What to Do After an Interview

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After your interview, you should prepare to follow up with the hiring manager to show your interest in the position. Sending an email or letter after an interview can help remind the interviewer that you’re a strong potential candidate and this step may help you stand out from other applicants. In this article, learn what to do after an interview, how to follow up and questions to ask after an interview.

What to do after an interview

It is important to remain professional and be proactive in your job search even after an interview. Once you have completed your interview, it may impress employers if they notice you applying additional effort toward following up with them and completing any remaining tasks. Reaching out to the hiring manager can show them your dedication to the role and helps you stand out from other applicants. 

Questions to ask after an interview

Here are questions you can ask an employer after an interview: 

  • ‘Do you have any next steps in mind regarding the rest of this interview process?’
  • ‘What date do you believe I will hear back about this position?’ 
  • ‘Are there any additional items you need from me?’ 
  • ‘Can you tell me more about the overall culture within the company?’ 
  • ‘Who would you say your top competitors are and how do you believe you’re different?’
  • ‘What do you think are the biggest challenges this company may be facing?’

When following up with an interviewer, you should ask them certain questions to gain an understanding of the position, company and your potential team or department. You can ask these questions immediately after the interview has finished. 

How to be proactive after an interview

Here are some things you can to do to be proactive after an interview: 

1. First, ask about the next steps and request a date to hear back

Once you’ve completed your interview, you should immediately request the next steps. These next steps may include an additional interview, submitting work samples and an approximate date the interviewer intends to contact you. 

2. Second, write down key points from the interview

As soon as the meeting is complete, you should write down key elements of the interview including items discussed and your thoughts about them. You can use these points when following up with the interviewer or during your next interview, if possible. 

3. Third, add the interviewer and other staff members on social media

You can show your commitment to the company and get to know employees by searching for the interviewer and staff members on social media and connecting with them. Send a friendly and brief message reminding them who you are when you initially send the connection request. 

4. Fourth, reach out to your references

Your interviewer may contact your references immediately following the interview to learn more about your experience and skills. If you haven’t already, send them a message after the interview to inform them that they are listed as a reference and may be contacted soon. 

5. Then, send a letter to the interviewer to thank them for their time

Within 24 hours, be sure to send the interviewer a message thanking them for their time. You can send this as an email or letter highlighting points you previously noted from the interview and express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. 

6. Last, send a follow-up message to the interviewer

When the interviewer’s follow-up date has passed, you can send a follow-up message to the interviewer. You can professionally request an update on the position and ask if they need any additional information from you.  

Tips for writing a thank you letter or email after an interview

Here are some tips you can follow when writing your own thank you note after an interview:

Thank the interviewer for their time

You should write an email or letter that details your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration in meeting with you. Sending this thank you note will show the interviewer that you’re passionate about the role and the company. 

Express your continued interest in the opportunity

When thanking your interviewer for their time, you should also express your appreciation for the opportunity, why you believe you’d be a great fit for the company and restate any points brought up in the interview you believe would be relevant to mention. 

Keep your letter concise and relevant to your job application

Keep your message simple for the interviewer to easily scan. Include only the information you believe is important and relevant to the overall interview. 

Use a simple subject line for a thank you email

The subject of your email should be professional and simple for the recipient to understand what the email will be about. 

Subject line example:

 ‘Subject: Taylor Williams Interview – Thank You’

Consider sending a handwritten thank you note

Many hiring managers may be impressed with applicants who send hand-written thank you letters. This shows them you put time and thought into your follow-up letter and it makes the letter feel more personalized toward the specific interviewer. 

Example of a thank you note after an interview

Here is an example of a professional thank you message:

Dear Mr. Adams,

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you and your team during the Marketing Coordinator interview on Tuesday. I enjoyed discussing our opinions on teamwork and the importance of collaborating with all departments to provide valuable projects. Because we agree so strongly on these ideas, I believe I could fit in well at your company. 

If you need further information, you can reach me via email at twilliams@email.com or by phone at 555-555-5555. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely,
Taylor Williams

Tips for writing a follow-up email after an interview

After sending your initial thank you letter or email to the interviewer, you should wait to contact them again. If you were given a date that you may hear back from the interviewer, you should wait to send an email until after the given date has passed. If you weren’t given a follow-up date, you can send a follow-up email about one week after your interview. This email should remain professional and appreciative as you request an update about the process. You can remind them of your additional skills and qualifications that make you perfect for the position and ask if they would like any other materials to help them make their decision. 

Example of a follow-up email after an interview

Here is an example of an email message you can send when following up after an interview: 

Subject: Taylor Williams – Marketing Coordinator Interview Follow-Up

Hello Mr. Adams, 

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to interview with you last Tuesday. I’ve been thinking about our conversation regarding analytical software and have used my research skills to find many platforms that could benefit your marketing team’s productivity. I would love to discuss this further if we’re able to meet once again. 

Please let me know if any additional material is needed from me including my portfolio, work samples or reference letters. You can reach me via email at twilliams@email.com or by phone at 555-555-5555.

Thank you again for your time.

Sincerely, 
Taylor Williams