There's no doubt that job interviews can be tough, but what too few people realize is that that the difficulty exists on both sides of the interview desk.

Of course, for interviewees, nervousness can quickly take hold and cause panic, but for interviewers, there is a different type of pressure: finding the right candidate or risk hurting the company.

As the Interviewer

Interviewing potential employees may seem like an easy task at face value. After all, you're the decision-maker, so all you have to do is ask questions, right? Wrong!

As an interviewer, your job involves becoming a detective. You need to not just ask the right questions, but you also have to have the ability to analyze answers.

For example, you may ask, "Why do you want to work with our company?", but what you're really looking for is enthusiasm, true passion for the position, and more importantly, how this candidate's desire will impact the bottom line.

As the Interviewee

It's expected that you will be nervous, but in order to truly succeed in your job hunt, you will need to present yourself as someone who is not only confident, but also someone who understands the needs of the company to which you are applying.

This can be done through practicing with a friend, family member, or colleague.

You should also spend some serious time researching the company to which you are applying. Find out what makes it tick, find out why it exists, find out why it does what it does.

Having the answers to these questions will go a very long way in being able to answer questions in the interview confidently and passionately.

How to Follow up as an Interviewee

In the article, "What to Do After the Interview", it's recommended that you send a follow-up email to say thank you to your interviewer(s). In fact, many experts recommend sending a physical letter to your interviewer for a more personal approach. Whether interviewing for an I.T. position or another field, be consistent and put your best foot forward.

While it's fine to reach out on professional sites like LinkedIn, it would be unwise to try to connect on more personal social media, such as Facebook.

Finally, be patient.

You're undoubtedly anxious about how the interview went and the outcome, but pestering the interviewer or company repeatedly with update requests can ruin your chances.

Reach out to say thank you, leave it for two weeks, and then maybe one request for HR to receive and update. Anything beyond that can get you in trouble.

How to Follow up as an Interviewer

After the interview has concluded, take time to write down or type out your initial impressions. This is important to complete in a timely manner so that you're accurate.

Consider using a scoring system, but don't rely too heavily on it as it may not offer a complete picture of the candidate.

Finally, once a decision has been made, it is common courtesy to let all candidates know whether they were selected or not.

Otherwise, you leave them guessing, wondering, and hoping, and that is simply unprofessional.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author: Andrew Rusnak is an author who writes on topics that include corporate recruiting and career development.