Congratulations! You made it through the interview process and are now eagerly awaiting news on whether or not you landed the job. While waiting for a response, it’s important to keep in mind that following up after a job interview is crucial. So what's the most effective way to do it?
Why is Following Up Important?
Following up after an interview shows that you are interested and enthusiastic about the position, and it can set you apart from other candidates who may not take the initiative to do so. Additionally, it can help keep you top of mind with the hiring manager, which is especially important if there are several strong candidates in consideration. In today’s digital age, email is the most common and convenient method of following up.
What to Include
When crafting your follow-up note, be sure to:
- Thank the Interviewer: Begin by thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview for the position.
- Reiterate Your Interest: Reiterate your interest in the position and why you think you would be a good fit. This is a great opportunity to remind the interviewer of your strengths and qualifications.
- Address Any Concerns: If there were any concerns or questions that came up during the interview, be sure to address them in your note. This can help put the interviewer’s mind at ease and demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations.
- Provide Additional Information: If there were any questions that you weren’t able to answer fully during the interview, or if you think of additional information that would be relevant to the position, include it in your note.
- Close with Enthusiasm: Close your note by expressing your enthusiasm for the position and the opportunity to join the team.
Other Tips
Get that thank you email to stand out.
- Send Your Note Promptly: Send your follow-up note within 24-48 hours of the interview. This shows that you are interested and proactive.
- Personalize Your Note: Personalize your note by referencing specific points from the interview. This can help demonstrate your attention to detail and your ability to connect with others.
- Proofread Your Note: Be sure to proofread your note carefully for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-written note can leave a positive impression, while a poorly written one can have the opposite effect.
- Be Patient: After sending your note, be patient and give the hiring manager time to review all of the candidates. If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, it’s okay to send a brief follow-up email to check in.
- Don't be a Pest: While it's important to follow up, you don't want to come across as pushy or desperate. One or two follow-up emails or phone calls are sufficient. If you don't receive a response after that, it's best to move on and continue your job search.:
Following up after a job interview is important for demonstrating your interest in the position and keeping yourself top of mind with the hiring manager. Crafting a strong follow-up note will give you an additional edge in the interview process.
