You just had a great job interview, a successful interview, or a good interview process overall and you nailed it! You are confident that your future boss has all the reasons to hire you.
But what can you do to make sure that the offer letter arrives in your mailbox soon? In this article, we will show you how to follow up properly after a job interview and boost your chances of getting hired.
The follow-up should start even before the interview is finished. After the interview, send an email expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm for the position. We’ll share several tips and tricks on how to stay top of mind while also making sure you don’t come off as overly pushy or annoying.
So, let’s get right into it!
Why is an Interview Follow-up Important?
A following up might seem like a minute detail, but it is actually more than that!
A follow-up conveys your enthusiasm for the job, show gratitude for the interviewer’s time, and reiterates why you are the perfect candidate.
It’s also a great opportunity to ask any questions that might have come up during or after the interview, or even ask for additional clarification on something that came up during your discussion.
Plus, a follow-up demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail – two things that hiring managers look out for in potential hires.
Not just that! but, by actually following up promptly and consistently – through email or a phone call – you demonstrate that you mean business, which could help sway the employer in your favor.
Plus it is simply a nice gesture that shows your lovely attitude and personality!
Now, let’s get into the tips!
When Should You Follow Up?
Figuring out when to follow up after an interview is key. You want to follow up soon enough that you’re top of mind, but not too soon that it’s seen as annoying or aggressive.
Typically, you should send a polite thank-you email or letter about 24 hours after the interview. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and appreciation without being too invasive.
You can also reach out via phone a week after the initial interview. This can help reinforce your enthusiasm while checking in to see what the next steps are in the hiring process.
If they still haven’t responded 1-2 weeks after the interview, don’t stress about it, but you can feel free to write them one more reminder – but don’t go overboard by following up more than two times. As long as you’re polite and professional, employers will be impressed with your enthusiasm for the role!
Inquire About the Next Steps After Your Interview
After every interview, it’s essential to inquire about the next steps. By asking questions, you can show that you value their opinions and are invested in the position.
You don’t have to be overly aggressive or check in multiple times a day after your interview. Just be courteous and contact the interviewer so you know what to expect next!
Basic etiquette but gets the job done!
It’s always nice to ask when they plan on making a hiring decision so you can plan accordingly. That way, if you haven’t heard anything back by then, it’ll be appropriate for you to reach out again for an update about your status.
Also, make sure to clarify any additional instructions if an in-person follow-up is required prior to the decision being made. Following up will help increase your chances of landing the job!
Remain Friendly When Following up With Your Hiring Manager
Make sure to express yourself in a professional and courteous manner, avoiding any sarcasm or disagreement. After all, you don’t want to give the wrong impression!
When you follow up after your interview, always remember to remain friendly and upbeat. Show your enthusiasm and thank the interviewer for taking time out of their schedule to speak with you!
If you are unsure as to how you go about this then you can start by sending a follow-up email or following up over the phone if appropriate. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your knowledge of the company and its goals. Build rapport by asking them how they are doing and bring up points that were discussed during the interview.
This simple note of gratitude or task can make a huge difference in how recruiters view candidates and go a long way in strengthening relationships with potential employers.
Connect on Social Media Business-related Platforms
This one is one of our most important tips we have for you in this article!
Connecting on Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms will ensure that you continue building relationships with key influencers and decision-makers at your prospective employer.
It’s a great idea to connect with the interviewer or employer on professional social media business-related platforms. Employers appreciate an effort to demonstrate continued interest in the company and position beyond the content of the interview.
Following up through these channels shows you’re actively engaged, can get your foot in the door better, and are able to navigate digital business networks like a pro.
Regularly engaging, networking, and messaging employers and recruiters can be valuable over time. An earnest attempt may even reveal ongoing opportunities not advertised yet – so keep your eyes open!
Get in touch with your references
You’ve put in the work and done the interview. But don’t forget about following up with your references!
Start by sending a quick thank-you email to each of your references, just to show your appreciation that they took the time to speak on your behalf.
It’s also a good idea to check in after you’ve heard back from the interviewer. Give them a heads up that you have been offered the job and thank them again for their help.
Your reference will be grateful for being kept in the loop, even if it’s just an informal heads-up message. This is especially important if you plan to use them as references for future job opportunities as well.
Don’t forget to reach out one last time after you’ve accepted the job too! Saying something like “I wanted to update you about how everything went with my job offer” conveys that you value your reference’s role in getting where you are today.
Trust us, they will appreciate that from you!
Get comfortable with waiting
Waiting after an interview can often be the most difficult part of any job-seeking process. Unfortunately, in most cases, there is no definite timeline for when you’ll hear back from the company.
Getting comfortable with waiting also requires you to exercise discipline and control. Don’t start constantly checking your phone and emails for updates as this will only make matters worse and could put a damper on all the effort you put into researching and preparing for your interview.
Instead, create a plan that allows you to stay busy while waiting. Fill the time between your interview and the decision date with productive activities such as networking, updating your resume or portfolio, or looking at other jobs that pique your interest.
Remember, employers may need longer than expected to decide their next steps. Stay focused on keeping up with these activities until you hear back—by then hopefully it will have been worth the wait!
We know this might be a little hard to do since self-control in these situations can be just a little bit tricky, but perhaps reading our other articles might keep you busy until then! Pun is certainly intended!
Final Words
Your interview follow-up activities are vitally important to the success of your job search, but after reading this article you probably know that!
So, by taking the appropriate steps and engaging in meaningful conversations with the hiring manager, you can create a lasting impression that could land you the job.
Demonstrating your professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication to the position you interviewed for, you can increase your chances of success significantly. Taking these actions after an interview will give you a competitive advantage over other candidates!
Good luck!
