How to Follow Up After a Job Interview
Posted February 25, 2014 & filed under Interviewing, Job Search
Often, waiting to hear back about an interview can be the worst part of the job search. Realistically, hiring managers need time to process your qualifications and determine if your personality is a good fit.
Most job seekers understand that reality but it doesn’t make waiting in radio silence any less nerve-wrecking. To keep yourself from sending a string of needy emails daily into the hiring manager’s inbox, here is the safe way to follow up with employers.
Send a Thank You Letter
The sweet spot for sending your thank you letter is in the first 24 hours. If you can, write up a message as soon as you leave the interview and mail it out before making it back home or into your office.
Email thank you letters are the most efficient method as it can take up to 72 hours after a letter has been mailed out to reach their recipients.
Send a Follow Up Message
Before you leave an interview, always ask when the hiring manager expects to make a decision. Whether they tell you tomorrow or two weeks from now, respect that time frame. Any follow up sent before then can come off as desperate or overzealous.
Once that deadline passes, send out a quick follow up message. Much like any post-application follow up, the message should be straightforward, cordial, and to the point. Stick to showing:
- Your continued interest
- The major talking points of the interview
- Any connection you may have made
- Thanks for consideration
After that, you have to be patient and wait. Hopefully, your reminders have motivated them to make the right move. If not, be okay with moving onward to other opportunities.
If the waiting is too much and you want someone who will respond fast, contact one of our recruiters. They keep job seekers in the loop and share feedback as soon as they have it.
by James Walsh
