Here's how you can effectively follow up after an interview.
Following up after an interview is a crucial step in your job search, often making the difference between securing the job and being forgotten. It demonstrates your continued interest in the position and helps keep your application top of mind for the hiring manager. This article will guide you through the process of crafting an effective follow-up, from timing to content, ensuring you leave a positive and lasting impression.
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Swarupa PaulTalent Advisor I 15x LinkedIn (Top 1%) Community Voice🏅I Content Creator I Mentor I Speaker I Ex (Equinix, Target…
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the tara birchLinkedIn Top Voices (10) | Change Transformation Consultant | Best Self Coach | Personal Wellbeing & Professional…
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Aditi SharmaCareer Coach & Sales Trainer | LinkedIn Top Voice | Event Manager | Record Holding Traveller
The timing of your follow-up can significantly impact its effectiveness. Aim to send a thank you email within 24 hours of your interview to express gratitude for the opportunity and to reaffirm your interest in the role. This promptness shows professionalism and eagerness without being overbearing. Waiting too long to follow up can suggest disinterest or lack of organization, so mark your calendar as a reminder to send that crucial email timely.
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Swarupa Paul
Talent Advisor I 15x LinkedIn (Top 1%) Community Voice🏅I Content Creator I Mentor I Speaker I Ex (Equinix, Target, Intuit)
Timely follow up during interview process is important and claims significant impact. Sharing a "Thank You" email or "message" over phone within a timeline like within 24 years. This is to express gratitude, interest and understand the feedback on the interview process. The follow-up also demonstrates professionalism and eagerness.
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Christian Garcia-Scheer
Creative "Out-of-the-box" thinker, builder, & wielder I Brand & Product Strategy leader I Career Development Mentor & Educator I Proud Hispanic professional, husband & father!
Timing is crucial when following up after an interview. It's generally advisable to send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours of your interview. This prompt response demonstrates your enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity. However, avoid sending a follow-up too soon, as it may come across as impatient or desperate. Strike a balance between showing your interest and respecting the employer's decision-making process.
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Sanish Singh
Startup Builder - Leadership Hiring - Career Reinvention Strategist!
A follow-up is an opportunity to reinforce your qualifications, address any remaining concerns, and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company. Strike the right balance between confidence and professionalism while avoiding any sense of desperation or entitlement. Refer to specific examples from the interview where you demonstrated your suitability for the position. Convey your genuine interest in the role and the company, but avoid sounding overly desperate or needy. Discuss how your values, work ethic, and personality would complement the company's culture. Express your passion for the industry or domain in which the company operates. Research the topics or areas where you felt your responses were incomplete!
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Satya Sidhartha Panda
Faculty of Management Studies I Author I Book Editor I Interview Coach I Talk Show Host I Digital Marketing Trainer I Campus Recruitment Specialist
After an interview, send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and reaffirming your interest in the position. Mention key points discussed during the interview to demonstrate attentiveness. Follow up within the timeframe specified by the interviewer for updates on the hiring process. Example: Dear (--------), Thank you for meeting with me today. I appreciated learning more about (Company) and am eager to contribute to the team. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Your follow-up message should be carefully crafted to reflect your professionalism and attention to detail. Begin with a personalized greeting, express your thanks, and mention something specific from the interview to show your attentiveness. Keep the tone positive and the content concise; this isn't the time for a lengthy recap of your resume. End with a reaffirmation of your interest in the position and an offer to provide any additional information needed.
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Swarupa Paul
Talent Advisor I 15x LinkedIn (Top 1%) Community Voice🏅I Content Creator I Mentor I Speaker I Ex (Equinix, Target, Intuit)
The follow-up message needs to be crafted well and reflect on attention to detail. Rather than just being vague or generic, mention about what did you feel good about the interview, some take aways from the discussion or even your interest to join the team/ role/ business. Tailor the message in a positive way, keep in mind about the tone, content, be clear and concise.
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Christian Garcia-Scheer
Creative "Out-of-the-box" thinker, builder, & wielder I Brand & Product Strategy leader I Career Development Mentor & Educator I Proud Hispanic professional, husband & father!
