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The Importance of Sending a Follow-Up Email After an Interview
Are you wondering how to make a lasting impression after a job interview? Don't forget to send a follow-up email to your interviewer! It's a crucial step that many candidates overlook, but it can make all the difference in standing out from other applicants. To craft an effective email, be sincere, tailor your message to your interviewer, and convey enthusiasm. And don't forget about timing – send your email within one to two days of your interview to show that you're proactive and eager about the position.
Following up with the Hiring Manager After your Interview
Picture this. You just left the office and wrapped up your final interview at your dream company. You’re feeling over the moon about your experience — you aced the trickiest of questions, made genuine connection with your potential teammates, and are overall beyond confident that you’re going to land the job!
If you're like most people, you probably took a sigh of relief as soon as your job interview was over. But don't relax too much just yet! One crucial step that many candidates overlook is sending a follow-up email to their interviewer.
Why is this so important? For one, it shows that you're proactive and eager about the position. It also gives you another chance to make a positive impression and stand out from other applicants.
So, how do you craft a follow-up email that hits the right notes? Follow these three steps:
1. Be Sincere
As we consistently touch on, job searching is a numbers game. While, yes, the interview stage certainly has less people than the application phase, but you still need to stand out from the others who are interviewing alongside you. Hopefully, you’ve done so already in your interviews, but the follow-up email is another low lift and low stress way to leave a lasting impression.
This is a great opportunity to reiterate your personal connection to their mission, share a compelling story, recount positive experiences from the interview process, share why you’re thrilled about the opportunity, and paint the picture for why you’re the ideal candidate.
Don't simply copy and paste a generic template you found on Google. Instead, take some time to reflect on what you learned during the interview and why you're excited about the opportunity.
Here are a few examples of sincere openers you could use:
"I wanted to reach out and express my gratitude for the opportunity to interview with you yesterday. I was impressed by the company's commitment to innovation and collaboration, and I believe my skills would be a great fit for the team."
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the [position] role at [company name]. I appreciated the chance to learn more about the company's mission and values, and I'm eager to contribute to its success."
2. Tailor Your Email
Please, please, please don't copy and paste the same email to every person you interviewed with that day. Try your hardest to make the email personalized!
You know the old saying you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you? Did they mention any particular challenges the team is facing, or qualities they're looking for in a candidate? Try to incorporate those ideas into your message.
For example:
"After speaking with you about the company's upcoming [project/initiative], I did some additional research and came across [relevant article/idea]. I think my experience in [related skill] could be especially valuable in this context."
"When you mentioned the importance of [quality X] for success in this role, it really resonated with me. I've always prided myself on my ability to [related accomplishment], and I believe that would translate well to this position."
3. Be Enthusiastic
Your number one goal in this email is to show that you genuinely care and want this job more than anything. Trust me, you’re not sounding desperate, you’re sounding engaged. The hiring manager likely is deeply aligned with the mission of the company and are expecting you to echo those same sentiments. I recommend that you explicitly state that you want the job and give a few reasons to back up your enthusiasm.
Some ways to convey enthusiasm include:
"I've been thinking a lot about the role since our conversation, and I really believe it's the perfect fit for my skills and interests. I'm eager to take on the challenges and opportunities it presents."
"After talking with you, I'm more convinced than ever that [company name] is the kind of innovative, forward-thinking organization I want to be a part of. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to its growth and success."
Timing is Key
You should send this email one to two days after your interview. Wait a few hours after your interview before sending the email, you want them to be able to digest everything you said and then your email should serve as icing on the cake. You should send a thank you note after every interview that you have with the company. It’s equally as important to send it after the first intro call as it is the final in-person interview.
Another note on timing. If you’ve heard nothing from the company for a week after your interview (unless the timeline was explicitly stated), it’s acceptable to send another follow up email letting the hiring manager know that they’re still on the top of your mind and that you’re looking forward to hearing from them soon.
Example Follow-Up Email
Here's an example of how you could put these steps into action:
Hey [interviewer name],
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for taking the time to chat with me about the [position] role at [company name]. I was really impressed by the company's commitment to [relevant value/mission], and I believe my skills in [related skill] would make me a great fit for the team.
After our conversation, I did some additional research on [relevant topic] and I came across [article/link/resource]. I think my experience in [related skill] could be especially valuable in this context, and I'm excited about the prospect of contributing to [project/initiative].
Thank you again for your time and consideration. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you soon!
Best regards,
[Your name]
In conclusion, sending a follow-up email after your job interview is a simple but powerful way to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position. By following the three steps outlined above — being sincere, tailoring your email, and showing your enthusiasm — you can craft a message that truly stands out from the crowd. Remember, timing is key, so be sure to send your email within one to two days of the interview. With a thoughtful and well-crafted follow-up message, you'll be one step closer to landing your dream job!