Nailing Your Follow-Up Email
So, you’ve aced the interview. What’s next? Sending a follow-up email is a must. It’s your chance to say thanks, remind them why you’re awesome, and keep yourself fresh in their minds. Let’s break down why this email matters and what makes it pop.
Why Bother with a Follow-Up Email?
A follow-up email isn’t just a polite gesture; it’s a smart move. Here’s why:
Saying Thanks: It’s a simple way to show you appreciate the chance and the interviewer’s time. Good manners go a long way.
Highlighting Your Skills: This is your shot to remind them why you’re the best fit. Mention your key strengths and how you can help the company.
Staying Memorable: With multiple candidates, you want to stay on their radar. A follow-up email keeps you in their thoughts.
Building a Connection: It’s a chance to build a rapport with the interviewer. Show you’re professional and genuinely interested.
What Makes a Follow-Up Email Work?
To make your email effective, include these key parts:
Subject Line: Keep it short and to the point. Make sure it grabs attention and shows the email’s purpose. Need ideas? Check out our subject line tips.
Greeting and Thanks: Start with a polite greeting. Thank them for the interview and mention the job title. For more on starting strong, see our email opening tips.
Reiterate Your Interest: Remind them why you’re a great fit. Highlight key points from the interview that match the job’s needs. Show your enthusiasm. For more on this, visit our qualifications tips.
Strong Finish: End with a professional sign-off. Thank them again and mention you’re looking forward to the next steps. Need help with this? Check out our sign-off tips.
Proofread: Before sending, check for any mistakes. Make sure everything’s clear and error-free. Double-check attachments if you have any. For proofreading tips, see our editing guide.
By following these steps, you’ll craft a follow-up email that stands out. Remember, a great follow-up can be the key to landing your dream job.
Subject Line Strategies
When you’re sending a follow-up email after an interview, the subject line is your first shot at grabbing attention. It needs to be short, relevant, and interesting to make sure your email gets opened. Here are some catchy subject line ideas:
Catchy Subject Line Ideas
- Thanks for the interview!
- Following up on our chat – [Your Name]
- Still excited about the [Job Title] role
- Reflecting on our meeting at [Company Name]
- Ready for the next steps with [Company Name]
- Thanks for your time and consideration
- Thoughts on our interview and what’s next
These subject lines are designed to catch the eye of the hiring manager or interviewer and clearly show why you’re emailing. Make sure to personalize them with details like the job title or company name to make your email stand out.
Dos and Don’ts for Subject Lines
While it’s key to make your subject lines engaging, there are some things you should and shouldn’t do:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Keep it short and sweet | Be vague or generic |
| Personalize when you can | Add unnecessary details |
| Make it relevant to the interview | Use overly casual language |
| Use action words to create urgency | Include typos or mistakes |
| Stay professional and polite | Overdo exclamation marks or emojis |
By sticking to these dos and avoiding the don’ts, you’ll make sure your subject line shows your professionalism and grabs attention. Remember, the subject line is your first impression in a follow-up email, so make it count.
Next, we’ll talk about what to include in the body of your follow-up email, like the introduction, showing appreciation, reinforcing your interest, closing strong, and polishing your email. Stay tuned for tips and tricks to write a killer follow-up email after an interview. Need a sample? Check out our follow-up email after interview sample or follow-up email after interview example. If you haven’t heard back, read my article on follow-up email after interview no response. And if you’re heading to a second interview, our follow-up email after second interview article has got you covered.
Introduction and Appreciation
Writing a follow-up email after an interview can make or break your chances. This section will help you kick things off right and show your gratitude for the interview.
Starting Off Right
First things first, address the person who interviewed you by name. A simple “Dear [Interviewer’s Name],” or “Hello [Interviewer’s Name],” works wonders. It shows you remember who they are and that you’re paying attention.
Skip the generic stuff like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” If you absolutely can’t remember their name, use their job title as a last resort, but try to avoid it.
Saying Thanks
Next up, say thanks. Let them know you appreciate the chance to interview. This shows you’re professional and genuinely interested in the job. You can say things like:
- “Thanks for taking the time to talk with me about the [position title].”
- “I really appreciate the opportunity to interview for the [position title].”
- “I’m grateful for the chance to discuss my qualifications for the [position title] with you.”
By thanking them, you show you value their time and effort. Be real and specific about what you liked in the interview.
With your follow-up email off to a good start and your gratitude clear, it’s time to move on to the next part: Reinforcing Your Interest.
Keep the Spark Alive
After an interview, it’s super important to show you’re still pumped about the job and remind the hiring manager why you’re the best pick. This part of your follow-up email is your chance to shine and prove you’re the perfect fit.
