Contributed by Sarah Hollenbeck
Sarah honed her content marketing and PR skills at Ziff Davis, working on high profile lifestyle and tech websites. She graduated from Texas State University with a BS in Public Relations. In her current role at Siege Media, she loves the challenge of turning an idea into a piece of content that goes viral.
Sarah can often be found at a yoga studio or walking her dog around Austin. You can connect with Sarah on LinkedIn and follow Siege Media on Twitter.
Resume? Check! Follow–up questions? Check! Follow-up email?
Did you know that 57 percent of candidates don’t send a follow-up email to thank their recruiter after interviews, but 91 percent of employers prefer to receive them? Put your best foot forward by leaving a positive impression for your recruiter by sending a thank-you email after your interview.
Here are a few ways to send a successful follow-up email to your recruiter.
Why Write a Follow-Up Email?
Nailing an interview is an important step, but it’s not the only step. Many recruiters pay close attention to see which candidates write a thank-you email after an interview. This could ultimately be what sets you apart from the rest of the candidate pool. There are plenty of reasons to write a follow-up email, such as:
- It showcases that you know the importance of communication
- Leaves a lasting impression on your recruiter
- Shows how excited you are about the position you applied for
- Share some new information about yourself that you might’ve left out at the interview. This can Include your interest and goals.
- Allows you to show thanks and gratitude for their time
- It could be the determining factor if you will get another interview or move on in the next steps
How to Be Sure Your Email Is a Success?
Here are seven tips for success when sending a follow-up email.
- Send over your follow-up email within 24 hours of the interview.
- Start by choosing the right subject line. The subject line should be straightforward. For example, great speaking with you today is clear, concise, and conveys what this email is in regards to.
- Be sure to include in the email your name, the position you are applying for, and the date or time of the interview. This reminds the recruiter of your exact candidacy.
- Show respect and reiterate your gratitude for this opportunity and their time.
- Have a positive tone and attitude
- Add in anything you forgot to mention during the interview.
- Carefully proofread the email before sending it off. This is for your potential employer so you want to be sure to give it a final edit.
What Should You Include?
To continue the success of your follow-up email, there are essential components you will want to include. Open with a formal greeting that includes the hiring manager’s name. As mentioned earlier, express your gratitude for their time and interviewing you. Also, remind them of your name and when the interview was conducted. Let them know how your skills align with achieving the company’s goals. As you finish off the paragraph, include an email signature and thank them again.
Template for Post-Interview Follow-Up Email
Subject line: Great speaking with you today
Dear Ms. Margaret Anne,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me this afternoon about the social media coordinator position. It was great to learn how similar our backgrounds and experience were.
I especially enjoyed discussing the applications you all use to regulate your post on your social media accounts. I’ve always loved finding new ways to work smarter and not harder, and those applications align greatly with that.
I’m positive my skill set and experience from my previous position will be valuable in achieving the company’s goal of having a more inviting social media presence.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
River Long
Ri********@em***.com
636-636-6363
Conclusion
Don’t just stop at the interview, stand out and send off that follow-up email. For more templates to guide you step-by-step on how to form your email, check out the infographic below.
