After an interview, many candidates breathe a sigh of relief, feeling the hard part is over. But what happens next can be just as important as the interview itself. How you follow up afterward can leave a lasting impression and potentially influence the final decision.
Here’s a guide to mastering follow-up etiquette after your interview and ensuring you stay top-of-mind for all the right reasons.
Send a Thank-You Email
One of the most important follow-up steps is sending a thank-you email within 24 to 48 hours of the interview. This is your chance to express appreciation for the opportunity, reinforce why you’re excited about the role, and touch on anything you forgot to mention during the interview.
In your thank-you email, be sure to:
- Address the interviewer personally. Start with a polite greeting and mention their name.
- Express gratitude. Thank them for their time and for giving you the opportunity to interview.
- Mention a highlight from the interview. Briefly reference something specific from the conversation, whether it was a challenge they mentioned or an interesting aspect of the company culture that stood out to you.
- Reaffirm your interest. Let them know that the interview has only strengthened your interest in the position.
- Keep it brief and professional. There’s no need to write an essay – concise is key!
Example:
Dear Sir,
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss the Sales Manager poition role at ABC. I enjoyed learning more about your team’s goals and how my skills could contribute to your ongoing projects.
I’m excited about the opportunity to join your team and look forward to the possibility of working together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Timing Matters
It’s important to send your thank-you email within 24 to 48 hours of your interview. This ensures that you stay fresh in the interviewer’s mind and demonstrates that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role. Waiting too long can signal a lack of enthusiasm or urgency.
However, if the interviewer mentioned a specific timeline for making decisions – say, one week, respect that timeline before following up again.
Avoid Over-Communicating
Following up is essential, but there’s a fine line between staying engaged and being overly persistent. Once you’ve sent thank-you email, avoid sending multiple follow-ups unless it’s necessary. Bombarding your interviewer with messages can come across as desperate or pushy, which might hurt your chances.
If you haven’t heard back within the timeframe given by the interviewer, it’s okay to send one polite follow-up email, expressing your continued interest and inquiring about the status of the decision-making process.
Be Prepared for a Long Wait
Sometimes the hiring process can take longer than expected due to internal factors, multiple interview rounds, or unforeseen delays. It’s important to remain patient during this time. Sending repeated follow-up messages or calling the company frequently will likely do more harm than good. Instead, take this time to continue your job search. You can always follow up again if it’s been more than a week after the expected timeline.
Handling Rejections Gracefully
No one enjoys getting a rejection, but how you respond to a “NO” can leave a positive impression for future opportunities. If you receive a rejection email, it’s still a good idea to reply with a brief thank you note. This shows professionalism and maturity, and it leaves a positive lasting impression. Remember, just because one opportunity didn’t work out doesn’t mean the door is closed for good. Many candidates are considered for future roles because they handled rejection gracefully.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to building a strong professional relationship, regardless of the interview’s outcome.
