How to Follow Up After an Interview
Following up after an interview can feel quite scary. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a top-class follow-up email.
7 Top Tips to Following Up After a Job Interview
#1 Say Thank You
In today’s world, thank you notes are a must. Sending one proves that you are gracious and, possibly more importantly, thoughtfully. However, it’s important to personalize the message instead of grabbing a template from the internet.
Generally, your note of thanks should contain three things:
- Gratefulness for the interviewer’s time
- Excitement for the role
- Gratitude for getting more insight into the company and the position
#2 Address to The Right Person
Always address the person by name. If you don’t have the right contact details to hand, be sure to find them. A great place to start is by using tools such as JobHuntBuddy . This will allow you to quickly and easily find the right contacts at any company including their email address and job title.
Alternatively, you can try searching on the company’s website but this is often a convoluted process depending on the size of the business.
#3 Bring Up the Next Steps
Most of the time, the interviewer will give you the next steps during the interview. However, if they don’t provide you with this information, it’s best to ask for this in your follow-up email. After that, the recipient should give you all the information you need.
#4 Give Them a Nudge (Gently)
You might find that every second after the interview is fraught with nerves while you wait to hear back from your potential employer. But, always remember that there is a fine line between being persistent and being annoying.
If you haven’t heard back after a week, don’t worry. This doesn’t always mean that they’ve left you behind. Instead, they may just need a gentle reminder. Try to remain friendly and professional while doing so.
#5 Wait 7 to 10 Days
Reaching out too often or too quickly following an interview will turn your potential employer off. It’s best practice to wait between 7 and 10 days before issuing a follow-up.
Having said this, if it has been more than two days since your interviewer said they would respond, it’s best to send your follow-up immediately.
#6 Don’t Skip The Subject Line
The subject line is the main factor that determines how quickly your email is opened. Sometimes, it determines whether your email is opened at all.
To craft a good subject line for your follow-up email, it’s best to just reply to the current email thread. This almost guarantees a quick opening time.
For those of you who don’t have an email you can reply to, try these subject lines:
- “Job Interview Follow Up”
- “Interview Status Follow Up”
#7 Be Positive
Overall, it’s best to remain positive throughout. Even if you’re tense and every minute feels like eternity! Stay calm, follow-up graciously, and you’ve put your best foot forward.