Show Off Your Skills
In this bit, give a quick recap of your top skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate. Tie your qualifications to what the job needs, showing you’re the right person for the role.
Here’s a sample:
“During our chat, we talked about my project management experience, where I led teams to deliver complex projects on time and within budget. I want to highlight my strong organizational and leadership skills, which I believe will be key in driving successful projects at [Company Name].”
By reminding them of your skills, you keep yourself fresh in their mind and show why you’re a standout candidate.
Pump Up the Excitement
Showing you’re excited about the job is a must in your follow-up email. Let the hiring manager know you’re genuinely thrilled about the chance to join their team and help the company succeed.
Try this example:
“I wanted to share my genuine excitement about the possibility of joining [Company Name]. The innovative work and collaborative team environment are exactly what I’m looking for. I’m eager to bring my skills and passion to help drive the company’s growth and make a real impact.”
By showing your enthusiasm, you convey your genuine interest in the role and leave a positive impression on the hiring manager. This can boost their confidence in your candidacy.
Remember to use language and tone that reflect your personality and the vibe you got during the interview. A genuine and enthusiastic tone can help you stand out and leave a lasting impression.
Next up, we’ll talk about how to wrap up your follow-up email on a high note, leaving a positive and professional final impression.
Closing Strong
Wrapping up your follow-up email after an interview is your chance to leave a lasting impression. You want to show your professionalism and excitement for the job. Here’s how to nail it with a solid sign-off and a clear mention of next steps.
Professional Sign-Offs
Picking the right sign-off is key to keeping things professional. Here are some go-to options:
| Sign-Off | When to Use It |
|---|---|
| Sincerely, | Classic and formal, good for any setting. |
| Best regards, | Polite and friendly, shows professionalism. |
| Thank you, | Warm and appreciative, great for expressing gratitude. |
| Kind regards, | Professional yet friendly, very versatile. |
| Yours truly, | Formal, often used in business letters. |
Choose a sign-off that fits your style and the job you’re aiming for. Need more ideas? Check out our follow-up email after interview sample.
Next Steps and Encouragement
At the end of your email, suggest what should happen next. This shows you’re eager and proactive. Mention that you look forward to hearing back about their decision or any next steps, like a second interview or more documents they need.
Also, a few words of encouragement and thanks can go a long way. Show your gratitude for the interview and reiterate your enthusiasm for the job. Let them know you’re excited about the chance to join their team and contribute to their success.
By closing your follow-up email with a professional sign-off and mentioning next steps, you can leave a memorable impression and show your interest in the job. Don’t forget to proofread before you hit send. For more tips on perfecting your email, check out our follow-up email after interview example.
Polishing Your Email
So, you’ve written your follow-up email after that big interview. Nice! But before you hit send, let’s make sure it’s polished and error-free. A well-crafted email can leave a lasting impression. Here are some tips to help you refine your message:
Proofreading and Editing Tips
Read it aloud: Seriously, read your email out loud. You’ll catch awkward phrasing and grammar goofs that you might miss otherwise.
Check for spelling and grammar: Use spell-check tools, but don’t rely on them completely. Look out for common mistakes like wrong verb tenses or subject-verb mismatches.
Keep it clear and concise: Make sure your email is straightforward and easy to understand. Skip the fancy jargon that might confuse the recipient.
Maintain a professional tone: Double-check that your email sounds professional. Avoid slang, abbreviations, or overly casual language.
Personalize your email: Address the recipient by name and tailor the content to the specific interview and position. This shows you’re genuinely interested.
Check formatting and structure: Make sure your email looks good and is easy to read. Use paragraph breaks and bullet points if needed.
Final Checks Before Hitting Send
Before you send your follow-up email, do these final checks:
Double-check the recipient’s email address: Make sure you’ve got the right email address to avoid any mix-ups.
Attach necessary documents: If you promised to send additional documents or samples, make sure they’re attached and properly labeled.
Review the subject line: Ensure the subject line accurately reflects the content and purpose of your email. For tips, check out my article on engaging subject line examples.
Test links and attachments: Click on any links and open attachments to confirm they work correctly.
Send a test email to yourself: Send a test email to yourself and review it on different devices (like your computer and smartphone) to check for formatting issues.
By taking the time to proofread, edit, and perform these final checks, you can ensure your follow-up email is polished, error-free, and ready to impress.
Remember, a well-polished email is just one part of a successful follow-up strategy. For more tips and examples, check out my article on follow-up email after interview sample. If you haven’t heard back yet, my article on follow-up email after interview no response might be helpful. Good luck!
