How do you follow up with the interviewer after an interview?

Let them know you are interested There are some great points others have shared, but this one, while obvious cannot be overstated. I have had candidates not get offers because the employers didn't feel they were interested after interviewing. It is vital to let the employer know you are extremely interested in the opportunity and in taking the next step in the process. Reiterate this excitement in any thank you messages you send. Excitement is something employers are looking for. It helps them get a glimpse of your personality and your eagerness. Show and share your excitement!

Could be a physical thank you card, which can take a while to get there, get lost in shuffle, or be intercepted by an EA etc but when they make it to the intended recipient it can make a great impression. Also, a great email can be great too if you include a short personalized video, fun graphic from Canva. The point is to stand out, be memorable, show that you have capacity for gratitude and follow through.

Here is an example you could modify: “Dear John” or “Hi John,” “I wanted to thank you for speaking with me today and sharing your experiences with ABC Corp. I appreciated your allowing me an opportunity to discuss ways I could bring value to your organization as the (job title). There are many aspects of the company & this role that excite me. For example (add 1-2 things that came up during that interview to make it personal or something you learned overall – personalize it). These opportunities & challenges are aligned with my (passion/interest/experience) & I know I could bring value to your team. Again, I am grateful for your time & your team’s consideration, & I look forward to continuing our conversation. Thank you, Name Here

The best way to stand out with a thank-you note, is to just send one. Don't over think it, just get it done. It doesn't have to be hand written, an email is fine, and if possible reference something personal the person shared during an interview to highlight you were listening. A small bit of effort can go a long way.

Gratitude felt and not expressed is like a gift packed but not shared. Send a warm thank you message to the people who gave their time. And time is of great value. Send a note to the most difficult interviewers as well. Not to flatter them but to soften the though nuts.

Showing that you can listen and take orders will help you stand out from many of the other candidates. Often the potential hiring managers will even leave this door slightly open as a text. Always read the writing on the wall. (All figurative).

As a job seeker, it is very hard to wait on a decision, particularly with an extended executive search process. There are many things that are out of the control of the lead recruiter. I recommend offering to follow up at a weekly cadence to check in and ask if there is any additional information needed at that time to help with the decision-making process. Don't push or require a response, simply remind them of your excitement and interest.

More importantly, ask for instructions. Most interviewees go into an interview blind. Ask who will be there, about their background, how the interview process is going, what you should prepare, etc. Take control of the interview process and do your research.

Definitely don’t be overbearing, come across as needy or desperate, or stand out for the “wrong reasons”. I know it can be stressful waiting when you need a job immediately, but you can’t watch paint dry, and what’s meant to be will be.

First and foremost make sure you are as clear as possible with the employer in terms of your interest level in the position you’re following up on. Nothing is more frustrating from a hiring manager’s perspective than a candidate who appears to be playing games as to their interest sending mixed messages. Keep the follow up very professional yet genuine at the same time. No “template” thank you emails. Be specific to the job you interviewed for citing examples of why this appears to be a good fit on both sides. Follow timeframes are situational so try and gain an understanding of when they expect to make a hiring decision and follow up based on that.

As a former recruiter I can tell you that there is a thing as too much follow up and it will leave a bad taste in the recruiters/hiring manager's mouth. They know you are anxious and are looking for immediate feedback but also remember that in some cases, they are waiting on feedback from upper management, from other interviews, etc. So be wise as to when you do send that follow-up email. Let the dust settle and it is likely that they are speaking to other candidates, so if you don't have feedback within 5 days don't worry. In fact, I would coach you to make sure you ask prior to leaving ask when you should expect feedback or when you should follow up and then hold them to that time frame.

Melanie gives great advice here! I often like to say: you have to ride the fine line between annoyance and persistence, and asking for clear expectations for a communication timeline is an excellent way to do that. As far as some of the AI-generated advice above, I don't entirely agree. Following up once a week could become overkill, and I'm also not a huge fan of the idea of asking thoughtful questions or providing updates if they're irrelevant. That can be perceived as annoying. Aim for short, succinct follow-up: "Hi Name, I wanted to check in to see how the hiring process for X role is going. I'm excited to hear about next steps." is all you need! Note: an offer from another employer is an update you share!

Once a week is a great recommendation but also ask about the process. When are they looking to make the decision, what can prevent this position from moving forward, how many candidates are they interviewing etc. Then you can also give them a deadline for when you won't be available any longer due to other opportunities you are being considered for. Again, get information and now you can also make yourself more valuable.

Being prepared for more interviews is where I see clients get tripped up before they hire me. I explain, that it's imperative to know many companies have several phases to the interviewing and selection process. Having an example bank helps you showcase your skills and talent with various examples. Also, for each progression through the process, show more and more how ready and excited you are for the opportunity. Have them picture you in the role by give examples that they can picture in their heads. This allows them to see you in the role and how you will make an immediate impact.

So true! I always advise my clients to keep their options open until they have an offer - in writing - that they are happy with. It is a mistake to only pursue one opportunity at a time, particularly when some processes have many stages and last weeks or even months. Remember - you have options! So explore them all until you find the right next step for you.

Keeping your options open is good for a job seeker's mental health because if a hot opportunity goes south, it feels like one is starting over. Don't say that you have an offer or put undue pressure on a recruiter when it is unnecessary. It is best to let the recruitment and interview process play out unless you have another offer in hand.

Stand out by making your resume dynamic or visually appealing, researching the company history and interviewer personally before the interview, have a good one-line joke handy, discover what they will consider to be “value” and convince them you can provide “that”. Then live up to it lol.

Let them know you are interested There are some great points others have shared, but this one, while obvious cannot be overstated. I have had candidates not get offers because the employers didn't feel they were interested after interviewing. It is vital to let the employer know you are extremely interested in the opportunity and in taking the next step in the process. Reiterate this excitement in any thank you messages you send. Excitement is something employers are looking for. It helps them get a glimpse of your personality and your eagerness. Show and share your excitement!