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Timing is crucial, as it is the way you present yourself during this post-job interview phase. In this effective step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through on perfect timing for interview follow-ups to reach out and ensure a lasting positive impression about you in a job offer. Let's scroll down the guide:
Understand the Employer's timeline
Before pressing the 'ENTER' key to send an email with an update, take a moment to recall any timeline details the employer might have mentioned during your conversation. Many employers will provide an estimated timeline to decide, and it's important to respect their timeline.
If they didn't mention the timeline during the job interview, don't hesitate to ask when you can expect to hear back. If the employer has mentioned a specific timeframe for evaluating candidates, then please respect their protocol and be patient.
Send a Thank You Message
Now that interview is over, don't laze around. The first thing you should do is send a thank you via mail within 24 hours of the. Interview process. This simple gesture can reinforce your interest in the role. It's best to send your thank you mail as soon as possible as mentioned ideally within 24 hours. The sooner you send it, the stronger the impact can be in the interviewer's mind.
What to Include in thank you note:
- Express Gratitude: Thank the employer for their time and the opportunity to interview process.
- Re-Affirm your qualities: Highlight a skill or experience that makes you a great fit for the job role.
- Spread Positivity: Format a Thank you note by mentioning something thing that you enjoyed meeting during the interview.
How to follow up after a week
If you haven't heard back after another note after a week, then it's time for a gentle reminder. After the mentioned timeframe or a certain time has passed, then you can send a polite email to check in on the status of your application. Wait around a week after your interview to follow up. This shows that you're still interested while respecting the employer's time.
What to expect in your follow-up email:
- Reference your previous mail: Draft a mail in the same thread as your previous mail, mention your interview date and time, and express your interest.
- Ask for an update: Stay positive and be polite in asking for an update, if there have been any developments regarding the position.
- Re-Affirm your interest: Let the employers know that you're still interested in the position.
What to Do If You Haven't Heard Back After Your First Follow up
You've sent a follow-up email and still haven't received a reply after about a week, it's time to consider sending a second follow-up. Keep in mind that hiring team decisions can sometimes take a longer time than expected, and the delay might not have anything to do with candidates. However, it is important to remain polite & patient with continued interest and gently ask for an update. Wait another 7-10 days before sending a second email. This is enough time for the hiring person to either make a decision or continue considering other applications.
Key Points to consider in your second email:
- Professionalism: Acknowledge that you understand the hiring phase takes time.
- Stay Enthusiastic: Briefly remind them of your excitement about the role and your interest in contributing to their team.
- Don't Tone Impatient: Don't over-analyze by over-explaining your follow-ups, it ends up with frustration. Keep your tone friendly and polite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid during the Follow-up
- Following up too soon: Reaching out the hour after your interview can come across as impatient or pushy. Always give the employer enough time to evaluate candidates.
- Being too persistent: Sending multiple follow-ups within a short timeframe can hurt your chances. If you don't receive a response after a couple of attempts, then it's best to move forward.
- Using an unprofessional tone: Your follow-ups should maintain a polite & professional tone. Avoid overly casual language or dominating phrases like " When will I hear back?" instead choose polite tones like " I look forward to hearing back."
- Making mistakes: A follow-up email with typos & grammatical errors can leave a negative impression. Take time to review your mail carefully.
Recognizing Red Flags During the waiting period
While it's normal for some delays to happen during the hiring process from the interviewer, certain signs might indicate that the phase isn't going as smoothly as you'd hoped. Recognizing these signs early can help you manage your expectations and decide when it's time to move on to a better job.
Lack of Clarity about the next steps: A professional courtesy of the hiring phase typically includes a clear outline of the next steps. If the interviewer didn't specify a timeline or week for making a decision or wasn't forthcoming about the discussion, it could be a sign of disorganization or uncertainty within the organization's network.
Missed Communication Deadlines: If the interviewer promised to contact back to you within a certain timeline and failed to do so, this could be a sign of a lack of respect for the job seeker's time. While delays can happen due to unforeseen circumstances, consistently missed deadlines without explanation may indicate poor communication practices.
Repeated Changes in the Timeline: If the hiring manager keeps extending the timeline without providing clear answers, it might be a sign that they are a bit indecisive, have internal issues, or prioritize other candidates. A company that struggles with decision-making during the hiring process may have similar challenges in day-to-day operations.
Generic or Vague Responses: When you follow up, the hiring manager's response can provide valuable insight. If they respond with vague or generic phrases like " We're still deciding" or "We'll let you know," without offering any concrete updates, it might indicate a lack of interest or transparency.
Watch for Negative Reviews about the Company: During the waiting period, it's a good idea to research the company on various platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, or LinkedIn. If you come across numerous negative reviews mentioning poor communication, interview feedback, or any additional information on the disorganized environment in a company.
Overly Long Waiting Period.: While some hiring phases genuinely take longer time due to multiple interviewing rounds or approval requirements, an excessively long waiting period to contact back without updates could indicate poor planning or indecision.
What if You Don't Hear Back?
While it's frustrating, silence from the hiring manager is not uncommon, if you haven't got your feedback after two or three follow-ups or a month has passed, it's time to move forward.
Signs of a time to Let go
- The prospective employer stops responding completely.
- You learn that the job role has been filled.
- The company's communication is consistently delayed or unprofessional.
Keep Building your network
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Conclusion
Knowing how long to wait after an interview to follow up for a job offer is a critical skill in the job search. By waiting the right period for feedback, crafting a professional message for the hiring manager, and maintaining patience, you can leave a lasting good impression on the person.
Stay proactive by being busy in your job search, persistent, and confident in your abilities. The right opportunity will come your way. For comprehensive strategies, check out more on Resume Example.
