In the throes of a job search it is easy and tempting to forget the little details that can mean the difference between further consideration or not including:
Send thank you letters.
These should be personalized, so get the proper name and title of everyone you meet – collect business cards with each interview for this reason. You should write a follow up thank you to everyone you meet, not just the most senior person or the person with whom you had the best rapport. This is your professional face forward so be sure to write an engaging and thoughtful response, and of course, to check grammar and spelling.
Return calls in a timely manner. Same day is ideal and no longer than next business day is acceptable. If you are going to be away longer than that, leave some indication on your outgoing voicemail. If you don’t want to leave vacation plans on a home machine, direct callers to a number where you can be reached if it’s urgent. (If you decide to take cell phone calls on vacation, make sure you can be professional on the call. Otherwise you’re better off letting it go to voicemail.)