Ways To Follow Up After A Job Interview
Whats the best way to follow up after a job interview?
- First, write a thank you note to the hiring manager no later than a day after. Keep it short and sweet, but mention one specific thing that you learned about their organization.
- If you dont hear back by the date they said theyd have a decision by, dont panic. Wait a week, and if its still radio silence, follow up with a short note expressing your excitement about the role.
- Finally, if you dont get the job, you can send one last note asking for feedback. Who knows, it may teach you something and lead to better opportunities down the line.
Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here.
Much of the job application process involves waiting. You check job postings and wait for new opportunities that match your skills and interests. You put together a cover letter and a resume, send them off, and wait to hear about a possible interview. If you land an interview, you prepare, give it your best shot, and then you wait for a response.
The closer you get to an actual offer, the more anxious you get to hear more. That anxiety creates anticipation and energy. When you are energized, you want to act.
But dont. Wait. You need to be smart about how and when you follow up at this stage.
There are, however, a few exceptions to this waiting rule. More specifically, there are four times when it may actually be in your best interest to shoot the hiring manager a note.
Dear ,
Dear ,
Dear ,
Dear ,
- AM
Sample College Interview Thank You Note #1
Dear ,
I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with an alumnus about the impressive and diverse school that is . I remain enthusiastic about attending and becoming involved in the student body. Speaking of involvement, I looked into the you mentioned and am impressed by the positive impact the group has made on sustainability at the school. Its a testament to just how driven and innovative the universitys students can be. Thank you for sharing that with me and for the opportunity to interview. Please let me know if there is any additional information that I can offer.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
The sample thank you note above begins and ends with gratitude. It referenced a specific detail from the interview and emphasized the candidates interest in attending the university. For a different approach with similar core components, read the sample letter below.
Quick Tips For Writing The Perfect Follow
It goes without saying that your interview follow-up should be as perfect as possible if you want to land the job. While a good follow-up might not help much if your interview didnt go well or you and the hiring manager didnt click, a bad one could hurt your chances. Heres how to avoid big blunders:
- Reread, reread, reread. Before pressing send, make sure your email is error free. Can we recommend using a handy AI communication assistant?
- Get feedback. If possible, have someone with a good business mind read your email and give you feedback.
- Keep it positive. Use a tool like Tone Analyzer to make sure your email is conveying the right emotions.
- Keep it a little formal. It is generally better to start an email with Dear Bob rather than Hi Bob. Log out with Sincerely. Use your best judgment: Startups that dont play by the rules and companies with laid-back cultures are exceptions to those rules.
- Be brief. Recruiters get a lot of emails. Stick to the topic and try to make an impact with two or three well-written paragraphs.
- Read again! Seriously. Have you checked that you spelled the name of the hiring manager and the company name correctly? Careless mistakes could cost you the job, so be thorough.
Have you used any unique follow-up strategies that have helped you land a job? We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments.
See more new articles in category: blogs
Read Also: How To Call References After Interview
Long Interview Thank You Email
In the long version, you have more opportunities to explain your skills in detail . This is appropriate after an in-person interview or other meaningful interactions during the hiring process.
Subject line: Thank you for your time
Dear Mr. Jefferson,
Thank you very much for your time yesterdayit was a pleasure speaking with you about the account executive role. From our conversation, its clear that ABC Inc. has the energetic and hardworking environment Im seeking.
I especially enjoyed discussing your need for someone who can create value and insight during client conversations. Its an interesting challenge, and Ive continued reflecting on it since our meeting. Over the last few years, Ive encountered many of the same roadblocks we discussed: tightening client budgets and lengthy decision-making processes. Prioritizing the quality of the conversation over simple information delivery has been one of my most successful tactics in overcoming those roadblocks and one reason Ive routinely exceeded my quotas.
In my relationships with clients, I focus on building trust and boosting credibility, and Im excited about the prospect of bringing that skill set to ABC Inc. If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me by email or phone.
Thanks again,555-555-5555
What Are Email Follow
Email follow-ups are professional messages sent to check in on the status of a pending transaction, contract or engagement. There are a number of scenarios that might prompt someone to send an email follow-up, including:
- Checking the status of a job application or interview
- Confirming a networking relationship
- Following up on a sale or other kind of marketing conversion
You May Like: How To Conduct A Professional Interview
Start By Choosing The Right Subject Line
The best subject lines in your follow-up email are clear, concise and convey appreciation for your interviewers time.
