up on the job, then you are basically saying that you don't want it. It would be a shame to go through the trouble of finding a job opening, applying for it and going to the interview, only to drop the ball at the end. Follow up every time. It's expected.