FYou are almost there, probably already imagining your first day at your dream job. After completing your job application process successfully and showing your best in the job interviews you must be wondering “how do you know if you will be hired after an interview?”.
There is no sure way to know if you will be hired after an interview. Some signs such as if the interviewer asks you detailed questions about your qualifications, or if they discuss the next steps in the hiring process might be taken as strong indicators that may suggest that you are being strongly considered for the position. Don’t forget though over 200 hundred applications were received for that job offer, even if you are in the top 10 who get the interview, you still need to be the number 1 to get the role. That’s why even if your interview went amazing never assume you know how things are going to work out in the end. What you can do though is follow up after a job interview to remind yourself as well as your motivation to work in the company
Is it OK to follow up after the job interview?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to follow up after a job interview. In fact, it is often appreciated by recruiters, as it shows your continued interest in the position.
4 ways to follow up after an interview to stand out
1. Send a thank you note to the interviewer
It is always a good idea to send a thank-you note to the interviewer after a job interview. This shows your appreciation for their time, and also reinforces your interest in the position. Try to follow on the same email chain to quicken the reply time and to remind yourself better. The best timing for sending a follow-up email to a recruiter is within 24 hours after the interview.
How to write a follow-up email to a recruiter?
Start your email with a “thank you”. Make sure you mention the position you had the interview for immediately after thanking the recruiter for their time and showing your interest in the role and the company. In case you didn't have a chance in the interview, write why you would be a good fit for and a great asset to the company to set yourself apart from the other candidates. Don’t forget to encourage the recruiter to ask any further questions to clear any doubts in between interviews.
What is the next step after an interview?
After the interview, the next step is usually to wait for a response from the employer. If you are offered the job, the employer will usually contact you to discuss the details. If you are not offered the job, the employer may or may not contact you to explain why.
How long after a job interview should you hear back?
There is no definite answer to this question, as it varies from employer to employer. Some employers may contact you within a few days of the interview, while others may take weeks or even months to get back to you. If you haven't heard anything after a reasonable amount of time, it is usually acceptable to follow up with the employer to check on the status of the hiring decision.
2. Follow up with the employer to check on the status of the hiring decision
During your interview with the hiring manager did you ask during the interview what would be the next steps in your job application process? Were you told a specific date to receive feedback? Whether you don’t know the answers to these questions or the deadline are already passed, you should follow up also after the main interview before the hiring decision.
It’s important, as in the first email, to remind yourself and the position you are in the hiring process for. Mention why you think your interviews went well and your continued genuine interest in the company and the role. Ask them if you are expected to complete another stage and when is the expected timeline to fill this position to understand better your situation.
3. Update your recruiter with any changes or feedback
One thing people tend to forget about is following up. Yes, even though we expect others to keep us updated the whole process, once something changes from our end we often forget. That’s why any important change from your end is a great chance to follow up with your recruiter, and learn about the decision-making process or end it.
An appropriate time to update your recruiter is when you want to or already did accept another offer. If you want to end your recruitment process better do it without ghosting. They’ll be sad to miss a talent like you but no hearts will be broken, don’t think letting them know would be sad. On the contrary, if you want to consider the company for your future career steps, make sure you end your process on good terms.
Another perfect time to follow up with your recruiter is when you receive another offer but actually want to take their offer, if they ever make it. Mentioning the time sensitivity of your employment status to your recruiter with a note on that why you admire the company and would like to hear from them before making a decision might increase your chances to receive a quicker offer.
4. Stay positive and in touch with your network
Let’s say even though your application outshined the competition, your interview went quite well and you have followed up with your point of contact the whole time, you didn’t receive the offer. What’s next?
First of all, congratulations. You probably impressed everyone in that company and you learned great skills for your next adventures. Rejections are never easy to accept but knowing that you have done well, you should carry only the positive outcomes of this experience with you.
It’s time to write a final follow-up email to conclude your process. Again, thank your recruiter for their time and consideration and stay open for future opportunities. Ask your recruiter for their feedback about your hiring process. What made you come to the last stage and what would be the main reasons you have not received the offer? Watch your tone in your overall email for these questions not to sound rude but to show how you can use this constructive feedback to improve your future steps.
Last but not least, don’t forget to connect with your interviewers on LinkedIn. You never know what new career opportunities they will be posting soon.
