When Should You Follow Up After An Interview?

Job hunting can be an arduous process, and one of the most nerve-wracking stages is the post-interview waiting period. After you have carefully prepared, aced the interview, and left the company’s office or finished your virtual meeting, you might find yourself wondering, “When should I follow up after the interview?” or should you follow up at all? Following up after an interview is a crucial step that can demonstrate your enthusiasm and professionalism to potential employers. 

However, timing is everything in taking up this delicate communication. In this blog, we will explore when and how to follow up (with some samples) to increase your chances of success.

Also Read: Do’s and Dont’s When Starting a New Job

Importance of Following Up After an Interview

Before we dive deep into the timing for following up. Let’s understand the importance of following up after an interview. 

1. To Express Gratitude: Expressing gratitude for having been given the opportunity to get interviewed always makes you stand out from the crowd. A well-crafted thank-you message to your interviewer can leave a positive impression.
2. Staying on Top in the interviewer’s mind: Following up keeps your name fresh in the interviewer’s memory lane. When you follow up after an interview, your name gets revised in the interviewer’s mind and you stand out from the other candidates naturally. This can be especially crucial if they are conducting multiple interviews and need to distinguish between candidates.
3. Conveys Your Continued Interest in the Job: A follow-up is an exciting opportunity to show that you are genuinely interested in the job. It can convey your dedication and interest in the role. 

Now that we have learned the importance of following up after an interview, let us go through the suitable timelines for when should you follow up. 

Also Read: 71+ Questions to Ask When Offered a Job

Breaking the Ice: When Should You Follow Up After An Interview?

While it is very important to follow up after an interview, knowing when to follow up is an equally mind-boggling process. The timing of your follow-up plays a crucial role in how you are perceived by the hiring manager. So here are a few generally suitable timelines that you must consider for following up after an interview. 

Within 24 Hours

The first follow-up after your interview should be a thank-you email. A thank you email after an interview is often a very underestimated yet very important step in your job-hunting process. This thank you email should be sent within 24 hours of the interview. Keep it concise, and professional, and express genuine appreciation for the opportunity. Address each interviewer by name if possible, and mention something specific from the interview to show your attentiveness. Here’s a sample template to get you started:

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A Week Later

If you have not received any updates or feedback after the initial thank-you email, it is generally a good practice to follow up one week later. This follow-up email should be concise and polite. You can enquire about the status of your application in the hiring process and express your continued interest in the job. For writing this kind of follow-up email, you may go like this:

Also Read: 5 Reasons You Are Not Getting Hired

After 2-3 Weeks (OR 15-20 Business Days)

If you have already followed the initial thank you email after a week then, you must skip this step. However, if you have not followed up after the thank you email then, it is a good practice to follow up after 2-3 weeks of your interview. This gives you a distinct space down the memory lane of the interviewer and they might definitely re-consider your profile if the position is still open at the company.  

Considering your time and requirements for an urgent job change, you may also follow up after 2-3 weeks if you have not received a response from the hiring manager after your second follow-up email. By this point, you might want to express your continued interest while also understanding that the hiring process can be complex and time-consuming. You may go writing this follow-up like this:

Also Read: Importance of Upskilling for Career Growth

FAQs

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