You crafted the perfect entry-level resume with a list of references, researched common interview questions and answers and nailed your first interview. Now what? You might think that’s it, but before you get the call telling you that you’ve landed your dream job, you’re going to want to reach out to your potential employer and thank them for their time.
You may be wondering why following up with an employer after an interview is important. After all, you’ve done the hard part, right? While this may seem trivial, taking it upon yourself to connect with the HR manager or person who interviewed you can make or break your chances and landing the job.
First and foremost, reaching out shows the potential employer your level of interest in the position. Sometimes, businesses use this to filter out individuals through the candidate pool. You can use this opportunity to make a more personal connection, highlight any desired talents or traits you might offer and remind them that you are indeed the best candidate for the job.
You might be unsure how and when it’s appropriate to follow up after an interview. We’re here to help you learn different approaches to take when following up, as well as offer helpful tips and advice. You can also use these tips when writing a follow-up email after a phone interview.
When Should You Follow Up After An Interview?
There are a few important things to know when writing your thank you letter. The first thing you should be aware of is that many managers prefer contact through their email address. This makes it easy for them to keep track of resumes and correspondences. If you applied online through a company portal, this also preserves a digital copy of all communication between both parties.
A good rule of thumb is to reach out to the employer within 24 hours. This shows the company your dedication, eagerness and that you are a self-starter. Individuals who send thank you notes tend to do better and leave a lasting impression. If you wait even a few days, a hiring manager may forget about you, or your email might become lost in the shuffle.
Keep in mind while most managers prefer correspondence through email, there are other avenues to take. You can also call, text or use social media. Preference can differ with certain age groups, and since millennials and baby boomers can both be in positions of authority, it’s important to consider this when decided which route to take.
When writing a strong follow-up email after an interview, it’s important to include these things if you want to stand out from other candidates:
- A Great Subject Line – Every email should have a great subject line, especially if you’re trying to make a good impression on your future boss. A few good ones include, “Thank you for your time, [Interviewer’s Name],” “Great Speaking With You Today,” and “Thank You For The Opportunity.”
- A Strong Opening Paragraph – Be sure to thank them for their time and mention your interest in the company and the position you applied for.
- Key Points From The Interview – In your second paragraph, bring attention to an important point that both sides discussed during your meeting. Whether it was how your skills would translate to the position, the way you fit into the culture of the company or mutual goals, employers will appreciate this.
- A Call To Action – Invite them to contact you by phone or with a follow-up email after the interview with any other questions they may have and remind them of what sets you apart from the rest of the candidates.
Always remember to include your name, phone number and email address at the bottom so that the company has an easy way of reaching you. Just by following these simple tips on how to write a follow-up email after an interview, you can make yourself stand out and be well on your way to landing the job.
How To Follow Up After A Second Interview
If the first interview goes well, the company may invite you back to discuss your qualifications for the role further. After the second interview is over, you will want to once again reach out with a thank you email. While you should keep within the 24-hour timetable, this note should have a more personal feel, since you have had two meetings with the company.
When crafting a second thank you email, you will want to include a strong subject line, key points from the interview again and touch on the following areas:
- Reinforce Interest In The Job – Continue to show the employer that you’re still interested in the job and eager to work for the company. This will help show managers that you are a dedicated individual and are serious about working for them.
- Talk About The Company – Before hitting send, do a little research and talk about any recent projects you admired or ones that you feel you would be a good fit for. You might even talk about something you have in common with the interviewer, such as a school or mutual contact.
- Mention A Timetable For A Decision – If you mentioned a date during the meeting, be sure to include it in your interview follow up email. Employers will take notice that you were paying attention.
- Remind Them That You’re The Best Candidate For The Job – Go over specific traits you possess or things mentioned during the interview that make you stand out from the crowd. There are likely other candidates in the running, so this may be your last chance to drive your point home.
As always, leave your name, phone number and email so the hiring manager or other individual from the company may easily get in touch with you. Remember to highlight strong moments from the last interview, and go over any talking points you have forgotten to mention.
How To Send A Follow Up Email After No Response
You feel like you had a great interview, crafted the perfect follow up email and yet for some reason, all you receive is silence. This could mean several things. The manager might have a lot to do at work, your first email could go into their spam folder, or the company has decided to move in a different direction with the job.
You should realize that just because you haven’t heard back, it doesn’t mean that you did something wrong. These things can happen, so wait for at least one to two weeks before checking in. Below we’ll list a few tips to craft a strong job interview follow up email that can help you hear back from a hiring manager. When writing a letter such as this, keep it short and to the point and remember to:
- Include The Job Title In The Subject Line – This will help catch the recruiter or manager’s eye and can also help keep your email from going directly into the spam folder.
- Be Personable – When checking in, tell them that you hope they’re doing well or having a good week. Let them know how much you enjoyed meeting with them during the interview(s).
- Be Helpful – Let them know if there’s anything they need from you, such as more work samples or copies of any previously submitted material.
- Thank Them For Their Time – Close the email by thanking them for their time. Include your contact information let them know that you look forward to hearing from them regarding their decision.
It’s important to remember to be patient. Sending one follow-up email shows that you are still very interested in the position without appearing needy or aggressive. Managers look to hire people who not only have the right skill set but who have the right personal demeanor and attitude, as well.
What If There’s No Update?
This type of situation is a very common occurrence. Companies can take several weeks or even more than a month to make a final decision. It’s generally acceptable to ask the hiring manager for a timetable on their choice. In addition to politely asking when you can expect to hear back, let them know that you’re still excited and look forward to their decision.
Follow Up Email Tips
Making contact with your interviewer is key when trying to separate yourself from the pool of other candidates. This can showcase your dedication, eagerness and once again highlight the reasons why you would be the best fit. While every job will be different, there are several guidelines you can follow that translate to any situation.
- Sending A Separate Email To Everyone Involved – Make sure to send a personalized email to everyone you had the interview with. You can mention specific things they touched on during the conversation..
- Discuss How You Would Help The Company – Talk about different ways that you will help the company if hired. This can give managers a better understanding of your ideas and what you bring to the table.
- Proofread – Correct spelling and grammar is a must. Misspelled words, especially names, can take you off a company’s hiring list immediately.
Follow Up Email After Interview Sample
Below is an example of an email after a first meeting. You could potentially utilize this template as an interview follow-up email for a variety of jobs and positions.
Subject: Thank You For Your Time, John Doe
Dear John Doe,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about [position] today. It was great to meet with you and learn more about the company.
I am excited to potentially join [company] and am very interested in the details you shared about the company’s upcoming projects. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of content creation and bringing my varied skillset to the table.
After our conversation, I’m confident my background in writing, editing and content creation will allow me to fulfill the necessary job requirements. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want additional samples of my work. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Jane Doe
555-555-5555
