You did all of the prep work for your interview and you feel like it went well. So now what? Just because the interview is over, that doesn’t mean that your work is done.

If you really want the position, you need to remain active. Here are 3 follow up steps that will help increase the odds of you receiving a call back for a second interview or getting a job offer.

Show Your Appreciation

Aside from interviewing and hiring candidates for positions within the company, managers have their hands full with a slew of other tasks in a day. They have office schedules to maintain, meetings, corrective actions and so much more. It may have taken a lot for them to make time in their busy schedule for an interview, and they chose you. After an interview, leave a positive impression with each hiring manager by giving a note of “Thanks”. Show that you appreciate their time. This will allow you to be first in their mind and leave a warm feeling about you as a possible choice for their position.

Notify your References

If a hiring manager is interested in a candidate, they will pursue more information to assess if they are a good fit before scheduling a second interview. This is where your references come in. Let your references know that you had an interview and to be expecting a call and give them the number of the office or hiring manager. This will allow them to prepare a few things to say about you in anticipation and also to be looking for the call. Some people do not feel comfortable answering unknown calls, so having the number will increase the chances of them picking up.

Professional Follow Up

If you feel the interview went well, you have left a thank you card or email and have notified your references then the next step is to follow the protocol set out in the interview. If you were given a set amount of time before the hiring manager makes their decision (by Friday, for example) then you don’t want to call over and over before that time. However, once that time has passed, it is acceptable to call and follow up on a decision.

If there is not a set amount of time they have given, you still want to allow them a few days to make considerations, call references and possibly get an offer in place and approved. If you have not heard anything in a few days then a follow up email or call is appropriate. Simply thanking them again for their time and asking if there is anything else they need from you will help keep you at the forefront of their mind.

The wait after an interview can be almost as stressful as the interview itself. But having a solid follow up plan will help you to stay focused, active and ready to land a second interview or that coveted job offer you are working towards.