After an interview, it’s natural to feel anxious and wonder when you should follow up. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some guidelines you can follow to increase your chances of getting noticed.
24-48 Hours vs. 1 Week: Which is Better?
According to a survey by The Muse, 48% of hiring managers prefer candidates to follow up within 24-48 hours after an interview. However, 32% of hiring managers are okay with waiting up to 1 week.
What to Do in Your Follow-Up
Your follow-up should be brief and professional. It should thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. You can also use this opportunity to address any concerns you may have or provide additional information that you didn’t have time to share during the interview.
Tips for an Effective Follow-Up
- Be concise: Keep your follow-up email or message to a few sentences.
- Be professional: Use formal language and proofread your message carefully.
- Be patient: Don’t expect a response immediately. Hiring managers are busy people, so it may take them some time to get back to you.
What Not to Do in Your Follow-Up
- Don’t be pushy: Don’t send multiple follow-ups or call the interviewer repeatedly. This can come across as desperate and annoying.
- Don’t be negative: Don’t use your follow-up to complain about the interview or the company.
- Don’t give up: If you don’t hear back from the interviewer after a week, don’t give up. You can send a follow-up reminder or reach out to the hiring manager on LinkedIn.
What if You Don’t Get a Response?
If you don’t get a response from the hiring manager after a week or two, it’s okay to reach out again. However, be aware that they may not have time to respond to your follow-up. If you still don’t hear back after a few more weeks, it’s probably best to move on.
Table 1: Follow-Up Timeline
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| 24-48 hours | Send a thank-you email or message. |
| 1 week | Send a follow-up reminder or reach out on LinkedIn. |
| 2 weeks | Send a final follow-up email or message. |
| 3 weeks | Move on. |
Table 2: Follow-Up Content
| Content | Example |
|---|---|
| Thank you | “Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the [position name] position. I enjoyed learning more about the company and the role.” |
| Reiterate interest | “I am very interested in the position and believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team.” |
| Address concerns | “During the interview, I mentioned that I am currently working on a project that is similar to the one you described. I would be happy to provide you with more information about this project.” |
| Provide additional information | “I recently completed a certification in [subject matter]. I believe that this certification would make me a more qualified candidate for the position.” |
Table 3: Follow-Up Dos and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Be concise | Be pushy |
| Be professional | Be negative |
| Be patient | Give up |
| Proofread your message | Send multiple follow-ups |
| Use formal language | Call the interviewer repeatedly |
Table 4: Follow-Up Tips and Tricks
| Tip | Trick |
|---|---|
| Use a template | Create a follow-up template that you can easily customize for each interview. |
| Set a reminder | Set a reminder on your calendar to follow up with the hiring manager. |
| Send a handwritten note | A handwritten thank-you note can make a lasting impression. |
| Connect on LinkedIn | Connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and send them a message. |
| Use a follow-up tool | There are a number of online tools that can help you automate your follow-ups. |
Conclusion
Following up after an interview is an important part of the job search process. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and landing the job you want.
