The Final Stretch - Post Interview Follow Up

Job hunting isn’t easy.

In fact, it can feel like a never-ending marathon. So, once an interview is done, jobseekers may believe the last stretch is over. However, there are still steps to take. This Tip is about how to continue to engage with hiring managers after the interview, so you remain active in the hiring process.

24 hours post-interview: If you have the email address of the hiring manager or recruiter, send a thank you email. You could also include work samples in the email (but only if requested and applicable). And now is the time to mentally organize your interview notes in case you want to reference something later (in a second interview for instance).

1 day to 2 weeks post-interview: Continue to research the organization, and the position. This information, combined with self-reflection, will help you determine if the role fits into your career goals. That way, if you are offered the position, you are more prepared to respond with an informed decision.

2 weeks+ post-interview with no update: Consider sending a follow up email if you haven’t heard back from an organization for 2 weeks after the interview and it’s a role you are genuinely interested in. You want to gently reiterate your interest, and ask if they are able to provide an update.

Here’s a sample: “I wanted to follow up to see if there have been any updates regarding the [position name] role with [organization] that I interviewed for on [date of interview]. I am still very interested in the role, and I am excited to hear about next steps, so any information you can share would be great.”

If you are rejected over email: Be gracious, brief and professional. Even in rejection, it is always important to maintain a positive professional relationship. Here’s an example : “Hello [Hiring Manager’s Name], Thank you so much for informing me and giving me the opportunity to be considered for this position.”

Final thoughts

While tackling an interview is one of the biggest hurdles you will likely face in job hunting, it is important to maintain a positive attitude following an interview. From your own research, reflection, and professional correspondences, you need to maintain an active versus passive role as you go forward in your professional journey.