Creating an Effective Follow-Up Strategy Post-Interview
Congratulations, you’ve made it through the interview process and now you’re wondering what comes next. You’ve given your best during the interview and you’re eager to hear back from the company. You may be thinking, “Should I wait for them to reach out to me or should I follow-up?” The answer is simple: definitely follow-up. In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to stand out and make a lasting impression. A well thought out and effective follow-up strategy post-interview can be the deciding factor in whether you get the job or not. In this article, we’ll dive into the steps you can take to create an effective follow-up strategy post-interview that will leave a lasting impression on your potential employer and increase your chances of getting hired.
The Importance of a Follow-Up Strategy
Most job seekers tend to think that the interview is the final step in the hiring process. But in reality, it’s only the beginning. Following up after an interview shows your dedication and enthusiasm towards the job and the company. It also gives you the opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position, address any concerns or questions that may have arisen during the interview, and provide any additional information that may strengthen your candidacy. Moreover, it keeps you top of mind and stands out among other candidates who may not have followed up.
The Do’s and Don’ts of a Follow-Up Strategy
Do’s
The first and most important “do” is to follow-up within 24 hours of your interview. This shows that you’re proactive and eager to move forward in the hiring process. Start by sending a thank-you email to your interviewer(s) expressing your appreciation for their time and the opportunity to interview for the position. In your email, reiterate your interest in the job and highlight some key points that you discussed during the interview. This will not only show your appreciation but also help the interviewer remember you and your conversation.
Another “do” is to personalize your follow-up. If you interviewed with multiple people, make sure to send individual thank you emails to each person. This will show that you valued each person’s time and you were paying attention during the interview. You can also include something specific you discussed with each person in your email to make it more personal.
Following up doesn’t always have to be through email. If you have the interviewer’s contact number, you can also send a short and professional text message to thank them for their time and express your interest in the job. Just make sure to proofread and avoid using any abbreviations or slang.
Don’ts
Now let’s talk about what you should NOT do when creating your follow-up strategy. The biggest “don’t” is to not pester your interviewer. Following up is important, but there’s a fine line between being enthusiastic and being annoying. Sending multiple follow-up emails or calling every day may come off as desperate and can potentially harm your chances of getting the job. One to two follow-up emails is more than enough, and if you don’t hear back after that, it’s best to move on.
Another common mistake job seekers make is to send a generic message to their interviewer. As mentioned earlier, personalization is key. Sending the same generic thank-you email to everyone you interviewed with will not only come off as insincere but also show that you didn’t take the time to reflect on your conversations with each person. This can be a major red flag for employers.
How to Keep Building Relationships After Your Interview
What if you don’t hear back from the company after following up? Don’t worry, there are still ways to keep yourself top of mind and build relationships with the company. First, make sure to stay active on social media and connect with the company’s accounts. This will help you stay updated on any news or job postings. Additionally, you can also send a professional and brief email to your interviewer after a few weeks to check on the status of the position. This will show that you’re still interested in the company and the job, and it may remind them to respond to your application.
In addition, if you have any updates on your skills or experience that may be relevant to the position, feel free to send a short email to the interviewer. This shows that you’re continuously improving yourself and may bring your application back to the top of their list.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating an effective follow-up strategy post-interview is an important step in the job search process. It shows your dedication, enthusiasm, and helps you stand out among other candidates. Remember to personalize your follow-up, keep it professional, and avoid pestering your interviewer. And even if you don’t hear back from the company, there are still ways to keep yourself top of mind and build relationships for future opportunities. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to acing your follow-up strategy and securing that job offer!
