You do all the prep and planning for your interview and it all pays off, you nailed it. Everything went great, but it’s been a few days and you haven’t heard back. Is it okay to follow-up? The answer in a nut shell is yes, you should definitely follow-up. But what is the best approach? There is no set “rules” when it comes to interview follow-up, however, you should approach the situation with certain professional etiquette. Below are the top do’s and don’ts of interview follow-up.

DO: Find Out Next Steps During the Interview

Before leaving the interview, make sure to ask the hiring manager when you should expect to hear something or what is an appropriate amount of time before you should follow-up. If the hiring manager does not give you a specific amount of time before you should hear back, a good rule of thumb is to wait at least 3 days before reaching out. You can do this a total of 3 times (wait 3 days, contact..etc.) before it’s probably time to move onto other opportunities.

DON’T: Go Over The Top To Get Their Attention

Do not make any grand gestures like sending flowers or cheesecake in order to get the hiring managers attention. As creative as this sounds, it actually can make you look a little desperate which can be a turn off for some hiring managers. It is hard not to second guess yourself when you don’t hear back immediately but the best thing you can do is have confidence in yourself and what you presented at the interview.

DO: Send a SHORT Thank You Card or Email

Once you have waited an appropriate amount of time after the interview, your first follow-up should be in the form of a short thank you card or email. Let them know you appreciate them taking the time to meet with you and would love to be apart of their team if they see fit. Be sure to keep it brief and to the point. This will bring you back to the forefront of their minds if you aren’t there already.

DON’T: Let Your Feelings Show in Your Correspondence

It can be frustrating and a little scary waiting for an answer to a position you really want, but keep in mind that the hiring process is just that, a process. It takes time to get through all the interviews and make a final decision. Try not to take it personally. Just because you have not heard back does not mean you are out of the running, in fact, it may mean the opposite. Take a deep breath, don’t jump to conclusions and speak like a professional. If you have waited the appropriate amount of time before reaching out, it is okay to ask if a final decision has been made. Regardless of the answer, keep things as professional as possible. You never know when you may need to reconnect with them in the future.

There are no set “rules” when following-up after an interview. But following these “do’s and don’ts” will help you stay calm and professional throughout the hiring process. Even if you do not get the position, you want to be sure to leave the door open for further opportunities in the future. Keeping a certain follow-up etiquette will allow you to remain in good standing with your interviewer and possibly win you the job.