Getting a job these days can be an arduous task, with the labor market seeing many entrants and not a corresponding increase in the number of jobs available. Because of this, you have to do something more than the average job-seeker to improve your chances.
There are several different follow-up emails you can send after an interview; these emails are typical to serve other uses and at different times. After an interview, the optimism and anticipation are high, especially if you did your best. However, most times, you still wait forever without a reply.
That moment of silence from the interviewer can cause doubt to grow, but sometimes they may still be busy with the process or arranging remuneration and packages to offer. However, more often than not, it is because they have forgotten about you. Another user may have stayed longer in their minds – one of the best ways to stay at the top of their minds is by sending follow-up emails.
Not just any email you can craft but something with the right motives and language, which will help your chances of landing the job. Of course, you can get the job without sending a single follow-up email, but sending such an email can significantly improve your chances, especially when it is a competitive position.
Here in this article, you’ll learn what follow-up emails are, steps to take to write the perfect Email, and even get direct samples you can swipe and craft your follow-up emails.
Also Read: How to Write a Resume To Land a Job Interview
Why Send a Follow-Up Email?
There are so many reasons you should send a follow-up email after your interview, and the purpose will guide your email and what you should say in it. If you’ve not been sending follow-up emails, you might not even know why you should send these emails. Well, that’s why this piece is vital.
The importance of following up cannot be overemphasized, so here are some of the reasons you should send that email.
- It emphasizes your soft skills: Good follow-up emails should be thoughtful, enthusiastic, and include personal conversation, which shows your soft skills – a part of you the interviewers are probably yet to see. This email should portray your communication skills which is an essential requirement for most roles.
- To stay at the top of the interviewer’s minds: Sometimes interviewers forget about a candidate even after they must have done well during the interview because of one reason or the other, but sending a follow-up email will help to stay at the top of their minds and invariably improve your chances of getting the job.
- It’s courteous: If not for anything else, sending a follow-up email, especially a thank you email, is courteous. The hiring managers will see you as a respectful person who values your time.
- A second chance: Many job seekers do not know they have a second chance to impress their interviewers by sending a follow-up email. You can include things you missed and reiterate your selling points.
Types of Follow Up Emails
There are different forms of follow-up emails you can send after an interview. Typically, these forms depend on when you’re sending the email after the interview and what you plan to achieve.
- Thank you email: This is a type of email you send immediately after an interview, typically within 24 hours. The purpose of this email is to thank the interviewers for their time while reiterating why you’re the best for the positions and asking are the next steps.
For Best Thank You Email Samples Read Our Article: Sample Thank You Email After a Job Interview - Reminder email: This is an email you send to your Interviewers if you haven’t heard back from them in a while. The purpose of this email is to remind the interviewer in case they have forgotten about your application and subtlety show them your enthusiasm for the job. Most times, this email is sent after the thank you email.
- Check-in email: This is a simple email you can send to keep in touch and help you network better. You can connect and improve your network.
How to Write a Follow Up Email After Interview?
It is pretty easy to write a follow-up email that can harm your chances of getting the job instead of helping you. This is why you do not want to send just about anything you can craft. It would be best if you were sure you were sending a thoughtful message over. So how do you do this? This is why this section is here – to guide you through the process.
1. Choose Your Purpose of Sending
The first thing you should do is know the reason you’re sending this email. Having a clear purpose will help you understand how to craft the perfect follow-up email. Check the “types of follow-up emails ” section if you’ve forgotten some of the most popular reasons why you may need to send these emails.
2. Select a Subject Line
A subject line is the first thing your interviewer will see even before opening your email. This is your first chance to impress and get them to open the email. The subject line should be captivating and relatable. Depending on the type of email you’re sending, it should express appreciation for your Interviewer’s time; it can also quickly say the reason for the email like a reminder. Here are some strong subject lines you can use:
- I learned so much from you today, thank you!
- Thank you for your time today
- I appreciate your advice {put Interviewer’s name}
- Follow up concerning {put position}
3. Appreciative First Paragraph
Your first paragraph should show your appreciation, and this is not limited to the thank you email type only. You should show gratitude and thank the interviewer for the time before talking about other things. This will set the tone for the rest of the email and soften the interviewer’s stance when they are reading the body of your email.
4. Purpose of Sending the Email
Now to the main reason for sending the email – following up on the interview you had. Remember to keep it simple and to the point. You do not want to bore the reader with irrelevant words. The phrase “less is more” holds a lot of water here.
Let the interviewer know that the email is a follow-up to an interview you had with them. Make sure to mention the date and position. It’ll help to jog the memory of the interviewer back in case they have forgotten.
Quickly chip in anything that you may have missed and can improve your chances of getting the job, and then let the interviewer know you’re keen to know the next steps.
5. Let the Interviewer Know You’re Open to More Questions
End by thanking the recruiter for their time again and let them know that you’re open to answering any question they may have concerning the job. Leave your signature and contact details at the end of the email.
Samples of Follow Up Emails After Interview
Enough of the talk; here are direct examples you can tweak and use when sending a follow-up email after an interview.
1. Thank You Email
Send this to the interviewer(s) individually, making sure it is personalized to each person.
Subject line: Thank you!
Dear Mr. John,
Thank you for your time yesterday. I learned a lot about the company and the role.
Our conversation further increased my enthusiasm for the role of marketing director at Hobss. I’m already thinking of ways to help the new launch you mentioned in our discussion if given the opportunity.
My background as a technical expert and product manager will make transitioning into the role seamless. Would you mind reaching out to me if you have other questions?Thank you
Mandela Aka
000,000,000
2. Reminder Email
Send this email to the hiring manager or lead interviewer when you haven’t received a reply after a couple of weeks.
Subject Line: Follow up on the position of Marketing Director
Hello Mr. John,
It was great seeing the facility and meeting the team behind the successful launch of the By4 product. I’m following up on the role of Marketing Director I interviewed for on the 20th of last month. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning this.
Thank you
Mandela Aka
00-000-000
3. Checking-in Emails
You could send this email anytime after the last email, even if you did not get the job.
Subject Line: Keeping in touch
Dear Mr. John,
Thank you once again for your time and consideration for the job of marketing Director. Our conversations over this period were a proper enlightenment period for me. I was able to pick your dedication as one of your reasons for growth. I am keen to grow in this industry, and this is why I’d love to have more of these conversations whenever you can spare the chance.
Can you spare 15 minutes from your busy schedule for a quick chat anytime within the next couple of weeks?Thank you
Mandela Aka
00-000-000
Extra Tips for Writing a Follow Up Email
Here are extra tips you can use to improve your follow up email writing:
- Keep it Simple: Do not write too many words or add unnecessary details. These are busy professionals, so make it easier for them by keeping it short and to-the-point.
- Show enthusiasm: Show you want the job by integrating readiness into your message but be careful not to sound too eager. Nobody wants a desperate employee.
- Use a professional tone of voice: Don’t get it twisted; this is still a professional message even though it is through email. Keep your style conversational while remaining professional.
- Crosscheck for errors: Go through your email and crosscheck for grammatical mistakes. Make sure it is adequately spaced and easily readable.
Also Read: 9 Job Interview Tips To Ace Your Next Job Interview
Summary
If you’ve not been sending follow-up emails after interviews, then you’ve been doing it wrong, and it may be the reason you’ve not landed that dream job yet. Writing the perfect follow-up email is straightforward once you can determine the basis for sending the email and follow the guide above.
