So, you’ve just nailed that interview. The conversation flowed, you connected with the interviewer, and you left feeling confident. But the job isn’t yours yet. What crucial element can tip the scales in your favor? The answer is a well-crafted follow up email after interview. It’s more than just good manners; it’s a strategic move to reinforce your interest and highlight your qualifications. But how do you avoid the common pitfalls and create an email that truly resonates?
Why a Follow Up Email Matters
In today’s competitive job market, a simple “thank you” often isn’t enough. A follow up email is an opportunity to,
- Reinforce Your Interest, It reiterates your enthusiasm for the position and the company. It shows you’re not just passively waiting, but actively engaged.
- Reiterate Your Qualifications, Briefly remind the interviewer of key skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. Did you discuss a specific project or challenge? Connect your expertise to that conversation.
- Address Any Concerns, Did you stumble on a particular question during the interview? This is your chance to clarify your answer or provide additional context.
- Showcase Your Professionalism, A well-written, timely follow up reflects your attention to detail and commitment to professionalism. It communicates that you value the interviewer’s time and consideration.
- Stay Top of Mind, Interviewers often see numerous candidates. A follow up keeps your name fresh in their memory as they make their decision.
In short, a follow up email transforms a potentially passive situation into an active pursuit of your career goals.
Key Elements of an Effective Follow Up Email
What are the ingredients of a truly impactful follow up? Let’s break it down,
- Promptness, Aim to send your email within 24 hours of the interview. This demonstrates your eagerness and keeps you top of mind. Waiting too long can give the impression of disinterest.
- Personalization, Avoid generic templates. Reference specific points discussed during the interview. Mention the interviewer’s name correctly and personalize the message to reflect the conversation you had. Did they mention a company initiative or a shared interest? Weave it in.
- Professional Tone, Maintain a polite and professional tone throughout the email. Avoid slang, overly casual language, or humor that could be misinterpreted. Remember, you’re building a professional relationship.
- Conciseness, Keep your email brief and to the point. Recruiters are busy; respect their time by delivering your message efficiently. Aim for a few short paragraphs.
- Value Proposition, Briefly reiterate how your skills and experience align with the company’s needs. What unique value do you bring to the table? Focus on what you can do for them, not just what they can do for you.
- Call to Action, End with a clear call to action. Express your continued interest in the position and invite further discussion. You might say, “I am eager to learn about next steps” or “Please let me know if you require any further information.”
- Proofread Carefully, Errors in grammar or spelling can undermine your credibility. Proofread meticulously before sending your email. Even better, ask a friend or colleague to review it for you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Follow Up
While a follow up is essential, certain missteps can sabotage your efforts. Be mindful of these common errors,
- Generic Templates, As mentioned earlier, avoid using generic templates that lack personalization. Tailor each email to the specific interview and interviewer.
- Typos and Grammatical Errors, Nothing screams “careless” like a follow up riddled with errors. Double-check your spelling and grammar before hitting send.
- Aggressive or Demanding Tone, Avoid sounding entitled or demanding. Express gratitude for the interviewer’s time and consideration, rather than pressuring them for a decision.
- Excessive Length, A rambling, overly lengthy email can be off-putting. Keep your message concise and focused.
- Asking About Salary or Benefits Too Soon, While compensation is important, it’s best to avoid discussing salary or benefits in your initial follow up. Focus on expressing your interest and reiterating your qualifications.
- Forgetting to Thank the Interviewer, Always express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview. This simple gesture shows your appreciation and leaves a positive impression.
- Sending Multiple Follow Ups, Resist the urge to send multiple follow ups in quick succession. One well-crafted email is usually sufficient. If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable timeframe (typically a week or two), you can send a brief, polite inquiry.
Examples of Effective Follow Up Emails
Let’s examine a few examples of effective follow up emails, tailored to different scenarios,
Example 1, Reinforcing a Key Skill
Subject, Following Up – [Your Name] – [Job Title] Interview
Dear [Interviewer Name],
Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [Job Title] position. I truly enjoyed learning more about [Company Name] and the challenges you’re tackling.
Our discussion about [Specific project or challenge discussed] particularly resonated with me. My experience in [Relevant skill or experience] would allow me to contribute meaningfully to [Company Name]’s efforts in this area.
I am very interested in this opportunity and eager to learn about the next steps in the hiring process.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 2, Addressing a Concern
Subject, Following Up – [Your Name] – [Job Title] Interview
Dear [Interviewer Name],
Thank you for the insightful conversation we had this morning regarding the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. I appreciated learning about [Specific aspect of the company or role that interests you].
I wanted to briefly follow up on our discussion about [Specific question or topic discussed]. After further thought, I wanted to add that [Clarify or expand on your answer].
I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team and confident that my skills and experience align well with your requirements.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 3, Expressing Enthusiasm
Subject, Following Up – [Your Name] – [Job Title] Interview
Dear [Interviewer Name],
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and was particularly impressed by [Specific aspect of the company or role that impressed you].
The more I learned about [Company Name]’s mission and values, the more excited I became about the possibility of contributing to your team.
I am confident that my skills in [Key skill 1] and [Key skill 2] would be a valuable asset to your organization.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Crafting the perfect