Besides sending a thank-you letter, there are other ways to follow up with the person who interviewed you and keep your name in the forefront of her mind. For example, at the close of your interview, you may have been able to secure a time when you could call her. Or you may have said something like, “You told me you wanted to hire someone who could do x, y, and z. Well, I've demonstrated in the past I can do this, and I think I'm a perfect fit for the job. Is it all right if I call you, say, next Wednesday to see if you've come to any decision yet?” If your interviewer agrees, you've put the power in your hands and you gain control of the situation.

However, if your interviewer is evasive or if you never got the chance to make this little closing speech, there are still ways to follow up. The key to doing this successfully is not to appear too pushy or anxious. Allow enough time for the interviewer to receive and read your thank-you letter.

If, after ten days, you still have not heard anything about the job, you should feel free to get in touch with the interviewer again (unless, of course, the person told you ahead of time that no decision would be made for at least another month or so).

A great way to follow up with an interviewer—though there are only certain circumstances in which this could apply—is if, during the course of your interview, the interviewer provided any possibilities for a follow-up conversation. For example, if the interviewer suggested a book you might enjoy or told you to check out a recent magazine article, this allows you the perfect excuse to call. Call and thank the interviewer for the recommendation and mention how much you learned from the piece or how much you enjoyed it.

A word of caution: if you were lucky enough to have been afforded this great way of following up, be sure to read the book or article that the interviewer mentioned. Calling two hours after the interview to tell the person how much you enjoyed reading War and Peace is not likely to win you any points.