A Free Script for a Follow Up Call

I've been having quite a lot of interviews lately, and in each one there is usually a preliminary phone screening or art test followed by an in-person interview. But, there can be a delay between each. If you are finding yourself without a response from an HR manager that you talked to during your initial phone screening, then you will want to check back with them so that you can show your interest and initiative for the job. In the past, it may have been okay to just wait it out and let them contact you. In the current times, with all of the bustling competition, it is almost required to check back in about the status of your interview to separate yourself. It is just as required as a thank you letter after an in-person interview. Some good etiquette for a call back:

• Don't call back too soon. At least three days should be given so that the HR manager can sort through other applicants and make sure to have the team review your details. I prefer to wait even longer--at least a week--because I know that in this industry time flies and everyone is usually so busy and there is so many other applicants that you don't want to agitate them by calling too soon. It's better to call too late than to soon, in my opinion: by that time, you may have heard something back anyway.
• Be polite. Make sure to keep a positive and pleasant mood the entire time regardless of how flaky the person you are talking to may be.
• Talk to the person that you talked to originally. If they called you from their cell phone, call them back on their cell phone. Don't call outside of business hours (usually 9AM-5PM). If you get a receptionist or the only phone number you got was the HR manager, then ask to be transferred to the actual hiring manager that you spoke to (this is only if you already had the in-person interview). If you just had the initial phone screening, then you should be talking to the HR manager or whoever contacted you.
• Have a script ready, so that you keep the conversation short and simple and to make sure that you ask all that you wanted. Here is the script that you can use:

Follow Up Phone Call Script

1. This is [Your Name] calling you back. We had an interview for the [Position Name] last Wednesday (or whichever day you talked to them).
2. I am intrigued by the work that your studio does and the games it works on, such as [Game Name] (this part is just some sort of compliment as to why you like the studio and reiterate that it would be a good fit for you. Make it sincere).
3. I would like to know if there has been any decision made?
4. [If there has been no decision made] Are you still considering my application? (only if you feel comfortable with this one. You may want to wait to say this until it has been a few follow-up calls later).
5. Will it be okay for me to call again within a few days, to see how the process is going?
6. Again, thank you for your time.

*Note: This conversation begins and ends with a thank you. You want this so that you show that you are serious about having a good mood and impression about the position

*Note 2: It is very likely that the HR manager will not answer your call. Many times, the HR department may not answer calls they don't know. They will especially not answer your call if they remember your number and this is more likely if you check in too soon. In this case, you will want to leave a message on their answering machine. It is still preferable that you talk to them in person, though, so it may be worth waiting until the next day to call in and see if they pick up. You don't want to be making multiple calls with no message, though, so if you attempt multiple calls in the same day and they never pick up, make sure to leave a message on the last one.

This strategy has to be the least-utilized of all when applying for a job. That is more reason for you to use it, because other applicants are not even considering it. This one call may be the deciding factor for the employer, if you were previously on the fence about a decision. So use it!

-Ken

http://work.chron.com/proper-way-call-back-after-interview-2720.html