How to Follow Up After an Interview
How to Follow Up After an Interview: Email Templates and Best Practices
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but the hard work doesn’t end once the interview is over. Following up after an interview is just as important as performing well during the interview itself. A well-crafted follow-up email shows your interest in the position, demonstrates your professionalism, and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this post, I will guide you on how to follow up after an interview, with useful email templates and best practices.
Why is Following Up Important?
Before we dive into the details of how to follow up, let’s first understand why it’s important:
- Shows Enthusiasm: A follow-up email lets the employer know that you are still interested in the role.
- Demonstrates Professionalism: Sending a thank-you email shows that you are courteous and considerate. It reflects your communication skills and professionalism.
- Gives You a Chance to Reaffirm Your Suitability: It’s an opportunity to remind the employer why you are the best fit for the role.
- Keeps You Top of Mind: Employers often interview multiple candidates. Following up helps you stay on their radar, increasing your chances of being remembered.
When Should You Follow Up?
Timing is crucial when following up after an interview. Here’s when you should send your follow-up emails:
- Send a Thank-You Email Within 24 Hours: Ideally, you should send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. This ensures you remain fresh in the interviewer’s mind.
- Follow Up After a Week if You Haven’t Heard Back: If the employer gave you a timeline for when you’d hear back, wait for that period to pass. If you haven’t heard from them, send a polite follow-up email after about a week.
- Be Patient and Don’t Overdo It: While it’s important to follow up, you don’t want to send multiple emails every few days. Give the employer some time to make their decision.
How to Write a Follow-Up Email: Best Practices
A follow-up email should be polite, professional, and brief. Here are some best practices to help you craft the perfect message:
- Be Prompt: Send your follow-up email as soon as possible after the interview, ideally within 24 hours.
- Be Personal: Tailor the email to the specific interview. Mention things discussed during the interview to show that you were paying attention.
- Be Concise: Keep your message short and to the point. Thank them for their time, express your enthusiasm for the role, and briefly reiterate why you’re a good fit.
- Be Grateful: Don’t just thank the interviewer for their time, but also for considering you for the position.
- Be Professional: Use a polite tone, proper grammar, and spelling. Avoid being overly casual or using slang.
- Express Continued Interest: Reaffirm your interest in the role and company.
- Offer to Provide More Information: If needed, mention that you’re happy to provide any additional information or answer further questions.
- End on a Positive Note: Thank them once again and express your eagerness to hear from them.
Follow-Up Email Templates
Let’s now look at some simple email templates you can use as a guide. These templates can be customized based on the type of interview and the situation.
1. Post-Interview Thank-You Email Template
This is the most common type of follow-up email. You send it after an interview to express your gratitude.
Subject: Thank You for the Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] today. I really enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about the exciting work your team is doing.
I’m even more enthusiastic about the role after our conversation and believe that my [mention a skill or experience] makes me a great fit for this position. I’m eager to contribute to your team and help [Company Name] continue to [mention a goal or project discussed during the interview].
Thank you again for your time and consideration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any further information from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
2. Follow-Up Email After No Response (1 Week Later)
If you haven’t heard back after your interview and it’s been about a week, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email to check on the status of your application.
Subject: Following Up on [Job Title] Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [Date of Interview]. I am still very interested in the opportunity and wanted to check if there have been any updates on your decision-making process.
I appreciate the time you took to meet with me, and I would love to be a part of the team at [Company Name]. If you need any additional information or clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you once again for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
3. Follow-Up Email After Multiple Interviews
If you’ve had more than one interview (e.g., an initial interview followed by a second interview or a meeting with more team members), this follow-up email expresses appreciation for all the discussions you had.
Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me during both of my interviews for the [Job Title] position. I really enjoyed speaking with you and the team, and I’m even more excited about the possibility of joining [Company Name].
The discussions we had about [mention a topic from the interview] were particularly inspiring, and I feel that my skills and experience are well-aligned with the role. I’m very enthusiastic about the chance to contribute to your team’s success.
If there’s any further information you need from me, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the next steps.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
4. Follow-Up Email When You Are Waiting for an Offer
If you’ve been told you’ll hear back soon but haven’t received an offer yet, this email shows that you’re still interested while also politely checking in.
Subject: Checking In Regarding [Job Title] Position
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up regarding the [Job Title] position I interviewed for on [Date of Interview]. I understand that the decision-making process can take time, but I wanted to reiterate how excited I am about the opportunity to work with your team at [Company Name].
I’m still very much looking forward to the possibility of contributing to [Company’s Goal or Project]. Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide.
Thank you once again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
What to Avoid When Following Up After an Interview
While following up is important, there are a few things you should avoid:
- Being Too Pushy: Don’t send multiple emails in a short period. If you’ve already followed up once, give the employer some time to respond.
- Over-Explaining: Keep your email brief and to the point. Avoid writing long paragraphs or trying to over-explain your qualifications.
- Being Negative: Never express frustration or impatience in your follow-up email. Stay polite and positive, even if you’re feeling anxious.
- Using Informal Language: This is a professional interaction, so avoid casual language or slang. Maintain a formal tone throughout.
- Forgetting to Proofread: A follow-up email with typos or grammatical errors can leave a negative impression. Always double-check your email before sending it.
Conclusion
Following up after an interview is an essential step in the hiring process. It shows professionalism, reiterates your interest in the job, and keeps you top of mind. By following the best practices mentioned in this post and using the email templates provided, you can ensure that your follow-up emails leave a positive impression.
Remember to keep it timely, polite, and concise. With a well-crafted follow-up email, you’ll be one step closer to securing the job you want.
