4 min read Interview Tips

How to Follow-Up After an Interview: Best Practices

After an interview, many candidates breathe a sigh of relief, feeling the hard part is over. But what happens next can be just as important as the interview itself. How you follow up afterward can leave a lasting impression and potentially influence the final decision.

Following up after an interview is a crucial step in the job search process that can help reinforce your passion and interest in the role. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for following up after an interview and provide some tips to ensure you do it professionally and effectively. 

Why Following Up Matters

Interview preparation doesn’t end once you’ve completed the interview. Following up is an opportunity to remind the employer of your qualifications, show appreciation for their time, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. It’s also a chance to address any points you may have missed during the interview. 

If the company uses AI interview technology, following up becomes even more critical since you may not have had direct human interaction during the process. A well-crafted follow-up can help humanize your application and highlight your proactive approach. 

Read: Sending an Effective Follow-Up Email After Your Interview

Send a Thank-You Email

The first step in following up is sending a thank-you email. This should ideally be done within 24 to 48 hours after the interview. Whether you had an in-person, virtual, or AI interview, the thank you email should be concise, polite, and personalized to the conversation you had.

Best Practices for a Thank-You Email: 

  • Greeting: Address the interviewer by name to build a personal connection. 
  • Personalize your message: Mention something specific discussed during the interview to show you paid attention. 
  • Reiterate your interest: Briefly restate why you’re excited about the role and how your skills are a good match.
  • Express gratitude: Thank them for their time and for giving you the opportunity to interview. 

Example: 

Subject Line:  Thank You for the Opportunity 

“Dear [Interviewer's Name], 

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I truly enjoyed learning more about the role and the team. The discussion further confirmed my excitement about the opportunity to contribute to [specific project or goal mentioned during the interview]. 

I appreciate your time and look forward to the next steps in the process. 

Best regards,  

[Your Name]

Timing Matters 

It’s important to send your thank-you email within 24 to 48 hours of your interview. This ensures that you stay fresh in the interviewer’s mind and demonstrates that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role. Waiting too long can signal a lack of enthusiasm or urgency. However, if the interviewer mentioned a specific timeline for making decisions- say, one week, respect that timeline before following up again. 

Keep the Follow-Up Brief and Professional 

While you want to keep communication lines open, it’s important to maintain a balance between being proactive and overbearing. If you don’t hear back after sending the thank-you email, it’s appropriate to follow up again, but only after the timeframe the interviewer gave you for making a decision has passed. 

Best Practices for a Follow-up Email: 

  • Wait at least a week after the thank-you email if no response has been received. 
  • Keep the tone professional and respectful.
  • Reiterate your interest in the role and ask about the next steps or decision timeline. 

Example: 

Subject Line: Follow-Up Regarding  [Job Title] Interview 

“Dear [Interviewer's Name], 

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as it’s been [X Weeks] since our interview. I remain very interested in the opportunity and would love to hear about the next steps in the hiring process.  

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Best regards,  

[Your Name]

Stay Patient and Professional 

Sometimes, the hiring process can take longer than expected due to internal factors, multiple interview rounds, or unforeseen delays. Waiting for a response can be stressful, but it’s important to remain patient and professional this time. Avoid sending multiple follow-ups in a short span of time, as it can appear pushy or impatient. It can even hurt your chances. Instead, trust the process and remain confident that your interview preparation and follow-up efforts will speak for themselves. 

Connect on LinkedIn 

If you had a good rapport with the interviewer or if the interview was conducted by a human recruiter, consider connecting with them on LinkedIn. In your connection request, briefly mention that you enjoyed the interview and would like to stay in touch, regardless of the outcome. This helps build your professional network and keeps you on their radar for future opportunities. 

Example: 

“Dear [Interviewer's Name], 

I enjoyed speaking with you about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and would love to stay connected here on LinkedIn. 

Thank you again for your time and consideration. 

Regards, 

[Your Name]

Handling Rejections Gracefully 

No one enjoys getting a rejection, but how you respond to a “NO” can leave a positive impression for future opportunities. If you receive a rejection email, it’s still a good idea to reply with a brief thank you note. This shows professionalism and maturity, and it leaves a positive lasting impression. Remember, just because one opportunity didn’t work out doesn’t mean the door is closed for good. Many candidates are considered for future roles because they handled rejection gracefully.

Conclusion 

Following-up after an interview shows your professionalism, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role. Sending a timely thank-you email, maintaining professionalism in your communication, and staying persistent can help leave a lasting impression. By mastering these follow-up best practices, you’ll increase your chances of staying top of mind and moving one step closer to landing your desired job. If you are working with a recruitment agency, they can also provide guidance on the best approach for follow-ups in different industries and roles.

Swati Sinha