You've aced the job interview and you're eager to hear back from the employer. But how do you follow up without being too pushy or annoying? Here are some tips to help you stay in touch and show your interest in a professional and courteous way.
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The first thing you should do after a job interview is to send a thank you note to the interviewer. This is a simple but effective way to express your appreciation, restate your qualifications, and highlight your fit for the role. You can send an email or a handwritten card, depending on the company culture and your preference. Try to send it within 24 hours of the interview and personalize it with specific details from your conversation.
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Sending a thank you note is a professional way to show the company you are interested in the position you interviewed for. What should it include?
1. Add salient points about some of the topics you discussed in your interview and why those points match your experience.
2. Show your excitement about moving to the next step in the process.
3. Include a reference from a past employer. This is your opportunity to have a past mentor or boss talk about your qualifications.
Remember to send the thank you note out within 24 hours.
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Continue to demonstrate your strong follow-up and communication skills. Don't hesitate to stay engaged with a potential employer; it's perfectly acceptable to request updates every other day, especially if you're in the final stages of the hiring process. Craft your follow-up email around your enthusiasm for the opportunity and your eagerness to receive a response.
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If you haven't heard back from your contact within a week of interviewing (or since you sent your "thank you" email 24hrs after that meeting) send an email to the main contact "confirming" your interest.
Stay away from the word "just" because it belittles your interest. Be sure to state that you are still interested in the role and add why you are a fit.
If you have articles or information related to topics discussed in the meeting or the position itself, be sure to add those.
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Sending a thank you note after a job interview is essential. It's a simple yet effective gesture to show appreciation, reaffirm your qualifications, and emphasize your fit for the role. Whether through email or a handwritten card, timing is key—aim for within 24 hours. Make it personal by referencing specific details from your conversation, and consider company culture when choosing the method.
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Matt is spot-on. Another tidbit is to concisely answer any unanswered questions from the interview. But only if you can burnish your impression with the short and sweet answer. Could read something like: maybe my answer to your good question about managing a remote team was incomplete. I'd add that in addition to setting clear measurement goals, my experience is that it is vital to humanize the interactions so that the lines of communication remain open and productive.
During the interview, you should have asked about the next steps and the expected timeline for the hiring process. This will help you gauge when to follow up and avoid being too impatient or intrusive. If the interviewer gave you a specific date or time frame, respect it and wait until then to check in. If they didn't, you can follow up after a week or two, depending on the urgency and competitiveness of the position.
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In the event a firm timeline was not discussed, it’s generally safe to engage with a follow up after five business days. Tone and message are as important as timing, so be polite and unassuming; simply inquisitive.
“Hey ___, I hope all has been well since we spoke last! I wanted to reach out and follow up on my interview from last week. Have any updates occurred since we last spoke?
Thank you again,
Candidate.”
Be sure to reach out to the appropriate individual as well. Sometimes that will be the Recruiter, sometimes the Hiring Manager. Use your best judgement when deciding which is more appropriate for your situation.
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As an HR kid (now adult), I LOVE this topic. Everything applies! For instance, if you have a call confirming the next steps for a potential opportunity that interests you a standard ‘thank you’ note is typically expected within 24-48 hours. I’m a go getter! Being prompt, timely and showing interest in a new role especially if you are qualified, is a must. If you don’t have that third interview within 2-3 business days, from the date you sent a thank you note I think it’s safe to say that this role wasn’t for you, on to the next! If you do have a third interview scheduled (post follow up) you’re in! In the past I have used email, and LinkedIn. Always be ready to SELL yourself. You got this!
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Absolutely, adhering to the timeline discussed during the interview is key to following up appropriately. Inquire about next steps and the hiring process timeline to gauge when to check in. If a specific date or time frame was provided, honor it. If not, consider the role's urgency and competitiveness and follow up after a week or two. This ensures your follow-up is respectful and well-timed.
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If time has passed, don’t get discouraged…sometimes there are things happening you haven’t thought of (i.e., the hiring manager had an emergency, sometimes the team will take longer because of poor communication with each other and to the recruiter, they are waiting to get a comp package and it’s out of their control on time). A simple email with the recruiter (or whomever is leading the process) stating you’re still interested, are there any other questions, etc. If it’s passed the timeline, and you still haven’t gotten feedback, your email isn’t pushy. It actually shows you’re interest and ability to follow up. Just don’t say, “ Hey! What’s going on? Did you make a decision yet or not?”
When you follow up, be polite and concise. Don't send multiple messages or call repeatedly, as this can come across as desperate or rude. Instead, send one email or make one phone call and state your purpose clearly and briefly. Remind the interviewer who you are, what position you applied for, and why you are interested. Express your enthusiasm and ask if they need any additional information from you. Thank them for their time and attention and let them know you look forward to hearing from them.
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Absolutely, maintaining politeness and conciseness in your follow-up is crucial. Avoid multiple messages or excessive calls to prevent appearing desperate or rude. Instead, use one email or call to clearly and briefly state your purpose. Remind them of your identity, the position you applied for, and your enthusiasm. Offer assistance with any needed information, express gratitude for their time, and eagerly await their response. This approach is professional and respectful.
If you don't get a response from your initial follow-up, you can try using different channels to reach out to the interviewer. For example, you can connect with them on LinkedIn, send them a text message, or leave them a voicemail. However, be careful not to overdo it or spam them with multiple messages on different platforms. Use these channels sparingly and only if you have a valid reason to contact them, such as sharing an update on your skills, portfolio, or references.
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If your initial follow-up doesn't yield a response, exploring different communication channels can be helpful. You might consider connecting on LinkedIn, sending a text, or leaving a voicemail. However, use these channels judiciously, avoiding excessive outreach. Contact them with a valid reason, like sharing a skills update, portfolio, or references. Maintaining a balanced and respectful approach is essential when trying different communication methods.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not hear back from the employer at all. This can be frustrating and disappointing, but it's important to know when to move on and focus on other opportunities. If you've followed up at least twice and haven't received any feedback or updates, it's likely that the employer has decided to go with another candidate or put the hiring process on hold. In this case, you can send a final email to thank them for their consideration and express your interest in future openings. Then, let it go and continue your job search with confidence and optimism.
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After a month of not hearing from them, most organizations will have moved on and made an offer, although some definitely take longer. If you have followed up and not gotten feedback, please move on
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Absolutely, recognizing when to move on is vital. If you've followed up multiple times without any response or updates, it's a sign that the employer may have made a different choice or paused the process. In such cases, send a final thank-you email, expressing interest in future opportunities, and then shift your focus to other prospects. Maintaining confidence and optimism in your job search is key to finding the right fit.
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One additional consideration is the importance of staying professional and maintaining a positive reputation throughout your job search. Even if you face rejection or frustration, it's crucial to handle it gracefully. Employers in the same industry often talk to each other, and your professionalism during the process can impact your future opportunities. Additionally, it's essential to keep networking and nurturing relationships because your next opportunity may come from unexpected connections. Always remember that perseverance and a positive attitude can make a significant difference in your job search journey.