3 Ways to Take Follow Up after Job Interview

Interview – the word itself triggers anxiety, especially for the job-seekers. It is worst for the first-timers.  

We see an interview as something that creates “high stakes” environments that cause experienced individuals, nervous and anxious before or during their interviews. Sweaty palms, raised heart rate, racing thoughts, and the inability to focus on the main point are common symptoms of interview stress and anxiety. 

For people who have limited or no interviewing experience, for them preparing for an interview can be a nerve-racking experience. Even seasoned professionals with years of practice feel anxious or overwhelmed while preparing for or during an interview.

Of course, getting anxious is natural, and there’s nothing to worry about the anxiety. The best remedy to overcome pressure is to prepare well, practice a lot, adopt the right attitude, and learn to control pre-interview nerves and channel them into something positive. 

We, probably, each of us has faced a job interview, and in some cases, several interviews, right? 

Besides interviews for jobs, there are other types too. For example, a news anchor interviewing a political leader or a journalist interviewing a sportsperson. In such consultations, either party knows that the talk will not induce financial benefit to anyone. So, the chances of the interviewer getting goosebumps or jittery are less. In this article, we are focusing on the settings after a job interview. 

Some people have memories of the first job interview and the resulting job offer or rejection. The feeling, in either case, is indescribable. Instant placement or continued refusal has several factors behind them, like the specific need of the hirer and an exact matching candidate profile. Or complete mismatch of the position and applying candidate. Other elements include age, location, required qualifications-visa-vis-candidate qualification, salary, etc. 

We are well aware that a successful placement occurs when two parties (employer and job-seeker) meet a collaborated decision to work together. Instant placements in the business world are either during campus placements or mass recruitment drives. In either case, job-seeking candidates do not have to follow up on how the interview was and the possibility of recruitment. 

The dicey process of following up is for widespread job applicants. You know, following up after the interview is tricky, and the chances of losing a landing a job are high because it all depends on the way of following up. A rough or aggressive behaviour may erase the opportunity. On the other hand, a soft or too humble approach creates a wrong impression. 

So, are there any right ways to follow up after a job interview? Yes, there are. Before we know them, let’s walk through the pre-interview phase. 

It is a fact that much of the job application process involves waiting. You check job openings and wait for opportunities matching your skills and interests. 

You draft a cover letter and a resume, send them to the employer or job consultant, and wait to hear about a possible interview. If you get an interview call, you prepare for it, give it your best, and then wait for a response.

Remember, there are chances of delay in response. For example, the number of candidates, the hiring company, shifting focus from recruitment to another important project, the HR head being on leave, etc.  

If you are closer to the actual offer, you may get anxious to know the outcome. The anxiousness results in anticipation and energy, and the combination forces you to act. Don’t act. You should wait, think, and move smartly instead of rushing to know the result. 

Worrying or getting tensed about it will not help. Instead, get in touch with the right person in the hiring company or the consultant. While you certainly do not want to return annoyed, you should do what you can to stay on the employer’s radar. Here are the best three ways to follow up after a job interview. 

1. Writing a, Thank You note:

First and foremost, at the end of the interview, ask the hiring manager when you can expect to hear back about the next steps. The date will help you determine when it is most appropriate to follow up. 

A day after the interview, you can send your first note. Send a quick email thanking the hiring manager or the interviewer for their time. Keep it short and easy. Mention at least one specific thing about the interview or what you learned about the organization. Finally, mention how much you are looking forward to hearing from them. The thank-you note is not an opportunity to add more content to your interview. It is just a chance to demonstrate your excitement and appreciation.

How should the Thank You note be?

• Be brief, friendly, and conversational. You have already had the job interview, so show some gratitude.
• Restate your interest in the job and relevant details on why you are qualified.
• Mention how they increased your enthusiasm.
• Thank them for their time as job interviews require employers to set aside time, often forcing them to push off work.
• Add any information you might have missed during the interview.

2. Following up with a second note:

If you do not get a response from the company by the date; they said they were to make an offer, do not send a follow-up instantly. It is possible that you were not on the first list for the job but might still be in the running. Give them a little time to work things out.

Do not think that following up will make you appear annoying or desperate. Following up is a normal and expected part of the process. If you draft the follow-up note carefully, you can come off as diligent and interested and continue to build your relationship with the team, who may eventually offer you the position.

Here are some tips for drafting a follow-up note.

• Do not jump to the conclusion and emphasize that you did not get the job. Sometimes the hiring process takes some time, especially if the decision-makers are busy.
• Wait for the established timeframe and deadlines to pass. If you ended your job interview by asking about the next steps and when you could expect to hear back, stick to that timeline. Once that date has passed, feel free to email a follow-up note. 
• Remember to keep the content similar to what you wrote in the thank-you note. Express your interest and excitement about the role. Write something positive about the organization. You can repeat that you are looking forward to hearing from them.

3. Keeping in touch:

Irrespective of the outcome, this is the right opportunity for you to expand your network. Sometimes the hiring manager or the consultant may respond with bad news. If you do not get hired, add the hiring personnel to your network, it might be beneficial. The company may reach out about another role at a future date, or you could build a mutually beneficial relationship.

Instead of seeing your relationship with the employer as a failed job interview and lost opportunity, treat the new contacts as valuable new industry colleagues. Avoid overdoing it. Be aware of whether you are being helpful or a nuisance, and always be genuine. Be professional, proactive, and friendly, not pushy or over-eager. You may also develop relationships on social media platforms, like, as LinkedIn, for example.

Lastly, If you think your interview went well but did not get the job, you can send an additional note asking for feedback. Mention that you are looking for constructive feedback on what went wrong and tips on doing better in the future. A simple request for feedback reflects your sincerity toward the job and could lead you to a different job offer in the future.