The best ways to follow up after a job interview and stick in the mind of an employer

By Fiona Stubbs, Careers Manager

It's two weeks after an interview that you thought went well. Nothing has happened, and you're dying to know how things have gone. This can be a tricky situation, and most folks don’t want to risk making the wrong move and appear pushy, desperate or rude.

In my mind, it's worth following up and staying top of their mind. It might not be for the job you interviewed for and could be another job with them in the future. So, how might you do this?

Ask what the next steps are at the interview

When preparing your questions for the end of any interview, include a question on ‘what the next steps are’. Then, you know exactly if, when and how you can follow up.

For example, if they said you'll hear in seven days, and it's Day 10, then you can get in touch with a simple email saying: ‘Hi, (recruiter name), I attended an interview on (date), and you mentioned that you would be finalising your decision this week. I am interested in the role and wondered if there was an update. If I can provide any additional information to help with the decision making, then please let me know. Best wishes, (your name).'

Sometimes, the reason for not hearing back is because something else has competed for the recruiter’s time to make a final decision that has nothing to do with your performance. Decisions like these can also take a long time with internal company practices.

Send a thank you email

It might seem old school, but sending a thank you email shows organisation, keenness and professionalism. Send it immediately after the interview. If there's something you forgot to mention at the interview or you have a great idea that demonstrates your skills, then a follow up note is an opportunity to show these ideas.

Connect on LinkedIn

Make sure that your profile is complete and a positive reflection of you as a candidate. Then, connect with the interviewer through a personalised message. Additionally, it can be helpful to attach a report you have read or introduce them to one of your contacts, following up from things that were discussed in the interview.

It's a fine balance between being seen as over eager and saying nothing, but hopefully, these tips will help. If you don’t get the job, then reflect on what you did well and what you might improve and do more of that in your next search.

Good luck!

Other resources

Careers Masterclasses: Learn about the different types of interviews, how to handle difficult interview questions and more.

Our website: Explore a range of resources about interviews and how best to prepare.

Prospects: Browse further interview tips and resources on Prospects.