The road to your dream job doesn't end with the interview. Don't forget to follow up with a great thank you note! 

If you had a dream interview with a potentially wonderful interviewer, you know you are perfect for the job, and you sent a handwritten Thank You note, you've done well so far. If you haven't received a response yet, you're probably eager to know where you stand. Remember, there are potentially tens if not hundreds of applicants vying for the same job. You could call, but the hirer probably will not answer the phone and Human Resources will only give you a generic response. There's one more tactic you can use to keep your candidacy alive, because most applicants don't do this: About a week after the interview, send a Follow-Up Note.

You have two choices for the Follow Up note.

Option one: 

Dear [Contact Name],

I am following up with you in regards to an application recently submitted for the position of [Job Title]. After thoroughly reviewing the details of the position as well as information regarding your organization, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my interest in the position.

I would love the opportunity to work with your organization and I believe my skills and experience would make me an ideal candidate for the position.  I am a diligent, motivated professional and I am confident I would be an asset to your team. If you would like me to provide any other information, please let me know. I would be more than happy to clarify my applicable skill sets, assuring you of my potential to excel within this position.

[Optional: Please review the attached cover letter and resume and let me know when we might be able to speak in more detail].  Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Option two: 

Find an article in a printed newspaper (or print out an online article—just make sure it looks good) that pertains to something you talked about during the interview. The article can be job related or not—it doesn't matter—just make sure it's current. Send that article with a handwritten note to the interviewer:

Dear [Interviewer's Name],

I saw the enclosed article and thought of our conversation about [topic here]. Isn't it interesting that [fill in comment here].

I would love the opportunity to work with your organization and I believe my skills and experience make me an ideal candidate for the position.

Best,

Applicant

See the difference? With the second option, you show you are still thinking about that great interview and that great job. Just like you don't want to be one of many applicants, the interviewer doesn't want to be one of many job possibilities. It works both ways.

If you want to write a second note, wait about two weeks and then find another (current!) article about the same subject or another subject you two discussed. Again, hand write the note. You'll probably get some sort of response.

The follow-up note is an easy and profound gesture, yet very few candidates will write one. With the focused handwritten follow-up note, you show intent, follow-through, and genuine interest. And the company is sure to notice that.

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