Here’s Why an Interview Follow-Up Is So Important

Once your interview wraps up, you may assume that the next move is in the hiring manager’s hands. While it’s true that they’ll be the ones making a decision about who moves forward, that doesn’t mean your work is done. Instead, you need to prepare to follow up.

If you’re wondering why following up after an interview is important, as well as when and how you should do it, here’s what you need to know.

The Importance of Following Up After an Interview

Following up after an interview accomplishes a few things. First, it allows you to express your gratitude for the opportunity. After all, the hiring manager took time out of their day to consider you for the role, and that’s worth acknowledging.

Second, following up gives you a chance to position yourself as a stronger candidate. It lets you demonstrate your interest in the position, showing the hiring manager that you’d still like to be a contender.

Third, you have a chance to share extra details during a follow-up message. For example, you can share a relevant story from your professional past that you didn’t get to discuss during the meeting or tap on a shared interest you discovered while talking.

Finally, a follow-up reminds the hiring manager of you. Since the hiring manager may have met with several (or even dozens) of candidates, it doesn’t hurt to remind them that you’re in the running.

When and How to Follow Up After an Interview

Generally speaking, there are two times that you want to follow up after an interview. First, you want to send a thank you email within 24 hours. That way, you can express your appreciation for the opportunity, reiterate your interest, and showcase your enthusiasm. Plus, if you accidentally forgot a point you wanted to mention during the meeting, you may be able to squeeze it in, too.

Whether you need to follow up again depends on whether you get a response from the hiring manager regarding a hiring decision. Usually, you don’t want to request an update too aggressively. That means, if the hiring manager provided you with a decision date at any point of the process, you need to wait until the business day after that before you reach out again.

If you weren’t given a date, then give the hiring manager one to two weeks after your interview before reaching out. That way, enough time has passed that they likely had a chance to consider their options.

Should I Reach Out For a Second Time?

When reaching out for the second time, email is usually best. Simply request an update regarding the hiring process, as well as reassert your interest in the opportunity.

Ultimately, following up after an interview is a critical part of the process. It gives you a chance to ensure to remind the hiring manager of your interest, as well as potentially get an update about when a decision is likely.

Selectek Can Help You Land an Interview – And a Job!

If you’d like to find out more about how you can increase your chances of getting hired, the staff at Selectek wants to hear from you. Contact us today.