English
English
SpanishAlright, you did it. The interview is over! Now you just get to sit back and wait for the call. Right? If you have ever been through an interview process, you know how difficult it can be to wait for a decision from the hiring manager. We go back and forth in our minds about the best course of action for following up. We don’t want to seem impatient, but we also want to show that we’re serious about the position. So this begs the question: should you follow up after an interview?
Should I Follow Up?
The short answer: Yes, of course! Following up after an interview not only provides another opportunity for you to express your high level of interest in the position, but it also gives you a chance to communicate your gratitude for the opportunity to interview. A short and simple email, detailed below, can speak more to your eligibility as a candidate than any other part of your work history or experience – professionalism is a highly sought-after quality.
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, employers receive such a high volume of applicants and emails that they instruct you not to follow up. This doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in moving forward with your application, but rather that they’re wanting to make sure all applicants get the same attention and every email they have to respond to is taking them away from other applicants. A good rule of thumb is to ask towards the end of the interview what their policy is on following up.
When Should I Follow Up?
Okay, so you know that you need to follow up. But when should you send that email? As soon as you get home? A week later? Again, you don’t want to seem desparate but you also want to look motivated to your potential future employer.
It’s always a good idea to send a “Thank You” email a few hours after the interview. Nothing too fancy, just a quick “Thank you for your time!” should suffice. Feel free to include, “I look forward to hearing from you.”
For the official follow-up, you will want to wait about 3 business days to send an email. Did the interviewer tell you they’re going on vacation for a week immediately after your interview? Wait until the week is over, then send a follow up.
What Should I Say in My Follow Up?
When you follow up, remember that the interviewer already knows the details of your work history and qualifications. Rather than regurgitating all of that information all over again, consider making references to your qualifications that will make you stand out.
Here’s a sample follow up email:
Good afternoon, Mrs. Hiring Manager!
I wanted to thank you again for your time last Friday. It was a pleasure meeting you and I was honored you took the time out of your day. Given my experience in marketing and interest in copywriting, I feel that I am an ideal candidate for this position and look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps.
Thank you again,
Reagan Applicant
123-456-7890
example@example.com
Make sure to customize the message to fit your own qualifications and personality, but hopefully this provides a good starting place.
OneSource Staffing’s team of dedicated hiring professionals are here to help you take that big step into your next career. Whether it’s questions about whether or not you should follow up after an interview, or something more complicated, we’re here to help! Take advantage of our connections!