Having a successful interview and impressing the recruiter is only part of landing a job. You need to see it all the way through and let your recruiter know how much you want the job. According to James Caan, CEO of the Hamilton Bradshaw Group, “it’s never enough to just send out applications and go to interviews — you need to go the extra mile every single time.” Here are some guidelines on how to follow up after an interview to maximize your chances of getting hired.
Record Key Information
As soon as the interview is over, you should make notes of a few things that will aid in your follow up note. This will include the following:
- The recruiter’s name
- Specific questions they asked
- Concerns they had
- Anything else that stood out in your mind
This will come in handy later on because you can personalize your follow-up note, and the recruiter should be impressed with your attention to detail.
Choose Your Timing
First of all, it’s critical that you follow up at the right time. Do it too early, and you might appear a bit desperate. Do it too late, and the position may already be filled. Most experts agree that it’s best to follow up between 24 and 48 hours after the interview. This should give a recruiter enough time to consider you as a job candidate, and the interview will still be fresh in their mind.
Choose Your Format
In most cases, you will want to send an email when following up. This tends to be the quickest and most efficient method of making contact. However, some people like to use the more formal and traditional format of sending a handwritten note. According to Forbes, this old-fashioned technique still appeals to many hiring managers, so it’s worth considering.
Information to Include
When writing your note, it should be brief, to the point and personalized. Here is a template to give you an idea of what to say.
Dear [recruiter’s name]
Thanks so much for meeting me on [the day of interview]. I really enjoyed speaking with you about the [job position]. After learning more, I feel that I would be a great addition to your company and my job skills would put me in a position to succeed. Please keep me posted on the status of this position, and you can reach me at [your contact information]. If you need any additional information, just let me know.
Enjoy your week,
[Your name]
This is just a template to get you started, and you’ll want to customize your follow up note, and you may want to include extra information.
Points to Remember
- Write down important information post-interview.
- Send a note within 24 to 48 hours after the interview.
- Send either an email or handwritten note.
- Include key information in the note, and personalize it.
By being proactive and following up after an interview, it should help you stand out above other candidates and increase your chances of getting the job. Click here for more free advice and job search tips.
