The Top Tip for Following Up After a Job Interview
Navigating the post-interview period can be as crucial as the interview itself. This article offers practical advice, curated from industry veterans, on how to effectively follow up after a job interview. Discover expert strategies to make a memorable impression and elevate your candidacy.
- Send a Genuine Thank-You Note
- Write a Thank You Note
- Reinforce Your Value
- Send a Quick Follow-Up Email
- Be Thoughtful and Genuine
- Own the Follow-Up
- Showcase Written Communication Skills
- Send a Personalized Video Message
Send a Genuine Thank-You Note
A thoughtful follow-up can be your game-changer!
One of the most underrated yet powerful steps after an interview is sending a genuine, well-crafted thank-you note. Sometimes, this simple gesture is the differentiator between two strong candidates! It not only shows professionalism and gratitude but also reinforces your enthusiasm and helps you stay top of mind.
To make your follow-up truly memorable:
Personalize it - Reference something specific from your conversation, whether it's a shared value, experience, connection, a challenge the company is facing, or a key takeaway that resonated with you.
Reaffirm your excitement - Express why you're excited about the role and how you see yourself contributing to the team.
Add extra value - Share a quick insight, an industry article, reference something you did in follow up to the conversation—it shows initiative and keeps the dialogue going.
And remember, even if this role doesn't work out, your follow-up can leave a lasting impression for future opportunities. Hiring needs evolve, and the way you handle post-interview communication can keep the door open for future roles or even referrals!
Write a Thank You Note
Write and send a thank you note within 24 hours after your interview to each person you with whom you interviewed. Reflect on what was memorable or insightful for you through the conversation with that individual. Write your thank you note from that lens, sharing what she/he/they helped you discover, its (simple) meaningfulness to you, and your appreciation of that. Sharing sincere appreciation tied to the specific experience you had together, gives them another experience of your personal and professional integrity and maturity.
Reinforce Your Value
A great follow-up isn't just about saying 'thank you' or checking in—it's about reinforcing your value and keeping the conversation going. One of the best ways to do this is by reflecting on something specific from the interview that stood out to you. Maybe the interviewer mentioned a key challenge their team is facing, an exciting project in the works, or a company goal that resonated with you. Referencing this in your follow-up shows that you were engaged and thoughtful during the conversation.
To make an even stronger impression, take it a step further by adding value. If the interviewer spoke about a challenge—say, improving customer retention—you could follow up by sharing an article or case study on innovative retention strategies. This not only keeps the conversation relevant but also shows that you're already thinking about solutions. For example:
'I really enjoyed our discussion about customer retention strategies and was thinking more about what you shared. I recently came across this article on how [Company X] improved retention by 30% with a small shift in user engagement. It reminded me of what we discussed, and I thought you might find it interesting. I'd love to hear if you've explored similar approaches.'
This approach does three things: it reminds the interviewer of your engagement during the conversation, positions you as someone who takes initiative, and subtly reinforces your fit for the role. Instead of just waiting for an update, you're making a lasting impression by contributing to the discussion in a meaningful way. Hiring managers remember candidates who go beyond the basics—those who show curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine interest in the work they'd be doing.
Send a Quick Follow-Up Email
Send a quick follow-up email (2-3 sentences) that expresses how much you enjoyed speaking, that you're even more excited about the job now than before the call, and that you look forward to hearing about next steps. Don't be overly formal (or overly casual), and use natural language (no corporate gobbledygook about "circling back").
One specific tip: reference something in the interview, and say, "Our back-and-forth about _______ really got my wheels turning. I can't stop thinking about the opportunity we have to _________ - I think I'd have a lot of fun tackling this role!" This will show genuine excitement and reinforce the memory of a positive part of the conversation.
Be Thoughtful and Genuine
Good day!
Whether your interview was online or in person, it doesn't matter the key to following up is being thoughtful and genuine. When you send a thank-you email for a virtual interview, ensure you reflect on the experience in that email by including something specific or meaningful that came up during the conversation. You might even comment on how seamless the online format was, implying you appreciated that arrangement and adjusted to it well.
If you had an in-person interview, include a sentence thanking them for taking time to meet with you and mentioning what you liked about their office or team culture. If you talked about a specific project or document in the chat, mentioning it in your follow-up can help make your message feel even more personalized and relevant.
Being authentic and genuine is the best way for a candidate to be memorable for all the right reasons. By sharing your personality and showing what you are most passionate and skillful about, you can make a positive impression on your potential employer among other candidates. And making sure you are prepared with and researched about the company and position during the interview will make employers remember you more.
Own the Follow-Up
Own the follow-up. The last question you should ask at the end of a job interview is to find out what the next steps in the process are. Once you get that timeline, clarify it, and, let's say you should hear back by next Wednesday. Take ownership of that and ask further, "if I haven't heard back from you by next Wednesday, would you be opposed to me sending you a follow-up email to check-in." That way you have concrete next steps. Also, if they say no, then that's probably not a good sign, but at least it's a sign.
Showcase Written Communication Skills
A well-written thank-you note, sent within 24 hours of the interview, is a great way to build a connection with the employer. It is also an opportunity for applicants to showcase their written communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow up. When drafting the note, candidates should remind the interviewer of something they mentioned during the interview while highlighting why they would be a good fit for the role. There is a chance that not every applicant invited to an interview will send the employer a thank-you note. Sending a thoughtful and personalized message can help candidates stand out and put their best foot forward.
Send a Personalized Video Message
Hello CareerCoaches.io team,
I thought I'd chime in as I help professionals in my work to stand out for all the right reasons.
Most candidates default to a standard thank-you email. While a note is always a nice touch, there's an opportunity to go beyond the expected and truly stand out. Send a short, personalized video message.
You could reflect on key moments from the conversation and reinforce your enthusiasm for the role. It adds a human element—instead of being just another name in the inbox, you become the real person that the hiring manager will see, hear, and connect with again. And if you want to take it up a notch, you can get even more creative:
- On-site thank you (if possible): visit one of the company's locations to film a short message, which adds an extra level of commitment.
- A behind-the-scenes peek of your work: showcase something relevant to the role—whether it's a project or a skill you discussed.
- Using their product or service: Incorporate something the company offers in your video, which subtly reinforces your alignment with their brand.
- A location-based hook: Choose a setting that reflects the company's mission as it can create a strong visual connection.
While I don't go through traditional job interviews, as a speaker, I constantly find myself in selection processes where I'm being considered for speaking engagements. And just like job candidates, I know that standing out requires more than sending a follow-up email.
A retailer specializing in automotive parts was considering me for a keynote. Rather than waiting for a decision, I drove straight to one of their locations and recorded a short video right in front of their store, reinforcing how excited I was about the possibility of working with them. I then walked inside, filmed myself purchasing an affordable item that directly tied into my keynote, and used that moment to connect my expertise with their customer experience journey. That same day, I got hired.
Why did it work? Because I didn't just tell them I was the right fit—I showed them.
The same principle applies to job seekers: Go beyond words. Show, don't just tell. Take that extra step to personalize your follow-up. It shifts the hiring manager's perception of you from "just another candidate" to someone who is proactive, creative, and deeply engaged.
Hope these insights help you and your readers! If you'd like to dive deeper, I'd love to contribute more. Looking forward to your piece!
Warmly, Sylvie
