Following up after a job interview is essential in demonstrating your interest and professionalism. However, there’s a fine line between showing enthusiasm and coming across as pushy. Here’s how you can follow up in a way that leaves a positive impression.
1. The Best Timing for Sending a Thank-You Email
Timing is crucial when sending a thank-you email, and it should be done thoughtfully.
- Send it within 24 hours: Aim to send your thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview. This shows promptness and helps keep you top of the mind of the interviewer. If you’re interviewing in the afternoon, it’s okay to send the email the following morning.
- Don’t wait too long: Waiting several days can make it appear as though you’re not interested or appreciative of the opportunity. A quick follow-up indicates that you value the time they spent interviewing you.
- Avoid sending an email immediately after the interview: While you might feel eager to send your thanks right after leaving the interview room, it’s best to wait a few hours to reflect on the conversation and personalize your message.
2. What to Say in a Follow-Up Email or Call
Your follow-up message should be courteous, professional, and express gratitude, while also reaffirming your enthusiasm for the role.
- Express appreciation for their time: Start your email by thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and the time they took to meet with you.
- Example: “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I really enjoyed learning more about the team and the position.”
- Reiterate your interest in the role: Reinforce your enthusiasm for the position and how you believe your skills align with what they’re looking for.
- Example: “After our conversation, I’m even more excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name] and believe my experience in [specific skill or area] would be a great fit for this role.”
- Mention something specific from the interview: Highlight a detail from the conversation to personalize the email and demonstrate that you’re engaged.
- Example: “I particularly appreciated learning about the team’s focus on [specific project or initiative]. It aligns perfectly with my passion for [related area].”
- Offer additional information if needed: If there’s something you didn’t mention during the interview, now’s a good time to add it.
- Example: “If you’d like further details on my experience with [specific project or skill], I’d be happy to provide more information.”
- Close with a polite request for next steps: Politely ask about the timeline or next steps without sounding desperate.
- Example: “I would love to hear about the next steps in the hiring process, and I’m happy to provide any additional information you need.”
3. How to Gauge Employer Interest Without Seeming Pushy
While it’s natural to want to know if you’re moving forward in the hiring process, it’s essential to ask in a way that doesn’t come across as impatient or intrusive.
- Give them time: Understand that hiring decisions take time. If they’ve given you a timeline for when to expect feedback, respect that and follow up accordingly. If no timeline was mentioned, wait about a week after your thank-you email before checking in.
- Be polite and concise in follow-ups: If you’re sending a follow-up email, keep it short and to the point. Ask for an update on the timeline without demanding an answer. A good example will be: “I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up to check if there’s any update on the hiring process for the [position title] role. I remain very interested in the opportunity to contribute to your team.”
- Avoid excessive follow-ups: Sending multiple follow-ups in a short period can come across as pushy. If you haven’t heard back after your first follow-up, wait at least a week or two before reaching out again.
- Gauge the tone of their response: If you receive a response from the interviewer, pay attention to the tone. If they’re offering specific details about the next steps, it’s a good sign they’re interested. If they’re vague or noncommittal, you might need to give them more time.
Express your continued interest: Even if you don’t get the immediate feedback you want, express that you remain excited about the opportunity. You could say: “Thank you for the update! I remain enthusiastic about the chance to work with your team and look forward to hearing more.”
