How to Follow Up After a Job Interview - With Examples!
1. Thank the interviewer for their time
A job interview is a two-way street. Not only is the interviewer trying to determine if you’re a good fit for the position, but you’re also trying to decide if the company is somewhere you could see yourself working. With that said, it’s important to remember your manners and thank the interviewer for their time once the interview is over. Here’s why…
It’s Just Good Manners
When you’re invited into someone’s home, you say thank you. When someone holds the door open for you, you say thank you. So when someone spends an hour or more of their day interviewing you for a job, it only makes sense to express your gratitude. Maybe your interviewer has taken time out of their lunch break to speak with you or maybe they had to rearrange their schedule to accommodate your meeting. Whatever the case may be, a simple “thank you” goes a long way.
It Makes You Memorable (In a Good Way)
In today’s job market, it’s not uncommon for companies to receive dozens (if not hundreds) of applications for a single open position. With that many people to choose from, it can be hard for interviewers to remember every candidate they speak with. By expressing your appreciation at the end of the interview, you make it more likely that the interviewer will remember you when it comes time to make a decision. And that could be the difference between getting hired and getting passed over.
It Behinds an Impression of Professionalism
Whether we like it or not, first impressions matter—especially in the business world. One study even found that recruiters only spend an average of six seconds looking at each resume they receive! So, if you want to make sure your first impression is a good one, take the time to thank the interviewer before leaving. It will show them that you have good manners and that you’re professional—two qualities any employer is looking for in their employees.
The Do's of Thanking the Interviewer
- Do send a thank-you note within 24 hours of your interview. This shows that you're excited about the opportunity and that you're prompt and professional.
- Do personalize your thank-you note. Reference something specific that you discussed during the interview to show that you were paying attention and that you're engaged.
- Do be brief. Keep your thank-you note short and sweet; no need to ramble on for pages.
- Do proofread! Make sure to check for any typos or grammatical errors before hitting "send."
The Don'ts of Thanking the Interviewer
- Don't wait more than 24 hours to send your thank-you note. The sooner you send it, the better.
- Don't cc everyone on your email list. Just because you had a great conversation with the interviewer doesn't mean you need to copy their boss, HR, and your mom on the email.
- Don't regurgitate your resume. We already know what's on there; no need to reiterate it in your thank-you note.
- Don't use generic language. Your thank-you note should be specific to this particular interview and company; generic notes are a major turnoff.
2. Mention something from the interview that you enjoyed or found interesting
Sending a follow-up message after a job interview is very important because it shows engagement and interest in the position. By mentioning something from the interview that you enjoyed or found interesting, it will remind the interviewer of the conversation you had and give you something else to talk about. This act will also help you stand out amongst other candidates who interviewed for the same role.
Here are a few tips
1. Reference something specific from the interview. Mentioning something that you enjoyed or found interesting during the job interview shows that you were paying attention and also helps keep the conversation going.
2. Reiterate your interest in the position. The interviewer should know that you're still interested in the role and that you're eager to move forward in the process.
3. Follow up twice
Following up after a job interview may seem like a small detail, but it's actually one of the most important steps in the process. By sending a thank you message and following up a week later, you're keeping yourself top-of-mind with the interviewer and showing that you're excited about the opportunity. So don't forget to follow up—it just might be what sets you apart from the other candidates!
Your first follow-up should be sent within 24 hours of your interview. This thank you message should be sent via email and express your appreciation for the interviewer's time as well as reaffirm your interest in the position. The goal of this message is to keep yourself fresh in the interviewer's mind, so be sure to mention a specific conversation point or two from the interview itself.
Your second follow-up should be sent about a week after the interview. At this point, you can reach out to the interviewer via email or phone. This message should inquire about the status of the hiring decision and reiterate your qualifications for the role. By checking in at this point, you're showing that you're still interested in the position and that you're willing to be patient through the decision-making process.
No matter what kind of follow up message you're sending, always end on a positive note. Thank them for their time, express your interest in the position one last time, and let them know how excited you are for the next steps in the process. By following these tips, you're sure to make a great impression—and maybe even land the job!
4. Examples of "Thank you" follow-ups
Here are some examples of Thank you follow-up messages for the first 24 hrs after your interview (feel free to mix and match them):
# 1
Hello <Interviewer’s Name>,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me <yesterday/Friday/etc>. I really appreciate it. I enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about the company and the <Job Title> role and <specific topic you discussed>.
I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team and am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the job and what is required for success in the role. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
<Your First and Last Name>
# 2
Hello <Interviewer’s Name>,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me <yesterday/Friday/etc>. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about the position.
I am very excited about the opportunity and believe that I have the skills and experience to be a great fit for the job. I am confident that I can be a valuable asset to your team and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you again,
<Your First and Last Name>
#3
Hello <Interviewer’s Name>,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I enjoyed meeting with you and learning more about the position.
I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity and believe that my skills and experience are a great match for the job. I am confident that I have what it takes to be successful in this role.
If there is any additional information you would like from me, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at ___________. Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
<Your First and Last Name>
5. Examples of follow-up inquiring status of application
These are some examples of the follow-up message you should send about 1 week after if you don't hear back from them.
#1
Hi <Interviewer’s Name / employer>,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to inquire about the status of my job application process. I interviewed with you last week and was hoping to hear back from you soon.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
<Your First and Last Name>
#2
Hi <Interviewer’s Name / employer>,
I'm emailing to check the status of my job application process. I interviewed a week ago and haven't heard anything back since.
Is there a timeline for when decisions will be made? I'd really appreciate any information you can give me.
Thank you again for your time,
<Your First and Last Name>
#3
Hi <Interviewer’s Name / employer>,
I hope you are doing well. I was just wondering if there is an update on the job application process? I interviewed a week ago and I'm looking forwards to hearing from your team.
I am still very interested in the position and would love to hear any news you may have.
Thank you for your time,
<Your First and Last Name>