Blog Post: Hiring Managers: Follow-up, especially with those you interview.

When a job seeker sits through a seminar or reads an article on all the "right" things to do when seeking employment, quite possibly the most important action he or she can take after the interview is to follow-up. It is so commonly coached and trained to follow-up with anyone you interview with a hand written letter, email or phone call. To go even further, some get very creative with flowers, fruit baskets or cookies just to name a few, all done to be the "one" who stands out among the countless faces the company will see in the competitive battle to get the job.

Someone once told me that follow-up in any relationship, professionally or personally is one of the top actions a person can take that will ensure success. That was very profound to me as it was true in all things, be it family or professional, customers or potential customers as well as sales leads of course. Even in some of most well known sales training classes, books, and videos follow up is always an action step you simply cannot ignore. Automated follow-up reminders tools are even built into all the best sales tracking software and tracking systems. In sales we all know that most of the time the sell does not get closed on the first visit, but not until after many times of follow-up and good relationship building.

So, what's happening with the follow-up when the table is turned back on the recruiters, hiring managers, and human resources professionals who usually facilitate the entire hiring process? It seems that after looking back on my own professional flaws as a hiring manager as well as what I have seen seen by countless other hiring managers, job seekers, and my own experience as a job seeker, I have been shocked at the severe lack of follow-up back to job applicants, especially after being interviewed. Have you ever come across a candidate you interviewed fro the past who later in your career you met in person and they asked you what happen? Have you ever had to apologize to someone for not getting back to them, whether personal or professional? If you have, don't worry you're not alone. If not you've probably been very lucky, especially if you find yourself frequenting job fairs. Regardless, it still sends quite a message doesn't it?

My goal for all hiring professionals who read this is to encourage you to make it an absolute duty to add "follow-up" with all interviewed candidates with a least an email to let them know where you stand. If you are not planning on moving forward with them, let them know with a short note by email. If you are going to take longer than you had originally told them in the interview to get back to them, let them know with a simple email or phone call.  It doesn't matter who they are, qualified or not, worth something in your mind or not, they could be a very good member of your network or acquaintances some day, you never know. Treat all people how you would like to be treated, (sounds a little like the golden rule doesn't it?) Remember follow-up is one of the very basic actions you must take when you are a business professional.

As a Business professional I know how busy we all get, but regardless, follow-up and follow through with what you commit to or to support the theme of this article...with those you have interviewed should be just as important a reason to follow-up as a good sales lead and is a crucial part of your success in business and life.

Here are a couple of simple tips on best practices to following up with those you have interviewed.

1. First of all create templates in Word format to cut and paste into an email. The letter or email message can be as simple as the following:

January  24, 2008

Dear :

Thank you for your interest in the position now available at Widgets, Inc. We have had the opportunity to review your resume and regret to inform you that we have chosen to pursue other candidates whose skills, background, and education more closely match our needs.

We will keep your resume on file for and will contact you in the future if a position becomes available that more closely matches your qualifications.

Again, we appreciate your interest in . We wish you the best of luck in your job search.

Sincerely,

John Doe, Hiring Manager

2. If you are in a very high turnover business, you may also consider creating post cards with essentially the same message. However on the reverse side be creative. Put an advertisement about your company or another partnering company. Maybe think about having a coupon on it. Remember, they may still be customers of your in the future.

3. You may consider referring qualified candidates in sage manner to others in your network in the case your network may be another source of job leads for them, (every lead helps when you are seeking employment.)

4. Make a quick phone call. I know emails are so convenient these days, but some prefer just to make a phone call to "get it over with." If you do this use the same wording as above and don't get into details unless you know what you are doing. Make sure you do not in any way create an impression of any kind of discrimination. Most applicants will respect and appreciate your phone call very much as closure or an update on status of position. 

In close, I challenge you all, moving forward into 2008 to make a commitment to yourselves and within your teams to make follow-up and follow through a top priority, especially if your part of the hiring process. If you follow-up and do it diligently I can assure you that you will notice the improvements in your rapport with others significantly.

May you and yours have a Happy Holiday Season and a successful New Year!