Nailing the interview is only half the battle. Following up with a thoughtful and well-crafted message can be the key to securing your dream job. In fact, a strong follow-up strategy can increase your chances of getting hired by up to 30%. And it doesn’t need to be hard or complicated. Follow up after an interview (using a little bit of effort and a lot of personality), so you can stand out from the crowd and land that job.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll be sharing with you my top tips and effective strategies for following up after your interview. From crafting the perfect thank-you note (template included!) to making a great impression following-up via email, phone or LinkedIn, you’ll learn everything you need to know to stay top of mind with potential employers. Let’s get strategizing!
Table of Contents
Thank-You Note
How to Craft the Perfect Thank-You Email to Follow up After an Interview
Sending a thank-you note after your job interview can be a powerful way to stand out from other candidates and leave a lasting impression on potential employers. It’s an opportunity to show your appreciation for the interview, demonstrate your attention to detail, and highlight your professionalism. Taking the time to craft a thoughtful thank-you note can make all the difference in the job search process, so make sure to put in the effort and make it count.
When writing a thank-you note, start by expressing your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration. Be specific about what you enjoyed most about the interview and what you learned about the company or role. You can also reiterate your interest in the position and how you think your skills and experience would be a great fit for the role. Remember to keep your tone professional and sincere, and avoid going overboard with flattery or exaggeration. Lastly, before sending it out proofread your thank-you note carefully and ensure that it is free of any typos or grammatical errors.
Here’s a template you can use:
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the [Position] role. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the company and position.
One of the things that stuck with me was [specific detail]. It was great to hear about [something you learned about the company or role] and it really confirmed my interest in being part of a team that is passionate about [something related to the company’s mission].
I’m excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to the role. I’m confident that I can make a meaningful contribution to the team and help drive [specific objective or goal of the company].
Thank you again for the time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you further.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
While the template can provide a helpful framework, it’s important to put your own spin so you don’t sound like everyone else. Use it as a starting point, but personalize it to make it your own. To do so:
- mention specific details from the interview or conversations you had with the interviewer, and
- tailor your language to fit the company’s tone and culture. Bonus points if you use language your interviewers used during the interview.
Email Follow-Up
The Art of Sending the Perfect Email Follow-Up
A couple of days after your job interview, it’s a good idea to send a follow-up email to ask for feedback, reiterate your interest in the position and stay top of mind with potential employers. By checking in with the employer, you demonstrate your proactive approach and dedication to the opportunity. When done right, it can leave a positive impression on the hiring team and keep you on their radar.
When sending an email follow-up, keep your email brief and to the point, and avoid bombarding the interviewer with too much information. Remember that their time is valuable, so be respectful of their schedule.
In the email you want to respectfully ask for any feedback on the interview process and reiterate your interest in the position. You can also use the email follow-up to provide any additional information that may be relevant to the position. This could be anything from a link to a relevant article or blog post to a portfolio of your work. However, avoid sending too many links, as this can come across as spammy. Finally, make sure to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration, and express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview with them.
Here’s a template you can use:
Hi [Name],
I hope you are well.
I’m following up to see if there are any updates regarding the [Job title] role I interviewed for on [Date].
I’m still very excited about the opportunity to join [Company] and would love to talk more about it soon.
Best,
[Your name]
Phone Follow-Up
How to Make a Great Impression With a Phone Follow-Up
While email follow-ups are great, a phone follow-up can be even more effective in making a lasting impression on potential employers. The key to making a great impression with a phone follow-up is to be confident, professional, and respectful.
Before making a phone call, make sure to prepare a brief script outlining what you plan to say. This will help you to stay focused and on track during the call. Start by introducing yourself and thanking the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you. Then, express your continued interest in the position and ask if there are any updates on the hiring process. If the interviewer is not available, leave a polite and professional voicemail.
If you do manage to speak with the interviewer, make sure to listen carefully and avoid interrupting. Ask open-ended questions that allow them to provide more information about the position or the company. Remember to keep your tone professional and respectful at all times, and avoid coming across as pushy or desperate. Finally, thank the interviewer for their time and consideration, and express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview with them.
WHEN SHOULD YOU FOLLOW UP AFTER AN INTERVIEW? The timing of your follow-up email/call depends on whether the employer provided a specific timeline. If they did, wait one business day after that date has passed before following up. For instance, if they stated they would respond within ten days after your interview, wait for 11 days and then follow up. If they didn’t specify, send a follow-up email after 5-6 business days. By then, they should have some updates to share with you.
LinkedIn Follow-Up
Leveraging LinkedIn to Follow Up After an Interview
LinkedIn is without a doubt one of the best networking and job searching tools out there. After your job interview, leveraging LinkedIn to follow up after an interview can be a great way to stay top of mind with potential employers.
One of the most effective ways to follow up on LinkedIn is by sending a personalized connection request to the interviewer. When sending the connection request, make sure to mention something specific that was discussed during the interview and express your continued interest in the position. Once the connection request is accepted, you can follow up with a brief message reiterating your interest and asking if there are any updates on the hiring process.
Another way to leverage LinkedIn after your interview is by engaging with the interviewer’s posts or content. This shows that you are actively interested in the company and helps to keep you top of mind. However, be careful not to overdo it and come across as too aggressive or desperate. Keep your interactions professional and respectful, and avoid bombarding the interviewer with too many messages or comments.
By leveraging LinkedIn to follow up after an interview, you can stay top of mind with potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job.
Final Thoughts
After an interview, following up can make all the difference in securing the job offer. Whether it’s a thank-you note, email, phone call or LinkedIn message, there are many ways to stay top of mind with the hiring team. Each method has its own benefits, and it’s important to choose the one that aligns with your personal style and the company culture.
No matter which method you choose, there are a few key principles to keep in mind. Be strategic and thoughtful in your approach, waiting an appropriate amount of time before following up and personalizing your message to the specific conversation you had during the interview. Be sincere and professional in your tone, expressing your continued interest in the position and thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration.
Above all, remember that the follow-up is an opportunity to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and dedication to the position. By approaching it with a positive and proactive mindset, you can set yourself apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the job offer. So don’t be afraid to follow up after an interview, and remember to stay true to yourself and your strengths throughout the process.
