The right follow-up strategy can show your enthusiasm, reinforce your qualifications, and even sway a hiring decision in your favor. Here are two ways you should follow up with an employer after a job interview.
1. Send A Thank-You Note
This piece of job search advice is common. Yet executing a good thank-you note is harder than it looks.
You should send a thank-you note to a potential employer within 24 hours after your job interview. And, since the hiring manager is probably really busy, it's best to send an email, not a handwritten note.
In your note, it's not enough just to say "thank you." You should also explain why you're thankful for the opportunity to interview at the company. Mention specific details from the interview if you can—about the company, meeting members of the team, and the position itself. If there was a particular question or topic that resonated with you, reference it to show you were actively engaged in the conversation. Keep your tone professional yet enthusiastic, and close by expressing your eagerness to contribute to the company's success.
During the interview, make it a goal to remember the names of everyone you shake hands with. Then, you can drop the names of the people you met in your thank-you note. This will show the employer that you pay attention to the details and have already connected with the people at the company you'd be working with if you get the job.
Lastly, end your thank-you note by reiterating why you believe you'd be a great fit for the job, and express your excitement about the opportunity to work there.
A well-written and thoughtful thank-you note like this will stand out to hiring managers more than a generic, indistinguishable one.
2. Send A Follow-Up Email
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After you send your thank-you note, the waiting begins.
It's in your best interest to follow up one to two weeks after your interview. The only exception is if the employer gives you a certain time frame of when to expect to hear back from them. If given a time frame, don't follow up before then.
When you do decide to follow up with an employer, a short, concise email is the way to go. Keep the tone polite and professional, and avoid coming across as pushy or impatient. Ask if there's anything else the hiring manager needs from you. Reiterate your excitement for the opportunity. You can even share a resource (article, video, etc.) that you think they would find interesting or helpful based on the conversations you had in your interview, further proving your value as an employee. Finally, close the email with a forward-looking statement, and another "thank you."
Communication with a potential employer after a job interview is an integral part of the hiring process. You don't want to annoy them, but you need to convey your enthusiasm and excitement for the opportunity at the same time.
By following up in these two ways, you'll stand out as an eager and proactive applicant, one with communication skills that will help you shine in any position.
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