You've just completed a job interview that you believe went well, and now you're in that delicate post-interview phase. While the interview itself is a crucial part of the job-seeking process, what you do afterward can make a significant difference.

The art of following up after a job interview is about leaving a positive, lasting impression and demonstrating your continued interest in the position as well as your exceptional communication skills.

In this blog post, we'll explore the best practices for post-interview follow-up, including thank-you notes and inquiries.

Send a Prompt Thank-You Note

The first step in post-interview etiquette is sending a thank-you note. It may sound simple, but it's an essential part of the process.

Send a personalized email within 24 hours of your interview expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and reiterating your interest in the position.

Here's a template of an email I've used in the past:

Dear [Interviewer name],

Thankyou again for your time today, it was great to have the opportunity to meet you [in person / virtually].

Regardless of the outcome I wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation and also let you know I'm available to answer any concerns or additional questions you may have. I've loved learning about [Organisation name] and getting to know yourself as well.

I'm looking forward to hearing next steps.

Have a lovely rest of your week,

Warm Regards,

[Your Name]

Address Any Unanswered Questions

If there were questions or topics during the interview that you didn't get a chance to address, this is an excellent time to do so. In your thank-you note, you can briefly touch on any outstanding points and provide concise, relevant information.

This demonstrates your commitment to the position and your attention to detail.

The Follow-Up Inquiry and when to send it

Often in interviews the interviewer will discuss a timeline for their decision making process. After sending your thankyou note it's always polite to wait until after this timeline has finished before following up as you don't want to come across as impatient.

After that timeline has passed or after a few days post-interview try following up with a polite reminder, here's an example you can use as a template:

Dear [Interviewer's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on our recent interview for the [position name] role at [Organisation Name]. I am still very interested in the opportunity to join your team and contribute to [Organisation Name]'s continued success. I appreciate that you might be evaluating other candidates however I wanted to inquire if there have been any updates regarding the hiring process.

Thank you once again for considering me for this role. I look forward to the possibility of working with [Company Name].

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

Stay Professional and Courteous

Throughout the follow-up process, maintain a high level of professionalism and courtesy.

Even if you ultimately don't get the job, your positive interactions could lead to future opportunities within the company!

Following up after a job interview is not just a polite gesture; it's a strategic move that can help you stand out in a pack of candidates.

A well-crafted thank-you note and a considerate follow-up inquiry show your enthusiasm for the role and your professionalism.

So, don't underestimate the power of a thoughtful follow-up. It's not just an art; it's a valuable skill to utilise on your job hunt.

Best of luck!

- This blog post was written by Toby Conran, a recruitment consultant in our temp/contract services team. You can reach him on tobyc@coxpurtell.com.au.