By Sean Joyner – Archinet

In a previous article here on Archinect we looked at 6 important tips on following up after a job interview. And that’s the thing many forget to do: Simply to follow up. Especially in our job market today, where work is more in demand and opportunities are limited, following up in the proper manner is a crucial component in your job search endeavors. So make sure to review the previously mentioned resource to ensure you’re following up with the best things in mind.

So, aside from how to follow up, let’s look at some reasons why it’s crucial to follow up.

It shows your professional courtesy

One of the things we cover in our how-to piece is the importance of sending a prompt thank you to the employer you’ve met with. This is key. When you reach out to express your gratitude for the interview, a prospective employer invited you to, shows your professionalism and recognition of the significance of having made it to this point in the hiring process. I’ve been on hiring teams before and when someone comes in to interview and we don’t hear anything from them afterward, they are often forgotten. But if another candidate follows up with a professional email of thanks and eagerness to move forward in the process, it leaves a lasting impression

It tells the employer that the opportunity means something to you

We follow up on things that matter to us. When an employer recognizes your commitment to learning more about their job opportunity, it makes an impression. Sometimes your diligence to check-in and pursue the job can even sway the hiring team in your favor (the keyword here is “sometimes”). I have been in meetings where the principals of the firm have commented on a candidate’s consistency and enthusiasm to join the team. This comes with a caveat though: there is a fine line between being professional and enthusiastic and being irritating and annoying. You want to be the former.

You reduce the risk of being forgotten

As with all career pursuits, every situation is different. When you’re going for a position with a large pool of other candidates who have been interviewed, the risk of being forgotten can increase. Following up can often provide a subtle reminder to the hiring team that you’re still looking for a new opportunity and that you are still in the game. There can be opportunities with hiring processes that take months and if you went in for an interview at the beginning of that timeline, those who come after you naturally occupy a fresher picture in the minds of the hiring team. A great way to capitalize on this is to establish a kind of “digital friendliness” with one of the hiring managers over email. Again, remember the dichotomy of irritation versus professionalism.