Landing a job interview is just the beginning. You’re still not guaranteed to get the position.
The key lies in following up after an interview and what steps you take afterward to make your candidacy stand out from others being considered by the company. Here are four of our best notes for following up with employers after interviews.
1. Your First Note: The Thank You
Whenever you end an interview, it’s a good idea to ask when the hiring manager expects to be in touch about any next steps. This will help you and the interviewer establish boundaries for follow-up communications down the line.
Send a follow-up note within 24 hours of the interview. The note should thank the interviewer for their time, reiterate your interest in the position, and briefly recap your discussion.
2. Sending a Follow-up Note
It is possible that they need to take some more time making a decision, so stand by and don’t send a note as soon as the date passes.
You should set a calendar reminder to contact the employer one week after the interview, and if there is no response by that date, send a quick note to the hiring manager.
3. Sending a Note in Unique Circumstances
If you happen to have another interview occur or an opportunity arises, you can then choose to send a follow-up note sooner than the one week above. If you take the role, thank them for their time in the interview and for considering you.
4. Sending a Feedback Note
If a job interview goes well, but you don’t receive an offer, you could send one final follow-up note asking for feedback on your performance. In this note, you’ll want to thank the interviewer for their time, reiterate your interest in the position, and let them know that you found the experience valuable.
While job hunting, it is likely that you will become tired. It takes effort to submit applications and cover letters for work opportunities. More often than not, no matter how amazing a candidate may be, they won’t land the job as soon as they anticipated.
However, instead of becoming discouraged, it is important to give yourself a break by continually looking for more opportunities. The more opportunities you apply for, the better your chances of landing a job.