5 Things To Remember While Following Up On Interviews

It can be quite a test of your patience to wait for the result of that much looked forward to interview you just appeared for. While you intuitively have an idea about how the interview went, based on the response of your interviewer, waiting can still be tough. Because after all, you don’t know how it went, until you really know.

Following up on interviews can be a little tricky, since you want to know about the results, at the same time, you don’t want to pester anyone, or come across as desperate. Here are five things to remember while following up on your interviews.

1. Shoot a thank you mail after your interview – Apart from this gesture being common courtesy (yet uncommon), it is a great way for you to start your follow up process. Send in an email appreciating the chance given to you for interviewing for the role of your interest, and also for communicating and stressing on how you are looking forward to hearing back soon. This brings your application to the recruiter’s notice, while earning you brownie points for your etiquette.
 

2. Time span before you enquire – Usually, the recruiter or the HR person will mention a duration post which you can expect to hear from them. If they don’t, you can politely ask them when you can expect to hear from them. If they say a week, give it eight days before you drop in an email, or call them to enquire about the results. Don’t give in to the temptation of doing it before the expected time gap – a lot of candidates do that, which only succeeds in annoying the recruiters.
 

3. Remember you aren’t the only one – In flow with the previous point, it is integral for you to be patient because you aren’t the only person who was interviewed for the role. Incessant emails or phone calls succeed in only one thing – antagonizing your recruiter. Which is the last thing you want. Right?
 

4. Keeping in touch with other candidates – It would probably be some respite for you to keep in touch with other candidates, so you can follow up on the status of the results with them. Once again, no one likes being bothered, so reach out only when you know you have waited for sufficient time.


5. Be “sweetly persistent” – Like JD Conway, senior talent acquisition partner at a leading recruitment organization – Bamboo HR says, “it’s all about being sweetly persistent”. Understand that multiple processes that need to be taken care of before they get back to you. At the same time, when you’ve spent enough time waiting – make sure you check in with them – as courteously as you can.


Waiting can be painful, but patience is one of the greatest virtues you can teach yourself. Ever had to wait on an interview result? Tell us what worked for you!