Following up on a job interview is an important step in the hiring process, as it helps demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position. It can also help you remind the employer of your qualifications and experience in case they have forgotten.
However, it is essential to follow up appropriately – too eager or needy won’t give you the desired result. To make sure you do this in the best way possible, here are some tips on why, how, and how not to follow up on a job interview:
- Why You Should Follow Up on a Job Interview
- How to Follow Up on a Job Interview
- How Not to Follow Up on a Job Interview
Why You Should Follow Up on a Job Interview
Following up after a job interview is important in showing your enthusiasm for the position. Emailing or leaving a voicemail tells the hiring manager you have strong communication skills and are eager to join their organization. It also serves as a reminder of why you’re the perfect candidate for the role, allowing them to recall your qualifications and professional attributes.
How to Follow Up on a Job Interview
Don’t fret if you don’t hear back from a job interview immediately – this doesn’t signify that the employer has decided to overlook you or is purposely ignoring your application. According to career trainer Denise Ingledue-Lopez, PRC, MA, it’s likely because numerous candidates are vying for the same role; thus making it difficult for hiring managers to sort through all of them.
It is important to remember that employers are likely receiving hundreds of applications for each position they post and may conduct up to 10 interviews. It means that each interviewer must review close to ten cover letters while you send out one follow-up letter.
With the guidance of Ingledue-Lopez, you can discover how to approach post-interview communication and ensure that your behavior isn’t interpreted as being overeager or intrusive. So, follow this advice to guarantee a successful outcome after an interview.
Check Your Notes
As you progress through this interview, jot down any pertinent information. After the hiring manager has completed their questions, inquire about what comes next in your application process. Will they reach out via email or telephone? Are there any other channels of communication that they would like from you?
Before you follow up, look at your notes and recollect what they said. If they mentioned that it would be a week until the next action is necessary, then wait exactly one week before contacting them. Although this could seem attractive, try not to send out your message precisely after seven days; instead, think about providing them additional time or extending it for an extra week if possible – just in case their work has been delayed.
You may think that reaching out to the employer before the deadline reflects your interest in the position; however, it could also be a sign of insufficient soft skills, such as being attentive, noticing details, and following instructions. Therefore, even though it might push you out of your comfort zone, stifle any urge to reach out early.
If you cannot recall the details of how to follow up, take a look at the job posting. Often, it has all that information right there. But if there is no guidance in the listing and your interviewer didn’t indicate their expectations? Then email them one or two weeks after your interview as a gentle reminder.
Example Follow-Up Script
When it comes time to follow up, email is often the most effective approach; however, you can always leave a voicemail as an alternate option.
If you’re looking for a way to make your follow-up stand out, Ingledue-Lopez suggests including these 7 components in any communication:
1. A particular mention of the job position you applied for and the day you interviewed.
2. Restate your considerations for the role.
3. Politely inquire about the progress and express your anticipation of a response.
4. A thank you
5. A positive tone
6. An explanation that you’re following up on the status of your candidacy
7. The interviewer’s first name
Here’s a sample of what an impressive follow-up email could look like:
Hello XYZ,
I’m eager to get an update on the [job title] position we discussed during last week’s interview. I can provide a valuable asset for your team, as my skillset closely aligns with this role’s requirements [provide example]. Please keep me in mind and let me know if you need anything else before deciding. Thank you for considering me; I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks again,
[Your name]
Let It Go Unless
After you hit send, it’s just a waiting game. If two weeks pass without any contact from the company, don’t hesitate to reach out again with another email (make sure not to use the same one.) or phone call; however, make this your maximum amount of follow-ups. If no response has been made after two attempts, then unfortunately, it is time for you to look at other options and move on from this job opportunity.
The sole exception to this counsel is if a different organization offers you a job. If Company A hasn’t yet responded to you and Company B makes an offer, kindly inform Company A that you have received the new offer. It might prompt them into action without guarantee, but it’s worth trying.
How Not to Follow Up on a Job Interview
Making sure you follow the correct etiquette when it comes to following up after a successful job interview is essential for demonstrating yourself as an enthusiastic and competent candidate. To prevent any potential missteps, make a note of these invaluable tips on how not to follow up after a noteworthy job interview.
Follow Up Too Much
Following up after a job interview is essential, but it’s also important to remember not to overdo it. Sending multiple messages or contacts can be perceived as desperate, turning off potential employers. If you have already sent an email, think twice before leaving a voicemail or contacting them on LinkedIn.
Instead of trying to contact them in multiple ways, focus on crafting a thoughtful response that will make an impact and demonstrate your interest in the position. Above all else, keep it simple and don’t make contact too often – sending one message at appropriate intervals is usually enough.
Follow Up Often
Follow-up is important to keep the conversation going, but it should be done carefully. Sending follow-up emails too often can be seen as pushy or annoying and may even cause prospects to be turned off. Aim for a maximum of one email a week, and if you still don’t receive a response after your second attempt, consider moving on to other prospects. Many businesses also use phone calls or social media platforms as additional ways of reaching out, which can help strengthen relationships with potential clients.
Skip the Follow-Up
It is important to show that you are interested in the job, and following up after an interview is one way to do this. However, it is also important not to overdo it or appear too eager. On the other hand, skipping follow-up will give the impression that you are uninterested in the position. Therefore, a good balance should be struck between being enthusiastic but not overly persistent when contacting potential employers after an interview.
Lie About a Competing Offer
It’s necessary to contact the hiring manager if you have a solid job offer from another company. However, bringing up a verbal job offer or none at all can be risky. If Company A finds out that you didn’t have a competing offer or that the verbal one fell through, they may simply wish you luck on your new job and move on without offering you employment. Therefore, it’s best to only talk about other offers if they are in writing and solidified. Otherwise, the risks of lying might outweigh any perceived benefit.
Follow Up With Care
It is vital to maintain a balance when following up after a job interview. You should reach out to make it known that you are still interested and passionate about the role without coming across as overly eager or pushy. A single, polite inquiry conveying your enthusiasm for the position will help show your interest without putting too much pressure on the interviewer. Following this kind of positive approach will likely leave a favorable impression on the hiring manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I follow up after an interview?
It’s recommended to send one email every week until you receive a response from the hiring manager – this gives them enough time to review your application before sending out another inquiry.
Is it ever okay to lie about a competing offer?
It is not recommended to lie about having another offer, as the risks of being caught will most likely outweigh any perceived benefit. If you have a verbal job offer from another company, make sure it has been solidified in writing before bringing it up during follow-up conversations with your interviewer.
Is it necessary to follow up after an interview?
Following up after a job interview is essential to increase your hiring chances. It shows the hiring manager that you are still interested in the position and also serves as an opportunity to thank them for their time and reiterate why you believe you would be a good fit for the role. However, it is important not to overdo it or appear too eager. A single polite email should suffice in most cases.
What should I include in my follow-up message?
Your follow-up message should be short, polite, and concise. Be sure to thank them for the time and express your enthusiasm for the role to make a positive impression. Additionally, you may want to include any further information not discussed during the interview or questions left unanswered. Most importantly, keep your message professional – avoid making any jokes or being overly casual, as this could give off the wrong impression.
What should I do if I don’t receive a response to my follow-up?
If you have sent multiple polite emails and still haven’t received any response, it may be time to move on and focus your efforts elsewhere. Don’t take the lack of response personally – sometimes, the hiring process can be lengthy, or the employer might not have found you to be a good fit for the role. Remember, plenty of other opportunities are out there – keep networking, applying, and staying positive.
