Interview Follow-Up: Moving Closer to the Job Offer
You've wrapped up our interview; now what? Here's how to solidify a positive impression and increase your chances of success.
Today’s interview follow-up is more than a thank you note. Think of it as a process that keeps you in contact with your potential employer. Through this ongoing contact, you have additional opportunities to demonstrate your strengths and your value to the company.
The Follow-Up Email
The first step after your interview is to send a follow-up email within 24-48 hours. Make sure to send a personalized email to each interviewer individually. While you can use a similar structure for each message, tailor it by addressing the interviewer by name and title, and referencing specific points from your conversation.
Use email as your primary medium unless the company prefers regular mail.
Here are some tips to make your follow-up email impactful:
Begin by sincerely thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to speak.
Briefly recap key points from your discussion to remind them of your conversation and show your attentiveness.
Highlight your strengths, skills, and how you can add value to the company based on the role.
Convey genuine enthusiasm for the company and express your strong interest in the position.
If appropriate, clearly indicate your desire to move forward and join the team.
Keep the email concise, positive, and professional, ensuring it is free of spelling and grammatical errors.
Below are three tailored email templates for follow-up letters after interviews, customized for Fresh Graduates, Career Changers, and Mid-Career Professionals. Each includes the tips you mentioned and adapts the tone and focus to the audience.
Follow-up Email for Fresh Graduates
Subject: Thank You for the Interview Opportunity
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me on [date] regarding the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I truly appreciated learning more about the role and your team.
Our discussion about [specific topic discussed] was especially insightful and reinforced my enthusiasm for joining [Company Name]. I am confident that my skills in [mention relevant skills or experiences], along with my eagerness to learn, would allow me to contribute positively to your team.
I am excited about the possibility of starting my career with [Company Name] and am eager to bring my dedication and fresh perspective to the role.
Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Thank you once again for your time and consideration.
Best regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information] |
Follow-up Email for Career Changers
Subject: Appreciation for the Interview and Continued Interest
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the [Job Title] role with you on [date]. It was a pleasure learning more about how my background in [previous industry or role] can translate to success at [Company Name].
I appreciated our conversation about [specific topic], which gave me greater insight into the challenges and goals of your team. I believe my transferable skills and passion for this new career path position me well to add value to [Company Name].
I remain enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to your team and am excited to bring my diverse experience and dedication to this role.
Please feel free to reach out if I can provide any further details.
Warm regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information] |
Follow-up Email for Mid-Career Professionals
Subject: Thank You for the Interview and Next Steps
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I want to sincerely thank you for meeting with me on [date] to discuss the [Job Title] opportunity at [Company Name]. It was a rewarding conversation that deepened my understanding of the position and your company’s strategic priorities.
I am confident that my extensive experience in [your field/industry], combined with my skills in [specific skills], align well with the needs of your team. Our discussion about [specific topic] underscored how I can contribute to your continued success.
I remain very interested in joining [Company Name] and am eager to leverage my background to drive positive outcomes.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. Please let me know if there is anything further you need.
Best regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information] |
Next Steps
If you provided references to your interviewer, make a point of contacting each person to alert them to a potential call from the company. After 10 days, follow up with a phone call to ask where the interviewer is in the process, and if you can provide any additional information. Take this opportunity to remind the interviewer of some unique quality or strength you can bring to the job. Finally, continue your job search.
If You Don’t Get the Offer
If you are not offered the position, turn a negative into a positive by asking the interviewer if you can bring him/her into your network. Ask for referrals to other contacts. Your proactive steps demonstrate your networking skills and may earn you some insight into another job opening.