Your follow-up message should be well-crafted and tailored to the specific interviewer or organization. Avoid generic or templated responses, as they can appear impersonal and insincere. Take the time to personalize your message, mentioning specific details or insights from your conversation. This attention to detail will showcase your active listening skills and genuine interest in the role.
Expressing enthusiasm in your follow-up is key. Let the employer know that you're excited about the potential to contribute to their team. However, maintain a balance—overzealousness can come off as desperation. Your goal is to communicate genuine interest and belief in your fit for the role. This positive energy can be contagious and may help the interviewer recall your conversation with a favorable lens.
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Christian Garcia-Scheer
Creative "Out-of-the-box" thinker, builder, & wielder I Brand & Product Strategy leader I Career Development Mentor & Educator I Proud Hispanic professional, husband & father!
Use your follow-up as an opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Express your excitement about the potential opportunity and highlight how your skills, experiences, and values align with the organization's mission and culture. Share your vision for how you can contribute to their success, demonstrating your passion and commitment.
Professionalism in your follow-up is non-negotiable. Use a professional email format, check for typos, and ensure that your tone is respectful and courteous. This correspondence reflects your communication skills and can influence the hiring manager's perception of you as a potential employee. A sloppy follow-up can undermine even the most successful interview, so take the time to review your message before hitting send.
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Christian Garcia-Scheer
Creative "Out-of-the-box" thinker, builder, & wielder I Brand & Product Strategy leader I Career Development Mentor & Educator I Proud Hispanic professional, husband & father!
Maintain a professional tone and demeanor in your follow-up communication. Double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors, as attention to detail is essential. Keep your message concise and focused, avoiding overly lengthy or rambling content. Remember, your follow-up represents an extension of the impression you made during the interview, so professionalism is key.
In your follow-up, offer additional value by suggesting ideas or insights that relate to the role or the company's challenges discussed during the interview. This approach not only shows that you've been reflective about the position but also that you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running. It's an opportunity to stand out from other candidates who may simply thank the interviewer without adding further substance.
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Christian Garcia-Scheer
Creative "Out-of-the-box" thinker, builder, & wielder I Brand & Product Strategy leader I Career Development Mentor & Educator I Proud Hispanic professional, husband & father!
In addition to expressing your gratitude and interest, consider offering value in your follow-up. If there were any questions or points that you didn't fully address during the interview, take this opportunity to provide additional insights or clarification. You could also share relevant articles, industry updates, or ideas that demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field.
Always end your follow-up with a mention of next steps. Ask about the timeline for the hiring decision or if there are any further steps you should anticipate. This not only shows initiative but also helps set expectations for both parties. It's a subtle nudge to the hiring manager, reminding them of your application and interest in moving forward with the process.
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the tara birch
LinkedIn Top Voices (10) | Change Transformation Consultant | Best Self Coach | Personal Wellbeing & Professional Development
When leaving an interview, don’t be afraid to make it clear if YOU are interested in proceeding for the role. If you are interested, I would ensure you ask what the timeline in the process are, and when can you next expect to hear from them. Don’t leave with lack of clarity. You are reasonable to expect mutual respect. Once you’ve left an interview, it is valuable to send a thank you email expressing gratitude for the opportunity, reiterating your interest in the position, and highlighting key points discussed during the interview. Follow up within 24 hours to show professionalism and keep yourself fresh in the interviewer's mind.
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Aditi Sharma
Career Coach & Sales Trainer | LinkedIn Top Voice | Event Manager | Record Holding Traveller
The best follow up practice requires the following steps - 1. Conclude your interview with a followup thread: You can ask them by when you can expect a response, with which they are giving you a date or time to followup on the interview. 2. Thank you note to the interviewer: Make sure you send a thank you mail or message where ever you have connected earlier within 12 hours of your interview. 3. Incase you never heard back from the HR after your first message give 2-3 days gap to get back to them. 4. Update them with your work progress instead of a followup question. Connect that progress with any of the discussions you had in the interview. Remember, each interaction is an opportunity to strengthen your connection in a long run.
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