After an interview, it’s important for job seekers to follow up in a professional and appropriate manner. Here are some appropriate ways to follow up:
Send a thank-you note:
Sending a thank-you note or email after an interview is a great way to show appreciation for the interviewer’s time and to reiterate your interest in the job.
Be patient:
It’s important to give the company time to make a decision before following up. If the interviewer gave you a timeline, wait until that time has passed before following up.
Follow up once:
If you don’t hear back after a week or so, it’s okay to follow up once to inquire about the status of your application. Keep the tone professional and friendly.
Keep it brief:
When following up, keep your message short and to the point. Avoid rambling or asking too many questions.
Stay positive:
Even if you don’t receive a response, it’s important to stay positive and professional throughout the process. Don’t become pushy or aggressive in your follow-up communication.
On the other hand, there are some inappropriate ways to follow up after an interview that can harm a job seeker’s chances of being hired:
- Being too aggressive: If you follow up too frequently or in an aggressive manner, it can turn off the interviewer and harm your chances of being hired.
- Showing desperation: Avoid making statements that suggest you desperately need the job. This can make you appear less attractive as a candidate.
- Being too informal: When following up, it’s important to maintain a professional tone. Avoid using slang or informal language.
- Asking about salary: It’s inappropriate to ask about salary during the follow-up process. This is a conversation to be had during the negotiation phase.
- Badmouthing the company: It’s never appropriate to badmouth the company or the interviewer during the follow-up process. This can harm your chances of being hired by the company in the future.
Overall, job seekers should aim to maintain a professional image throughout the follow-up process. Be polite, patient, and positive, and avoid being too pushy or aggressive.
In addition to the appropriate and inappropriate ways to follow up after an interview, here are some tips for job seekers to maintain a professional image throughout the process:
- Do your research:
Before the interview, research the company and the job you’re applying for. This will help you to ask relevant questions and show your interest in the position.
- Dress appropriately:
Dress professionally for the interview, even if it’s a remote interview. This shows that you take the opportunity seriously and respect the company.
- Be on time:
Arrive on time for the interview, or log in to the virtual meeting a few minutes early. This shows that you’re reliable and punctual.
- Use appropriate language:
Use professional language during the interview and follow-up communication. Avoid using slang or overly casual language.
- Follow instructions:
If the company requests specific follow-up procedures, such as sending an email to a certain address, make sure to follow those instructions.
- Customize your follow-up:
Customize your follow-up communication to the specific interviewer or company. Mention something specific that was discussed during the interview to show that you were paying attention and are genuinely interested in the job.
- Be patient:
The hiring process can take time, so be patient and wait for a response from the company. Avoid following up too frequently, as this can be seen as pushy.
- Stay positive:
Even if you don’t get the job, stay positive and thank the company for the opportunity. You never know when another opportunity may arise in the future.
By following these tips, job seekers can maintain a professional image throughout the interview and follow-up process. This can help them to stand out from other candidates and increase their chances of being hired.
- Start with a professional greeting: Address the interviewer by name and use a professional greeting, such as “Dear [Interviewer’s Name].”
- Express your appreciation: Begin the message by thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and discuss the job opportunity.
- Reiterate your interest: Let the interviewer know that you remain interested in the position and highlight why you believe you’re a good fit for the role.
- Mention something specific: If there was a specific topic or conversation that resonated with you during the interview, mention it in your thank-you note. This shows that you were paying attention and engaged during the interview.
- Keep it brief: Your thank-you note or email should be brief and to the point. Avoid rambling or including too much unnecessary information.
- Close professionally: End the message with a professional closing, such as “Best regards” or “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
By sending a thank-you note or email after an interview, you demonstrate your professionalism, gratitude, and interest in the position. It can also help to keep you top of mind for the interviewer as they make their decision.
Here are some additional tips on sending a thank-you note or email after an interview:
- Be timely: It’s best to send your thank-you note or email within 24 hours of the interview, while the conversation is still fresh in the interviewer’s mind.
- Use proper formatting: Format your thank-you note or email like a professional business letter, with a clear and concise subject line, introduction, body, and closing.
- Customize your message: Personalize your thank-you note or email to the specific interviewer or company. Avoid using a generic template that you send to every company.
- Proofread your message: Make sure to proofread your message carefully for typos and grammatical errors. A mistake-free note or email will show that you are detail-oriented and take the opportunity seriously.
- Be genuine: Make sure your thank-you note or email is sincere and genuine. Avoid using language that sounds too scripted or insincere.
- Add value: If you think of something after the interview that could add value to the conversation, include it in your thank-you note or email. This could be a relevant article, a piece of data, or a suggestion related to the job.
- Keep it professional: Even if you feel that the interview went well and you developed a good rapport with the interviewer, keep your thank-you note or email professional. Avoid using language or content that is too informal or personal.
- Be concise: Your thank-you note or email should be brief and to the point. Avoid writing a lengthy message that could be overwhelming for the interviewer to read.
- Follow up: If you don’t hear back from the company after a week or two, consider following up with a polite email or phone call. This will show that you are still interested in the job and that you value communication and follow-through.
Overall, sending a thank-you note or email after an interview can leave a positive impression on the interviewer and help you stand out from other candidates. It’s a simple and effective way to show your appreciation and interest in the job, and it can help you to maintain a professional image throughout the hiring process.