Here are the best interview follow-up email example subject lines:
- Thank you for your time,
- Great speaking with you today!
- Thank you for the opportunity
- Thank you!
- I appreciate your time and advice
-
Follow up regarding
What To Include In Your Follow
It’s important to be disciplined when sending your follow-up email. Follow this guide for a simple, professional message that gives you the best chance of receiving a response.
Subject line
There is no need to spend hours deliberating over a snappy subject line. The most effective approach that is likely to get your message opened quickly, is to respond to the most recent email between you and the interviewer or HR manager. If this isn’t possible simply include your name, the date and time of the interview.
As a guide, follow this format:
John Smith – Re: Interview on Tuesday at 4pm
Introduction
If you’re on first-name terms with the person you’re contacting – you may have exchanged multiple emails and spoken face to face by this point, then it is fine to open your follow-up email by using their first name. If not, or if you’re unsure, stick with their title and surname .
Body text
Keep it simple. Presumably, the main reason you’re emailing is for a progress update – the interviewer will know this before they’ve even opened your message. Be polite but direct:
- Thank them for their time in the interview.
- Explain that you’re following up on your interview – remember to be specific about the job, mentioning the job title and interview date.
- Restate your interest in the position and say you’re keen to hear about next steps.
- Ask for a progress update, explaining that any information they can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Signing off
Final checks
Read Also: How To Prepare For A Cyber Security Interview
Follow Up Email After A Networking Event
Here is one thing to always have in the back of your mind when writing follow-up emails. No one loves emails. It is necessary, but no one enjoys dealing with them.
That is why your focus should be making it as friendly and relaxing as possible whenever you are writing a follow-up email. Follow-up emails after a networking event are a great chance to do that.
In this sample, the author takes the recipients mind back to a fun memory before diving into the point of their email. Thats good. It says, this is not about work. This is a potential friend.
The second paragraph is pretty standard, but the third keeps things interesting by leveraging a previous discussion. A+.
Lastly, by attaching their resume, you give the recipient additional information to make a decision.
Craft A Strong Follow
Email subject lines are important because they determine whether your email gets opened, and how quickly.
I recommend following up with whoever said theyd been in touch after your interview, or if youre not sure, follow up with whoever you were emailing to scheduling the interview.
The person who scheduled your interview is a good person to follow up with to check the status of interview feedback.
The best way to write a subject line for a follow-up email is to simply reply to the latest email thread and leave the previous subject line.
For example, lets say that this was the previous email subject line:
Interview on Thursday at 10:00 AM
You should hit reply in your email program and then the subject line will look like this:
Re: Interview on Thursday at 10:00 AM
Continuing with the existing email thread and leaving the subject line as-is will boost your emails chances of getting opened faster.
The recipient will open your follow-up email because its clear what the email is about .
If you dont have a previous email to reply to, then choose one of the following subject lines for your interview follow-up email:
- Job interview follow-up
- Following up regarding interview results
Also Check: How To Have A Good Job Interview
Follow Up Email To Promote A Single Benefit
Not every one of your follow-up emails has to be an exhaustive list of the benefits the prospect client stands to gain from your solution. Sometimes, it is okay to zero in on the most relevant value proposition.
This strategy is best after two or three follow-up emails, and there are a couple of advantages to it.
One. Keeping things shorter. As the follow-up emails increase, this keeps you from becoming a nuisance. It can be hard to shake off a negative impression once it is formed.
Two. This is the most critical advantage and it is far more compelling. Dont talk about your product or company or yourself. Just that precious benefit.
Of course, this only works if you do substantive research on your recipient or company.
How To End Your Thank You Email
Use a formal closing like this
Best Regards,Jim Jones
Close with your full name, not just Jim if your name is Jim Jones. Other acceptable email closings include:
Best,
About the author
Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff graduate who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at and on , .
Also Check: What To Wear To A Victoria’s Secret Pink Interview
Thank You After Interview Email Best Practices
Here are some general best practices for writing your interview thank you message:
- Send the email within a few hours of the interview.
