How to Write a Follow-Up Email After an Interview
When it comes to job interviews, it’s tempting to think that once it’s done and dusted you can sit back and relax. After all, you’ve done all of the hard work already—you’ve spent days preparing, you’ve laid out your skills and experience with gusto, and you’ve charmed your way through an hour of questions. Now it’s only a matter of time before you get the call…surely?
However, in today’s increasingly competitive job market, it might be a mistake to take it easy and let the job come to you. In fact, while the most challenging part of the process may be behind you, there’s still work to do. Now, your goal is to remain at the forefront of the hiring manager’s mind. To push your head above the crowd and nail that position once and for all.
But how to go about it? Well, one surefire way to give yourself an edge is with a simple follow-up email. However, we’re not just talking about a quick message asking if you’ve got the job, as an effective follow-up requires a little more tact and strategy. So, for every jobseeker desperate to land their dream position, here we look at how to write a follow-up email after an interview so you can give yourself the best possible chance.
When to Send a Follow-Up Email After an Interview
Judging the best time to send a follow-up email will depend on a few things. If the interviewer gave you an idea of when to expect a decision, then you should only think about a follow-up after that date. Any sooner and you may come across as impatient.
If you weren’t given a timeline for the process, then feel free to send an email to ask when you can expect a decision – either after the interview or the next day. You can also include other information to support your application as detailed in the next section.
How to Send a Follow-Up Email After an Interview — Things to Think About
Learning how to send a follow-up email after an interview is pretty simple, and there a few core considerations you should build your personalized message around. These include:
Say Thanks – Naturally, thanking your interviewers for their time and the opportunity for you to share your skills and experience should be the first thing you do when considering how to write a follow-up interview email. Saying “thanks” gives you another chance to express your enthusiasm for the position, while also showing motivation and ambition – qualities that are highly prized in a professional environment.
Answer Open Questions – If there are questions that you feel you didn’t answer well, or that were left open for other reasons, the follow-up email is your opportunity to address them again. The key, however, is to be succinct – a three-page email going over everything you said in the interview is not likely to be received well. Additionally, include links to examples of your work that tie into specific points made during the interview.
Inquire About the Next Steps – If you want to follow-up on an email after an interview when you haven’t heard back, one approach is to inquire about the next steps in the process. Particularly if this information wasn’t provided during the interview, you have the perfect opportunity to reach out and touch base. Offer to provide more information if required and ensure you include your contact details and times you are available to chat.
Samples of Follow-Up Emails After an Interview (When You Haven’t Heard Back)
To help you compose the perfect follow-up email, take a look at a couple of examples. If you use them, remember to tailor these examples to your specific needs and add your own personal touch.
Sample #1
| Dear (name),
Thank you for your time on (day of interview). I’m highly appreciative of the opportunity to express my enthusiasm for the position of (position name). I really enjoyed meeting you and the team last week, and I feel I can be a valuable addition to (company name). Please let me know if there’s any further information I can provide or get in touch if you would like to discuss the position with me further.
Kind Regards, (your name)
|
Sample #2
| Dear (name),
I just wanted to thank you once again for our chat today. I personally feel that it was a success, and I hope that my skills and experience align with what you are looking for in a (position name). In reference to the question on (question from interview), I’ve attached some examples of my work that I feel support my suitability for the job. Please feel free to contact me for more information or simply to discuss the next steps in the hiring process.
Many Thanks, (your name)
|
Sample #3
| Dear (name),
Thank you for giving me the time to explain my suitability for the position of (position name) at (company name). As you suggested during the interview, the hiring process should take around a week. Since I haven’t yet heard from you, I thought I’d drop you a quick line to see if there’s any further information I can provide in support of my application. Please feel free to get in touch or let me know how long the process may take.
Best Regards, (your name) |
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