Tips for Grads: Mastering the art of the follow-up
Career Development
A smart, well-timed follow-up message can make or break your quest to land the job you’re seeking. In a 2017 survey by TopResume, nearly 70% of interviewers said that receiving a thank-you note helped them determine their final candidate. Here are some tips for making the most of this opportunity.
Start the follow-up process before your job interview concludes. Before you leave the interview, ask some questions to facilitate future follow-up. A good start would be to inquire about the next steps.
Make some notes immediately after the interview. Summarize what happened in the interview, noting anything else you may want to cover in future communications. Also brainstorm what to highlight in your thank-you notes, such as something that an interviewer said that resonated with you.
Gather other details you might need for your thank-you notes. Did you forget to request an interviewer’s email address? Don’t sweat it: You may be able to find this information on the company’s website.
Be concise. Restate your interest in the position and thank the interviewers for spending time with you. Then briefly elaborate on a point you made in the interview or mention a detail you didn’t have a chance to share in person.
Send notes promptly. While paper thank-you notes used to be the way of the workplace, email is usually preferable these days. Email a thank-you message to each interviewer within a day or so.
