Following Up After An Interview
Have you ever walked out of a job interview and had that gut feeling it really well? You answered every question, gave great examples and really impressed the interviewer. You may have established an easy rapport and chatted about shared interests. They might even have given you an indication that you were the preferred candidate.
So fast-forward a week or two and after no communication from the employer, your hopes of getting an offer start to dwindle.
It can be frustrating and disappointing. However, there are some simple following up tasks you can do after an interview to increase your chances of refreshing their memory and encouraging them to communicate with you.
1. The Thank You Email
Employers do value a thank you email after interviewing a candidate. 22% of employers say they are less likely to hire a candidate if they do not send one (CareerBuilder Survey).
The thank you email should ideally be sent within the first 24 hours following the interview. It should be well written, concise and to the point. It should also be friendly in tone and reiterate your interest in the role.
Ensure you don’t include any links to your social media profiles that will make you look unprofessional. It is acceptable to include links to your LinkedIn profile or any professional social media accounts that will allow you to showcase your skills.
An example email might look like the following:
Subject Line of the Message: Thank You – Job Title Interview
Email Message:
Dear [Frist name of interviewer],
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. After speaking with you, the job seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests.
I would love the opportunity to join the team and help [create successful digital campaigns, increase brand awareness, build new business] for Company name.
In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong creative and communication skills. I have a proven ability to motivate others to work together and possess excellent leadership skills.
I would appreciate it if you could keep me posted on the status of my application throughout the interview process. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Your Name
2. The Follow Up Letter
If you still haven’t heard anything after a week or two then consider writing a follow-up letter. The follow up ‘thank you’ email after an interview is increasing in popularity so sending a handwritten letter will help you stand out from other candidates. Recruiters in large companies receive hundreds of emails a day, so they will be more likely to read and remember a handwritten posted letter.
Furthermore, if you really want to impress the recruiter, send your letter on personalized stationery. This will portray a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm for the position. Furthermore, it is an opportunity for you to showcase your writing, organization and presentation skills.
Draft the letter and then ask a friend or colleague to proofread it for you. Ensure your grammar, punctuation and spelling is impeccable before sending.
A sample follow up letter may contain the following:
Dear [First name of interviewer],
Thank you for taking the time to interview me on the [insert date of interview] for the position of [insert job title]. I would like to reiterate my enthusiasm for the role. This role sounds perfect for me and my experience has prepared me well for [insert the main responsibilities of the role]. I would love the opportunity to help you [create successful digital campaigns, increase brand awareness, build new business] for Company Name.
I know I would be a valuable, creative, and enthusiastic member of your team.
Thanks again for the opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Sincerely,
Your Name
Follow Up Tips
After the follow-up email and/or letter have been sent there are two other options you might consider:
- You can phone the employer to inquire about the stage of the application process they are at. A quick phone call is advised to ask about the stage of recruitment process. Don’t spend too long quizzing them about the details or pressure them for exact dates. Furthermore, don’t ask them to give you feedback on your interview at this stage.
- You could also connect with your interviewer via LinkedIn. This is a good way to remind them of who you are and highlight your profile. It is not advised, however, to comment publically on their posts or continuously message them privately asking for an answer.