Mastering the art of the post-interview follow-up sets you apart from the competition. Understanding how to be persistent without appearing pushy increases the odds of receiving a response from the hiring team.
Reasons to Follow Up Post-Interview
Following up after an interview provides these benefits:
- Demonstrate ongoing interest: Reconnecting with the interviewer shows excitement for the role. Genuine enthusiasm makes you memorable.
- Open up communication channels: Transparent interactions encourage updates on decision-making.
- Learn hiring outcomes: Following up helps determine whether you advance in the hiring process or receive a job offer.
Knowing when to follow up and how to monitor your tone and content helps you maintain professionalism during your job search. The following four tips can help.
1. Focus on Your Timing
Understand the best times to follow up after an interview. Focus on balancing promptness and patience:
- Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview to show respect and excitement without being overbearing.
- Reach out again after the hiring deadline mentioned during the interview has passed if you have not received a response.
- Wait a week to send another follow-up on the hiring decision.
- Continue interviewing with other companies during this time.
2. Monitor Your Tone
Convey interest and enthusiasm while crafting your post-interview follow-up message without coming across as pushy:
- Choose professional and warm language.
- Ensure your message reflects your personality.
- Maintain the rapport built during the interview.
- Reference specific points from the conversation to personalize your message.
- Demonstrate engagement and interest in the role and the company.
3. Evaluate Your Content
Express gratitude for the interview:
- Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.
- Restate your interest in the role.
- Ask about your application status if you haven’t heard back in a while.
- Clarify how your skills are the right fit.
- Mention anything you might have forgotten to say during the interview.
4. Be Persistent
Maintain persistence without becoming bothersome:
- If you don’t receive a response to your initial follow-up, wait a week before sending one last email.
- Remind the interviewer of your previous correspondence.
- Express your continued interest in the role.
- If you do not hear back, focus on other job opportunities.
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