“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Robert Collier
So, you’ve nailed the interview. You showed up on time and had your best handshake ready. Now, you’re done, right? Not quite. The journey to job success doesn’t end when you walk out the door. One of the most important steps is the follow-up.
Don’t worry, I’m not talking about stalking the hiring manager on LinkedIn or sending them a giant bouquet of flowers.
What I mean is a professional, well-timed and polite follow-up that shows you’re not only a perfect fit for the job but also someone who knows how to follow basic social etiquette.
In this article, we’ll dive into the why, when and how of following up after an interview (without coming off as desperate).
Why following up matters
You’ve probably heard it before: “You should always follow up!” But why?
The truth is, following up after an interview is a golden opportunity to stand out from the sea of other candidates who may have also left a great impression.
Following up shows that you’re not only interested in the position but that you’re also organized and professional.
It’s like sending a polite thank-you note after a dinner party—you’re not just thanking the host for the food, you’re showing you appreciate the experience and care enough to follow through.
Plus, a well-crafted thank-you note is your chance to remind the interviewer why you’re the best fit for the job—a little reminder of your awesomeness, without sounding like you’re bragging.
When to follow up
Here’s the deal: timing is everything. Ideally, you should send your thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. This shows that you’re proactive without being overly enthusiastic.
Trust me, no one needs a thank-you note at 2 a.m. after an afternoon interview. A polite and well-thought-out message sent during business hours the next day works well.
If the interviewer mentioned a specific timeline for making a decision, respect that. If they say, “We’ll get back to you in two weeks,” don’t email them three days later asking for an update.
And if they haven’t responded by the end of the given timeline, then a polite follow-up is perfectly fine.
Crafting the perfect thank-you email
OK, let’s talk about the email itself. You want your thank-you note to be short and sincere. Think of it like a tweet with a little more substance: sweet and to the point.
Start with a straightforward thank you. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me” is all you need. From there, remind them why you’re a great fit. Maybe something along the lines of, “I really enjoyed learning about that project (or about the company) and am excited about the possibility of contributing to it.”
You can also throw in a quick mention of something interesting you talked about during the interview—this makes it personal and shows that you were paying attention.
Lastly, keep the tone professional yet warm. Avoid ending with something too casual like “Catch you later!” Instead, opt for phrases such as “Looking forward to hearing from you soon,” or “Thank you again for the opportunity.”
And always proofread before sending—typos are the last thing we want!
Adding extra value without overdoing it
A thank-you note doesn’t have to be just a “thanks and see you later” situation. If you feel like you didn’t quite address something in the interview or you suddenly remember a fantastic project you did that’s totally relevant to the job, now’s your chance to throw it in.
But hold up—this isn’t your chance to unload everything you forgot to say in the interview. Keep it relevant, concise and helpful.
For instance, if the interviewer asked about a specific skill you didn’t elaborate on, you can briefly mention it in the follow-up: “I wanted to mention that I’ve had experience with (relevant skill) in my previous role, where I (specific achievement). I’m confident it will translate well to this position.” Just don’t get too carried away. This isn’t a second interview.
If you’ve done a bit of homework and discovered something you admire about the company, you can bring it up too. It’s a great way to show you’re genuinely interested, not just looking for any job that’ll take you.
Multiple interviewers? No problem!
If you had multiple people to meet during your interview process, it’s important to send individual thank-you notes. Make sure each note is personalized and not a generic message. Sending the same message to everyone can come across as lazy.
For example, if you spoke with the hiring manager, highlight your qualifications and excitement about the role. If you talked with someone from the team, express your enthusiasm for working with them and contributing to their projects. Personalization shows you value their time and remember the details of your conversation.
If your interview process takes a while or involves multiple rounds, it’s OK to check in occasionally to remind them you’re still interested. Just be sure to space out your follow-ups and keep them polite. Don’t overdo it by following up every day.
So there you have it. The follow-up might seem like an afterthought in the rush of interviews, but it’s an essential piece of the puzzle. A thoughtful, well-timed follow-up can turn you from “one of the many” to “the one they can’t stop thinking about.”
Think of it as your chance to stay memorable and show off your professional charm without going overboard. It’s all about balance. We need to look enthusiastic without looking desperate. With the right approach, your follow-up can turn your solid interview into a job offer.
Remember, you’re not chasing the interviewer—you’re just showing your interest, without saying “Pick me!”
So, after your next interview, hit send on that email, take a deep breath and keep your fingers crossed.
You got this!
Feature image courtesy of Bench Accounting via Unsplash.
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