How to Follow-Up After an Interview

June 16, 2022 by K12JobsNJ Editorial Team

There is a lot of waiting to do in the job search process. You apply for the job, you wait for an interview date, and then you wait for the news of if you got the job or not. This can be very anxiety-inducing, so here are some tips on how to follow up after an interview.

When to send the 1st follow-up email?

Choosing the perfect time to follow up after an interview is crucial. You do not want to come off as pushy or annoying, but you still want to seem interested in the job. Ideally, it would be best if you waited 1-2 business days after the date that they said they would get back to you. If they did not give you a date, one week after your interview would be perfect. You have to remember that they could still be deciding who to hire or be waiting for things to be finalized.

What to write in the follow-up email

  1. Begin by addressing the recipient by their first name.
  2. In your follow-up email, mention that you’re following up on the job you interviewed for.
  3. Be specific when you say the job; include the job title and the date you interviewed.
  4. Let them know how interested you are in the position.
  5. Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing about the next steps in your inquiry.
  6. Your last line should thank the reader and include your first and last name.
  7. Keep your message short, sweet, and to the point
  8. Before you send your follow-up email, spell check and proofread everything.
  9. Maintain a positive attitude.

Here is an example of a follow-up email:

Hi <NAME>,

I hope all is well.

I am following up to see if there are any updates regarding the <JOB TITLE> position I interviewed for on <DATE>.

The role seems to be a good match for my experience, and I am excited to hear more about the next steps! I’d appreciate any updates you can provide.

Thanks so much,<YOUR NAME>

When to send a Thank You email

If you choose to send a thank you email, send it one day after your interview. In this email, thank them for taking the time to meet with you and mention something that you enjoyed during the interview (i.e., learning about the school district, meeting the staff, etc.). Then include anything you may have forgotten to mention in the interview and that you are looking forward to hearing back from them. If you do not send a thank you email, you can thank them for meeting with you at the beginning of your follow-up email. Just add one sentence thanking them at the beginning.

To find more K-12 jobs in New Jersey, create a free account on K12JobsNJ. Visit the career advice section for tips on improving your resume, cover letter, or interview skills.