How to Follow Up After Your Interview

After a job interview, candidates often face a challenging period of uncertainty as they await feedback. Yishan Shen, Associate Director of Career Services at Harvard Law School, offers guidance on navigating this waiting game. She emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the interview experience, taking notes about the conversation, and sending a timely thank-you email to the interviewers. This follow-up should be concise, expressing gratitude and reiterating interest in the position without overwhelming the employer with additional information.

Shen also advises candidates to prepare their references for potential contact from the employer and to maintain professionalism in their voicemail greetings. If the wait extends beyond the anticipated timeframe, candidates should feel empowered to reach out to the employer to express continued interest and offer to answer any further questions. In the event of a rejection, she encourages candidates to seek feedback while remaining gracious and appreciative of the opportunity. Ultimately, Shen highlights the importance of not putting all hopes on a single job application, suggesting that candidates continue their job search proactively.

How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

31 Jan 2024

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You got your foot in the door. You nailed the interview. Now what?

Waiting to hear back from a company you’ve interviewed with is the worst. The anticipation, the worry, the dead silence — you can’t help but think that you did something wrong. Should you have sent a hand-written note to your interviewers? Why did you answer that question like that? Is it okay to follow up again? It can be challenging to get through this period of uncertainty, but there are things you can do to pass the time and even boost your chances of getting the job (especially if it’s a close race between you and another candidate). Ascend editor Kelsey Alpaio asked Yih-hsien Shen, the Associate Director and Director for JD Advising at the Harvard Law School, for her advice. She shares some tips on exactly what to do after a job interview, from sending an impactful thank you note to following up with a gentle nudge.

0:00 Introduction 1:23 Take some notes about the interview 1:54 Email a thank-you note the next day 2:31 Mention one specific highlight 2:51 Keep it short and simple 3:36 Clean out your voice-mail box 3:46 Have a professional voice-mail greeting 4:18 Give your references a heads-up 4:47 Reflect on the possibility of getting hired 5:02 401(k) match Hybrid work 5:31 Waiting two weeks is pretty standard 5:47 Show enthusiasm 5:50 Offer to answer any questions 6:18 It's OK to ask for feedback

Produced by Andy Robinson, Kelsey Alpaio Video by Andy Robinson and Elainy Mata Editing by Andy Robinson Animation and Design by Alex Belser and Karen Player

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