Follow-up after a job interview is the most important, yet often overlooked aspect of the job search process. Even if you don't think the interview went well, sending a timely thank you letter and a well-written follow-up email can make a positive impression on a potential employer and may greatly increase your chances of getting the job. Get started with Step 1 below to learn the most effective ways to follow up on a job interview.
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Part 1 of 4: At the End of the Interview
Step 1. Ask about the decision schedule in a polite manner
In most cases, at the end of the interview you will be told how long the decision-making process will take and when you can expect an answer. However, if the interviewer doesn't provide this information, don't hesitate to ask.
- In addition to asking how long the decision-making process will take, you should find out who within the company will contact the candidate and what communication methods they tend to use (phone, email, and so on).
- This information is important to ask, as it gives you an idea of when it is a good time to follow up, and also with whom to follow up.
Step 2. Ask for the interviewer's business card
Before leaving the interview, make sure you ask for the interviewer's business card.
- This will tell you their exact name, their exact position within the company, their phone number and also their email address. This information is especially important if you want to send an email or a thank you letter.
- Asking for these details may feel a little awkward, but it will actually leave a positive impression on the interviewer and let them know that you are very interested in the job.
Part 2 of 4: Right After the Interview
Step 1. Send a thank you email
You should send a thank you email to the interviewer as soon as possible after the interview. Your email doesn't need to be long or detailed, you just need to thank the interviewer for their time and remind them that you're very interested in being considered for the position.
- Thank you emails should be sent as soon as you get home from the interview. You can even start drafting on your smartphone when you exit the building. However, thank you emails must be sent within 48 hours of the interview, no later than that.
- Timing this email is very important, as it gives an indication of your level of interest in the job and ensures that the interviewer doesn't forget about you as a candidate. Also, thanking the interviewer for their time is a common courtesy.
Step 2. Take interview notes
As soon as possible after the interview, you should write detailed notes on the topics discussed during the interview. This step is useful for several reasons:
- Allows you to identify the skills, experience, and personality that the interviewer emphasizes as important for the position. This will be very useful in helping you prepare for the second round of interviews (if you are called) as you will be able to tailor your answers to the preferences of the interviewer.
- Allows you to remember the types of questions asked and to identify which questions you have answered well and what areas you need to improve on. Even if you don't land the job, this type of information will be useful in preparing for future interviews.
- In addition, taking detailed notes on the interview will help you develop a more personal thank you letter and follow-up email, as you will be able to touch on the specific points covered in the interview. This is significant, as it can make your follow-up efforts stand out from the rest.
Part 3 of 4: A few days after the interview
Step 1. Write a formal thank you letter
It's a good idea to send a formal thank you letter a few days after the interview. This letter should be more detailed than the one you sent earlier.
- This is to remind the interviewer of your individual strengths and convey the reasons why you should be given the job over other applicants.
- If you are being interviewed by a panel, remember that you will need to send a separate thank you letter to each interviewer.
Step 2. Consider the pros and cons of a handwritten letter
Some sources recommend writing thank you letters by hand. However, this really depends on the type of job you are applying for and the nature of the company.
- For example, a technology or social media company will appreciate the ease and efficiency of email, while a small family business might like the personal touch of a handwritten letter.
- You should also consider the type of correspondence the company uses to contact you. If they inform you of the interview via email, you can usually reply via email as well.
Step 3. Follow up via email after the set time
After the time allotted for the decision-making process has elapsed, you should send another email to the interviewer (or whoever is advised to contact) asking if your interview was successful or not.
- Direct your email to the interviewer, HR manager or whoever you contact. "Dear. Mr Jon" is much better than "To those concerned". The email should begin with some brief introduction-who you are, the position you are applying for and when you were interviewed.
- The body of the email should be like a first cover letter, in that it should include a description of your skills and convince the reader why you are highly qualified for the job. If possible, you should refer back to some of the points covered in the interview (your interview notes will be useful here), as this will help the reader remember you.
