When Should You Follow Up After an Interview?
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Have you ever been in a situation when you thought that the interview went great, but then a week has gone, and you still haven't heard back from the hiring manager? The interview process is tedious in itself, but waiting and uncertainty makes us stress even more: "Does the radio silence mean they've hired someone else?" and "Should I get back to them, or is it too early?"
In this article, we will give you specific timelines when you should follow up after the job interview. Plus, you will find tips on how to show your interest without coming across as too pushy or annoying.
How do you follow up after the interview?
The recommended follow-up timeline for job-seekers is one week. If it's been a week after the interview and you haven't heard back from the hiring manager, reach out to them.
Here are the specific steps.
Ask the hiring manager about the timeline
At the end of the interview, ask the hiring manager when they will inform you about the next steps. If they provide you with a specific time frame (say, 4 days), get in touch if you haven’t heard from them earlier. Thus, you will relieve the pressure of uncertainty and will be able to contact them comfortably without looking annoying.
If you forgot to ask this or they didn't give you the deadline, following up after a week is a common standard.
Follow up within 24 hours after a job interview
Many job-seekers neglect to send a thank-you note the next day after the interview. Meanwhile, sending this letter can work in your favor. Only one in four job-seekers send a follow-up email, so following up is a sure way to distinguish yourself from the others.
Keep this letter concise. Thank the hiring manager for their time and attention, recall one interesting fact about the company or something from the interview, and express interest in moving forward in the hiring process with them. Make it polite and professional.
Wouldn't it be amazing to know immediately that the interview went great? Explore these positive signs that the job interview went well.
Send a follow-up letter after one week
If the hiring manager hasn't provided you with a time frame, it is best to follow up after one week. Send a short letter wondering about the progress of your candidacy, and write that you are still interested in joining the company. Keep your letter short and sweet - a couple of paragraphs will suffice.
Follow-up email example
Dear [Hiring Manager],
I genuinely enjoyed our conversation during the interview for the Marketing Associate position on [Date]. I was particularly impressed by your sustainability initiatives and projects.
I was wondering if you could update me on your timing and the next steps in the interview process. I am excited about the opportunity and can provide any additional information if necessary.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
One week is a reasonable time frame for a company to go through resumes, interview several candidates who applied for job postings, and consult with senior leaders. So, emailing them is one week will help you figure out if you can count on the job without looking desperate or annoying.
Can you follow up earlier?
There are exceptions when you can follow in less than a week (being super excited about the opportunity isn't one of them). If you have got any additional information that can influence the hiring process, inform them about it. For example, if your new publication in the industry journal is out and it's relevant to the job, you might want to inform the potential employer.
Also, you might need to follow up earlier if you received a job offer from another company. In this case, mention that you have an actual offer for a similar position you're considering, but you are still open to continuing negotiations with them.
Send a second follow-up letter
If you haven't received a clear response in a week (i.e. the hiring manager told that they need more time, but didn't provide you with a deadline), feel free to send a second email in two weeks. Keep it shorter than the first one. Write that you enjoyed the conversation with them during a job interview and that you still hope to join the organization.
Dear [Hiring Manager],
I wanted to check once again about the Marketing Associate opportunity that I interviewed for two weeks ago. I am still interested in joining your company, and would appreciate hearing from you about the next steps.
Regards,
[Your name]
What if you don't get an informative response to this message? Then, don't follow up again. Some large companies have an extended interview process, hiring managers are busy and they might not even know the date when they handle all other applications. In this situation, it is best not to overthink and keep applying for other jobs.
Ask for feedback
Sometimes you think that the interview went well, but you don't get a job offer in the end. Sure, it can be frustrating, but you can turn it into a learning experience. You can send a letter asking the interviewer to give feedback regarding your performance during the job interview.
Be ready that recruiters are busy, and they don't have to answer you in the first place. However, if they do, they can share helpful insights that will help you pass interviews better in the future and get more job offers. It is helpful to get an external perspective and there is no harm in asking, so use this opportunity.
How to follow up after the interview professionally: Do's and Dont's
Do:
Personalize your follow-up letter.
Include a specific job title, and mention something you particularly like about the company or the opportunity. Hiring managers have an eye for generic letters, and they are unlikely to make an impression.
Keep your tone positive and respectful.
Even if you desperately need a job, avoid being pushy or needy. Mention that you are still interested in the opportunity, what excites you most, and wonder when you can get their final answer. This is enough for a good follow-up email.
Ensure error-free writing.
Typos, poor grammar, and other writing issues turn off employers. Proofread your follow-up letter before sending it or use proofreading software that checks your writing as you write emails.
Handle rejection professionally.
If the company is moving forward with another candidate, thank them for their time and express interest in working with them in the future. Thus, you will leave a positive impression and increase your chance of working with the team in the future.
Continue with the job search.
Even if this opportunity is super sweet, you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. Keep applying for jobs, attending interviews, and exploring other opportunities. With a proactive approach, you will get hired faster.
Don't:
Follow up too early/too often.
The biggest mistake is following up in 2-3 days after the interview even though the hiring manager gave you a longer deadline.
Hiring managers are very busy during the hiring process: they communicate with other candidates, browse applications, and try to find the best possible fit for the position. Being too pushy and annoying can make a wrong impression and eventually work against you even if the interviewer liked you in the first place.
Be overly aggressive or provide an ultimatum.
In today's economy, job search can be frustrating. However, avoid pushing on the HR manager to get the answer immediately or, worse yet, provide an ultimatum. Phrases like "I'd like to get a final response today", "I have an offer at hand, so today is your last opportunity to hire me" won't take you anywhere.
Remember that your communication style tells a lot about your personality and work style. If you are aggressive and annoying during the job interview stage, you'll probably be difficult to work with. Hiring managers know that, so don't hurt your chances and keep radio silence for a week.
Get anxious or upset
Uncertainty is super frustrating. If you don't hear back from the potential employer, don't get stuck thinking that you are not qualified enough or it is so difficult to find a job. Focus on other activities. Browse more legitimate opportunities, identify your skill gaps and start working on them, and contribute to your physical and mental well-being. When you stay active, the need to wait for a week will not look so discouraging.
Job search requires energy and can take you months. Learn to maintain all communications with employers with positive energy and professionalism. Don't follow the temptation to ask for response immediately and respect their boundaries. Such an approach will bring you better results in the long run.
Get a hand of help with your resume
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Other resources to help you ace job interviews
We have handpicked these articles and guides for job-seekers:
- How to write effective emails - your guide to writing business emails, follow-up letters, and other emails that get opened.
- The best and worst questions to ask your interviewer - you should always ask questions at the end of the interview. Learn what questions can make a positive impression.
- Interview questions that all hiring managers ask - a list of questions you get asked on most job interviews and how to answer them.
- How not to be nervous during a job interview - learn how to cope with anxiety and stress during in-person or virtual interviews.