Sometimes what you do after the interview is just as important as what you do to prepare.

Before a job interview, you probably spend hours preparing your responses, researching your potential employer and taking notes on the position. However, sometimes what you do after the interview is just as important as what you do to prepare.

Here are Travel Placement Service’s tips for following up with a hiring manager:

Ask for a timeline:

Before you leave the interview, politely ask the hiring manager about next steps and when he or she is hoping to make a decision. This will give you a good frame of reference for knowing when to follow up.

Compose a thank you note:

If you want to be hired, it is crucial that you send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. Although many see a follow-up email as a formality, a CareerBuilder survey revealed that 22 percent of managers said they were less likely to hire a candidate if they didn’t send a thank you note. Career counselors disagree about whether you should send an email or a written note, with some favoring email because it is faster and others recommending the written note because it could make a more lasting impression. Regardless of which option you choose, the key is to be timely. That way, you’re still on the minds of your interviewers and it’s easier for you to remember important details from your conversations. Be sure to write a note for each person with whom you interviewed.

Don’t be a pest: 

After you send the thank you note, wait before following up again. If the employer told you they were planning to decide within two weeks, reaching out again a week after your interview could work against you. Respect the timeline you were given.

If you are a professional in the travel industry looking for exciting new career opportunities, contact Travel Placement Service. We have spent decades matching qualified candidates with the industry’s top employers. Visit our website to learn more!