- Close the email with a positive statement, such as “I look forward to hearing from you soon.” Consider setting a “read receipt” on the message so you know if and when the email was received and read.
Step 4. Reread all your correspondence to check for spelling and grammatical errors
Check when rereading your email to make sure there are no misspellings or typos. This is one of the biggest mistakes a candidate can make, and is very likely to reduce your chances of getting the job.
- If you're writing an email, use the spell check function to spot very obvious spelling or grammatical errors. However, you shouldn't rely solely on the spell checker, as it can't recognize the difference between homonyms.
- This is especially true in English letters. For example, the sentence " I am shore your pleased to no " will be considered correct by the spell checker, even if you try to say " I am sure you're pleased to know ".
- Therefore, you should reread the email you are about to send and better yet ask someone to correct it as well-sometimes a new pair of eyes will be able to spot any mistakes you may have missed.
Step 5. Don't overwhelm the interviewer with your email
If you don't hear a reply from this email, avoid the temptation to send a new one. Use the following policy-if you don't hear back after a thank you letter or email, follow up by phone. However, if you don't hear back after the call, you shouldn't pursue it any further.
Part 4 of 4: Weeks After Interview
Step 1. If you don't hear back from the email, follow up by phone
If you receive an email response within a day or two, it's a good idea to call the interviewer or HR manager in person to check the status of your application.
- A phone call is the quickest way to contact an HR manager and, contrary to what you might think, most managers will appreciate being contacted this way.
- When calling, try to connect with the person you are addressing, not just leave a message. If they don't answer first, try again later. The best times to contact people are usually early morning or late afternoon, when they are not tightly bound.
Step 2. Prepare the script before you call
Have a script ready before you call so you know exactly what you're going to say. Practice the script a few times before calling, especially if you're feeling nervous.
- Before calling, make sure you've written down the key points you want to convey, so you don't forget them. Do it in a quiet, private location, so that no background noise interferes with your phone calls.
- When you are finally able to speak directly to the relevant person, you need to be polite and assertive. Consider their needs by stating that you appreciate them taking the time to talk to you.
Step 3. Remind the interviewer why you are the perfect candidate
During the phone call, you should repeat the reasons why you want to work for the company, what makes you eligible and why you deserve the position compared to other applicants.
- Strive to relate your skills and qualifications to the demands of the position and the wishes of the employer.
- If the conversation went well, you can go a step further and ask when you can hear the company's decision.
Step 4. Give a quick answer when you are contacted for a second interview or job offer
You must respond quickly if you receive an offer for a second interview or even the job itself.
- Delayed answers give the impression that you are not interested in the position and may lead the employer to reconsider their offer. Quick responses indicate enthusiasm and make a much better impression on potential employers.
- It is recommended that you answer job offers or interviews using the same method of communication the company used to make the offer, so if they make an offer via email you should answer via email, and if they leave a phone message you should call them back.
Step 5. Consider calling a second time if the company doesn't respond within two weeks
If after making a follow-up phone call you still have not received an answer, you can follow up again in the next two weeks.
- It's very likely that they didn't forget to inform you of their decision, it's just that the hiring process took longer than expected.
- However, if you feel that the company is not paying attention to your needs, you can reconsider whether the job is right for you and consider the possibility of continuing your job search.
Step 6. Don't be too disappointed or discouraged if you don't get the job
Even if it turns out that you don't get the job, it's important to be polite. Thank the interviewer for their time and for giving you the opportunity to be interviewed.
- Try not to get too angry or upset if you don't get the job. Every interview is a valuable learning experience. Consider asking the interviewer what went wrong or what you should have said or done. This is valuable feedback that you should pay attention to and apply to future interviews.
- Finally, let the interviewer know that you are still interested in being a part of the company and that you would appreciate being considered for any positions that may be open.
Tips
- Even if you're late for a thank-you letter or follow-up email, it's important to keep sending it. Better late than never.
- However, if you decide to send a handwritten letter, it's important to send it as soon as possible after the interview, to ensure it arrives on time.
