How to follow up with a recruiter after a job interview
You attended a job interview and are waiting for a response, but time is running out and you don’t have any news from the recruiter. Here are some useful tips on how to follow up with a recruiter after an interview in a professional and efficient way.
If you still have doubts about the importance of this strategy, I invite you to discover all the advantages of following up with recruiters first.
What are the benefits of following up with a recruiter?
Following up with a recruiter after a job interview is a practice that offers many benefits.
First, it demonstrates your commitment to the position and your motivation to join the company.
Second, it can help keep your application in the recruiter’s mind, especially if they have held multiple interviews for the same position.
In addition, it can give you the opportunity to ask additional questions, clarify certain points or provide additional information that you may not have been able to mention during the first meeting.
Finally, it can set you apart from other applicants by showing your professionalism, commitment, and follow-through, which can work in your favor when making the final hiring decision.
In short, re-contacting the recruiter is an opportunity for you to reinforce your application and increase your chances of getting the job.
Now, let’s move on to the tips.
1 – Be patient
First, make sure that the recruiter’s stated response time has elapsed before contacting them again.
If the recruiter has told you that you will receive a response within a few days or a week, you should wait for this time before contacting them again.
If you reach out before then and show your impatience, you may upset the interviewer and reduce your probability of getting the job.
If you have applied for a job without a specific response time, you can wait between one and two weeks before re-approaching the recruiter.
This gives the person enough time to review all the applications and make a decision.
If, on the other hand, you have forgotten an important piece of information that could make a difference, you can send an e-mail to share this information and renew your interest in the position.
Now I suggest we move on to the next tip which is to send your email.
2 – Prepare and send your follow-up email
Before sending an email, take the time to write it down and have someone else read it over.
Doing this will allow you to avoid spelling mistakes but above all, you will receive the opinion of another person to check if the tone of your email is positive and if the content is clear.
If in doubt, prepare the email and wait until the next day before sending it. Doing so will prevent you from making mistakes.
The tone of your email will be polite and confident and you will ask the recruiter if he or she has made a decision.
Doing this will allow you to receive a response and focus on other opportunities in case of a negative answer.
In the e-mail, you can mention your name, the position you applied for, and the day you submitted your application. You can also explain that you are still interested in the position and are looking forward to having an update.
It is important not to sound too pushy in the email. Avoid asking for details about why the response was delayed. You can simply ask if there are any updates on your application and the decision made.
Now, I suggest we move on to the next tip which is to stay patient but at the same time be active.
3 – Wait for a response but stay active in your job search
Wait a few days after sending the e-mail to give the recruiter enough time to give you an answer.
On the other hand, if they don’t reply, it’s best not to contact them again.
If you do, you devalue your application and this can have a negative effect on your self-esteem and consequently on your self-confidence.
Furthermore, if you do not hear from them again, it means that the answer is negative or that the company is not very serious.
To avoid wasting time and valuable energy, it is preferable to put the company in a mental drawer and forget about it.
This way, you can concentrate on improving your resume and cover letter, but also on looking for other companies and positions more in line with your skills.
If you want, you can have your resume written or your cover letter prepared.
Now, I suggest we move on to the next tip which is to call the recruiter.
4 – Call the recruiter
If you are still not hearing back after a few days, you can call the recruiter directly to find out more about the status of your application.
This option has the advantage of getting a response more quickly and immediately freeing up energy to move on to other opportunities.
In addition, this approach speeds up the recruitment process, especially when you have a good chance of getting the job.
On the other hand, keep a respectful and friendly attitude throughout the conversation. Avoid calling the recruiter back if you are upset, tired, or under stress. Doing so will prevent you from sounding pushy or aggressive.
In the call, you will simply ask if there are any updates on your application and decision.
Stay polite and professional throughout your overall interaction with the recruiter, even if you are frustrated by the delay or lack of response.
If the recruiter is busy, they may ask you to call back later. Be sure to make a note of the date and time you need to call back.
If you are not selected for the position, don’t take it personally and continue to look for other job opportunities.
Two examples of follow-ups
Here are two examples of follow-ups that you can use and adapt to your needs in order to contact recruiters more easily and quickly.
Example of a reminder by e-mail
Subject: Application for the position of project manager
Mrs/Mr [Name of the person],
I am sending you this message to find out the status of my application for the position of project manager in your company. I would like to know if you have made any progress in your recruitment process and if my profile corresponds to your expectations.
I am aware that the recruitment process may take some time, but I am still very interested in this opportunity and I would like to know if I can still expect an answer from you.
If you need more information from me, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available for an interview or for any exchange of additional information.
I thank you in advance for your feedback and remain at your disposal for any questions.
Sincerely,
[First name] [Last name]
Example of a telephone reminder
Mrs./Mr. [Name of person],
My name is [First name] [Last name] and I’m calling to find out the status of my application for the sales position I applied for with your company. I would like to know if you have made any progress in your recruitment process and if my profile has caught your attention.
I am aware that the recruitment process can take time, but I am still very interested in this opportunity and I would like to know if I can still expect an answer from you.
I thank you in advance for your feedback and remain at your disposal for any questions.
Sincerely,
[First name] [Last name]
Conclusion on how to follow up with a recruiter
Reaching out to a recruiter may seem intimidating, but it is an important step in showing your interest in the position and increasing your probability of getting a positive response.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can follow up with the recruiter in a professional and effective manner.
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Read this article in other languages
Français : Relancer un recruteur après un entretien de recrutement : les étapes clés
Italiano: Contattare un recruiter dopo un colloquio di lavoro: i passaggi chiave