Effective Follow-Up After Job Interviews

You finally aced your job interview, and now it’s time to follow-up. Sending a follow-up after a job interview can go a long way in determining your success in the recruitment process. While a lot of job-seekers believe the interview is the most important step, effective follow-up can make just as much of an impact.

Why Is Follow-Up So Important?

After an interview, you want to be remembered. Employers may interview dozens of candidates, so the follow-up serves as a reminder of who you are and why you're a great fit for the role. Following up also demonstrates your level of initiative and commitment. It shows that you care about the job and are willing to take the extra steps to get it.

Follow-Up Tips for After the Interview

Many job-seekers debate on when and how to follow-up after an interview. Here are a few tips for effective follow-up:

• Write a thank you letter immediately after the interview.
• Include anything that would “refresh your interviewer’s memory”.
• If appropriate, provide insights on a certain topic.
• Follow up with the recruiter through email or telephone.
• Keep it concise.

What to Include in Your Follow-Up

Begin by thanking the recruiter for their time and express your interest in the position. Be sure to bring up one or two experiences or skills that were discussed during the interview. Don’t forget to restate why you believe you’d be the ideal candidate for the job. Lastly, request information about the next step.

Best Practices

When conducting your follow-up, remember to remain professional and respectful. Every recipient of your email should see you as an individual of value. Be sure to review the employer’s demands, company culture, and research the contact’s background prior to your follow-up. Take notes on the key points during the interview and use them in your future correspondence.

Follow-Up Examples

Depending on the situation, the content of your follow-up may vary. Examples of what to include in your follow-up are listed below:

• Determine when you’ll hear about the job.
• Ask if there’s any other information needed.
• Offer additional information, if appropriate.
• Reiterate your interest in the position.

When to Follow-Up

You should aim to follow-up with the interviewer within a week of the interview. If you don’t receive a response, you can write a follow-up email or use social media to your advantage. When using social media as a tool for follow-ups, follow the same etiquette as you would for normal communication.

Conclusion

Overall, the time and effort put into a well thought-out follow-up can go a long way in obtaining the job. Just remember to remain professional, be concise, and emphasize why you’re uniquely qualified for the role.