✦Job search · 11 recordsFollow up after an interview

What happens after an interview is mostly waiting, and waiting badly: refreshing email, following up too soon or not at all. This sends a short, specific thank-you email within a day, notes what was said while it is fresh, sets a follow-up date from the timeline the interviewer gave, and briefs your references before anybody calls them.

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✦ Everything it creates

The whole plan, before you install it

Goal

Every interview followed up properly Week 3

Thanked, noted, followed up on time, references ready.

Within a day Day 1

While the conversation is still fresh.

  • Write down what was discussed and who I metDo firstDay 1
  • Send a short thank-you email to each interviewerDo firstDay 1
  • Note the timeline they gave for a decisionDo firstDay 1

While waiting Week 3

Useful waiting, not refreshing the inbox.

  • Brief my references on the role and what to emphasiseDo firstDay 3
  • Keep applying elsewhereDo firstDay 5
  • Send one follow-up after the promised dateDo firstDay 10
  • Send a final follow-up a week later, if neededWeek 2
✦ It comes with a note

Email outlines

Thank you Thank you for your time today. I enjoyed hearing about [something specific], and it made me more interested in the role. I think my experience with [relevant thing] would help with [their challenge]. Please let me know if you need anything further.

Follow-up I wanted to follow up on my interview for [role] on [date]. I am still very interested, and would be grateful for any update on the timeline.

Keep both short. Specific beats enthusiastic.

✦ Questions

Follow up after an interview, answered.

Within 24 hours, and ideally the same day. A short email to each interviewer that mentions something specific from the conversation is more useful than a long one, and it is often among the last things they read before deciding.
A couple of working days after the date they said you would hear back. If they gave no timeline, a week to ten days is reasonable. One polite follow-up, then a second a week later, is enough.
That you are still interested, a one-line reminder of why you are a good fit, and a question about the timeline. Keep it to three or four sentences; the note in this plan has an outline to adapt.
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