- Be polite and professional in your language.
- Highlight things you liked about the job, company, culture, and mission statementMission StatementA mission statement defines what line of business a company is in, and why it exists or what purpose it serves.. (You can use this opportunity to elicit a reply to your email by turning things around by writing, Id be interested to hear what you think are the companys core values.
- Mention your skills and strengths that best match the job opportunity and what you learned from the interview about what the company is most looking for from the person who is ultimately chosen to fill the position.
- Dont appear overconfident by sounding as if you just assume that you got the job.
- Be sure to actually say the words, thank you.
- Offer to answer any additional or follow-up questions the interviewer may have.
Email #: Close The Loop
Hi Amy,
Wanted to give you an update: I did end up talking to Susan, and you were right Acme is definitely a fit for me. Im reaching out to a friend there to learn all I can about Acme before I apply. If theres anyone else you think I should speak to, please let me know.
Thanks again! Ill let you know how it goes.
John
Now is when you separate yourself from 99.999% of people by showing the person youre emailing that you actually took action on what they suggested.
If you give specific names of people and companies, thatll show you were listening. Itll also show the person youre emailing that they were right which is a major psychological boost for them.
Just like my Briefcase Technique, this system seems simple and obvious until you use it. Then its true power is revealed.
And its incredibly effective. Check out this email I got from a reader who used the Closing the Loop Technique to help him get a job.
Hey Ramit,
One more testimonial to the Closing The Loop technique that you taught last night. I reached out to a prior boss I havent seen in 4 to 5 years about a position I heard about at that company. All I had asked for was if I could still use him as a reference and his up-to-date contact info. He responded in less than a half-hour. By following up and offering to keep him in the loop, he then responded with an offer for a letter of recommendation and an offer to send a personal email to the hiring manager on my behalf. Holy Crap! It really works
-Greg H.
Don’t Miss: How To Crack Google Software Engineer Interview
Collect Contact Information Before You Need It
After the interview and before you even consider rushing home to draft that perfect follow-up email, make sure you do one thing: Grab the business cards or contact information of everyone you spoke to.
And I. Mean. EVERYONE.
Was there someone who screened you on the phone before you got the interview? Get their email.
Was there a panel of interviewers? Get all of their contact info.
Did a receptionist escort you to a waiting area and grab you a glass of water before your interview? Grab her business card too.
I cant think of a single employer who wouldnt LOVE it if their receptionist told them about the awesome interviewee who emailed them to thank them for helping them that day. They could also be your future coworker, so its an easy way to start building a great relationship.
The little details go a long way when it comes to the follow-up.
Example Email: Portfolio Included/forgot To Mention During The Interview
This is a good email to use to give more information to hiring managers to aid in their , or in case you forgot to mention something during your interview.
This type of follow-up email gives you the chance to remind employers of your skills, qualifications, and, again, how awesome you are.
Ms. Frizzle,
I would like to thank you again for meeting with me to discuss the opening you currently have at your company. It was a pleasure to meet with you and your staff, and I would welcome the opportunity to work with such a team.
In addition to the that I could bring to the role, I am an experienced team player with enthusiasm for group assignments. I am confident that as a member of your team, I could exceed your expectations.
If more time had been available during the interview, I would have liked to go into detail about my responsibilities and accomplishments at . As a helpful resource, I have enclosed a portfolio that highlights my experience in . If you feel that my skills align with the needs of the company, feel free to contact me for further discussion.
Best regards,
Don’t Miss: What To Ask Interviewer After Interview
What To Say In Your Thank You Email
Seek to connect with the interviewer with this message. If something you said seemed to resonate with that interviewer perhaps something you shared about one of your achievements or information you learned about one of their competitors include a brief statement related to that topic in your message.
If you did connect with the interviewer about something, from sports, schools, or a passion for recycling to movies, music, or an interest in cats, insert a reference to that connection in your thank you note to help the interviewer remember you.
Highlight any strength or qualification you have that was emphasized in the job description and/or the interview, particularly if you dont think the interviewer understood your strength in that area.
Demonstrate your skill in business communications by writing a note as you would email a potential customer or client.
Do not try to be cute or funny, unless those skills are required for the job.
