The power of a follow-up: A guide to post-interview communication

IT company Springworks received over 3,000 resumes within 48 hours of posting jobs on its company website, reported The Economic Times, citing a social media message from the CEO. While Air India received 700 pilot applications in May last year, another report by Times of India shared.?

Between economic uncertainty, tough job market, and increasing competition to get hired, what strategies can jobseekers use to stand out to employers?

Follow up after the job interview, says career strategy coach Sridevi Ravichandran. “This can increase the candidate's chances of receiving an offer by reaffirming their interest in the position and keeping them on the recruiter's radar,” she adds.?

So, what stops candidates from reaching out to the recruiters and what steps should they follow to ace the process? In this article, we seek advice and suggestions from experts and professionals.?

?? Subscribe to stay informed about the latest editions

Take the initiative

According to former Google recruiter Nolan Church, following up with a recruiter through a personalised mail or a message is a crucial step most applicants fall short on.?

Drawing parallel with Bollywood movies, Serri’s Krishna Pal considers this step akin to a seamless move that adds pizzaz to a dance number. “It’s about highlighting that yours is not just another resume in the pile — it’s your chance to leave a lasting impression,” he says.?

Apart from keeping your document from getting buried under a pile of marketing jargon and buzzwords, following up also showcases your passion towards the role and helps you build connections, he says.?

So what keeps jobseekers from hitting send??

It’s the fear of being perceived as “too” eager, says Pal. Emphasising the same point, Ravichandran says that some applicants have concerns about being perceived as rude, pushy, or creating a negative impression.?

Jobseekers, however, shouldn’t take it personally, she adds. “It is a proactive approach to understand the status of your interview process.”

In the nick of time

Flipping the perspective, Selah Consulting Solutions’s Kenneth Wheeler says that “...it falls in the interest of the recruiter to know that there’s a probable candidate that is vested in putting additional effort to demonstrate their fitment and seriousness for the role.”?

The length of the job interview process, however, reached an all-time high in 2023. According to a hiring trends report from HR firms The Josh Bersin Company and AMS, it takes companies an average of 44 days to fill an open position.?

In midst of such developments, how should candidates interpret ghosting or a lack of response from the recruiter??

Consider the possibility of positive intent from the recruiter and don’t allow the situation to disturb or discourage you, suggests Wheeler. There are multiple facets to the hiring process and the consecutive decision-making. “Therefore, you must stay in the reign of things that you can control,” he adds.?

So, how often should you follow-up? Wheeler suggests sending across not more than two follow-up emails in a span of two-weeks period.

If you receive no replies from a company or a recruiter after three attempts, Ravichandran’s advice is to move on with your job search.

Rules of the game

Highlighting the best practices to initiate the process, Wheeler suggests being mindful about the closing instructions from the recruiter. “If the recruiter has committed to revert in the next five days, then you probably want to hold on to your follow-up conversation till the fourth day.”?

Ravichandra also suggests waiting for at least five business days before reaching out. This can help showcase enthusiasm without appearing desperate, she adds.?

However, if you happen to have established a rapport with the recruiter during the interview, leverage it and drop an email within the next 24 to 48 hours, recommends Wheeler.?

For effective communication and to ease into the process, Ravichandran and Wheeler suggest the following dos and don’ts as guidelines to follow up:?

?? Pick email as the method of communication — it’s formal, the conversation is documented, and it pays respect for the recruiter’s time.?

??? Clearly mention your name and reason for sending the mail. Have any positive aspects of the interview or a specific incident that stood out? Mention it!

?? Keep the message crisp and concise and personalise it.?

?? Express gratitude for the opportunity.?

?? Reiterate what attracts you to the role and the company.

?? While inquiring about the status, be respectful and mindful of their time.

?? End the note by ask about the next steps in the interview process.?

?? If you perceive the application process to be lengthy, refrain from mentioning it directly. Also avoid mentioning other candidates or inquires about the hiring methods.?

?? Click here to read the previous edition on New Year's resolutions and goal-setting.?

?? The post-interview follow-up process enables a candidate to express continued interest in the opportunity and address any possible concerns, says career coach Nishant Sarawgi in this post.?

?? Express gratitude for the opportunity to interview for a role through an email within 24 hours of the meeting, Hireyy’s Talent Acquisition Trainee Pooja Bisht shares. Read her post for more tips.??

?? What role does effective communication play in job interviews? Solethreads’s HR Manager Muskan Chandel shares her take in this post.

• What makes a thank-you note special? A handwritten note, says executive coach Angelina Darrasaw. LinkedIn News Editor Brandi Fowler shares more details in this piece.??
• Importance of following up. In this piece, LinkedIn Editor Divya Pathak illustrates how following up can lead to career opportunities.

From strengths and weaknesses to salary expectations — certain questions remain constant across job interviews. In this course, career strategists Linda Raynier and Jenny Foss share interview preparation tips and suggest ways to tackle common questions.

This is the 24th edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices.?

Stay tuned by subscribing here and share your comments and thoughts using #GetHiredIndia.

By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn News Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Associate Community Manager: Neha Upalekar