How to follow up on an interview without seeming desperate

We've all been through that phase where we did exceptionally well at a job interview and then waited endlessly to hear back from the employer. The wait is especially filled with anxiety when you've applied for your dream job. In such a scenario, following up without coming across as desperate can seem tricky. There is a very fine line between appearing enthusiastic and being overly aggressive. If you've applied and interviewed for a position at a company and you're waiting to hear back from them, here are some tactics you can keep in mind for following up without seeming desperate.

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Ask what comes next

Immediately after your interview is over, ask your interviewer about an appropriate time to follow up with them. If he says that he will be contacting candidates within a week, wait it out. If it's already been a week and you haven't heard from him, start by dropping a mail. Asking the interviewer about a suitable date to follow up not only gives you a time frame, but it also lets the interviewer know that you're looking forward to hear from him.

Send a thank-you mail

After you've completed your interview, wait for a few hours and send a thank you mail to the HR who was in touch with you. This email will ensure that you don't fade away from their minds after your interview. Treat this email as your final opportunity to market yourself but keep it concise. Demonstrating how well you fit in with the company culture and how excited you were to interact with the key players of the organisation can be a few points you can touch on while drafting this email.

Connect via LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the ultimate marketplace to network with industry experts. Hence, if you want to build a professional long-term relationship with your employer, here's where you should start. If you don't want to ambush the interviewer by sending a request, you can always come up with a logical reason for connecting with them. For example, if you're discussing certain ideas during the interview and you read an article about a brand who implemented similar ideas, you can always tell the interviewer that you can share the article with them via LinkedIn.

Make a phone call

Only when things have really stretched out and you have no clue as to what's going on is it appropriate to pick up the phone and call the employer. You can make the call after your email has elicited no response whatsoever. Even then, wait for a few days to pass after sending the email. Don't call more than once unless you're instructed to call back after the first time.

Coming across as a pest and being overly intrusive can ruin whatever little chance you have at landing the job. Even if you don't get the job, ask for valuable feedback from the person who interviewed you as it can help you with another interview down the track.