Congratulations!
You’ve just finished possibly the hardest and most stressful part of your job application process: the interview.
If you’ve landed an interview, it probably means you’re in a good position for actually landing the job. Your resume and cover letter were enough to impress a manager and now you wait for (hopefully) some great news.
Even though you’ve overcome the interview, your job as a candidate isn’t quite done. In fact, your next step could be your most important. Following up after a job interview has to hit all the right notes. You don’t want to come off as too pushy, nor do you want to fall off your recruiter or hiring manager’s radar. It can be a difficult balance to strike, especially if you’re anxious or excited about the job.
Each job interview will be different, and so will the follow-up. Doing it well can help you stand out and seal the deal after a strong interview.
Give yourself a chance to review the interview and see what next step is best.
Why followup matters so much
You may not think a follow-up note after an interview might make much of a difference. After all, if you did great in the interview, wasn't that the most important part?
However, a good followup can reaffirm your commitment to the job and demonstrate that you follow through on important matters.
This small gesture also serves as a reminder to the interviewer of who you are. You may have been one of dozens of people interviewed, and a quick note can help them recall highlights from the interview.
How extravagant you want to go on the note may differ case by case, but you’ll likely want to keep it short, sweet and to the point. You’ve hopefully already done all the heavy lifting during the interview.
Here are a few email templates to follow after your next job interview.
1. Always send a thank you!
The starting place after every interview is the thank you note. You want to keep this simple and ask about a potential timeline for a decision on the position. That may help you determine whether it’s appropriate to send follow ups later down the road.
Use this thank you note as an opportunity to highlight what intrigued you about the company/position, especially details that came up during the interview. It’ll impress hiring managers and recruiters if you’re able to connect the dots.
Dear (Manager Name),
Thank you so much for your time (today/yesterday) and for giving me the opportunity to share my qualifications and experience that relate to (position). It was a pleasure to learn more about the company and the work you all do.
If you’re able, I’d love to learn more about the potential timeline you have for hiring the position, and if you have any additional questions for me, I’d be happy to answer them.
Thank you,
(Your Name)
2. Ask any additional questions
You’ve probably heard that you should ask questions during an interview, but sometimes the adrenaline and excitement of it all take over and once you’ve had a few days to process everything you have more questions specific to the job. That’s totally okay! Most hiring managers or recruiters encourage you to reach out with any follow up questions you think of later on. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Any obvious questions that should have been asked during the interview shouldn’t take place here; you don't want to raise their attention to a huge blind spot or something you should have already done.
Instead, try to ask a question that digs deeper into something you discussed. This can help form more of a connection with the interviewer and show that you have been giving the role serious consideration.
Hello (Manager Name),
Thanks again for the opportunity to talk about the (position). In going through my notes after the interview, I realized I’d like to know more about (insert details here). Could you tell me (question)?
I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions about (the role/company). I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you,
(Your Name)
3. Nudging for a response
Sometimes a gentle nudge is necessary. If you’ve interviewed for a position and haven’t heard back from the company with next steps or a rejection, it’s okay to send a note inquiring about the position.
Make sure you review your notes to see if a decision date was provided. If not, a quick email thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and asking whether there are any updates is totally appropriate.
Don’t send this email too quickly after the interview, especially if it’s an early round interview. Wait at least a week for an early found interview.
Dear (Manager Name),
I hope you’re well. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to interview for (position). I was excited to learn more about the company and this role, and I’d love to know if there’s a timeline for hiring or there are any updates.
Thank you,
(Your Name)
4. If you've gotten another offer
While it doesn’t happen often, there’s a chance that you’re interviewing for multiple jobs and get an offer while holding out for a better opportunity. It makes things tricky, as you don’t want to forgo one opportunity because of timing. You want to weigh all of your options!
Being frank can be a big help in these situations. Don’t try to talk around the issue. After all, this hiring manager might not want to lose you, so they’ll move things along a bit quicker to avoid losing you.
Dear (Manager Name),
I am following up with you regarding the interview on (date) for the (position). I wanted to let you know that I have received a new offer from another office/company. Even so, I was very impressed with (company name)’s work culture and dedication to its employees.
I’m excited about the prospect of working with you and others on the team. I’m hoping you can provide an update on the hiring process, as I’m considering this offer.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
(Your Name)
