Should you follow up after an interview?

[04diamond<3]

Well, I had my interview today. I really enjoyed meeting the VP, we had a couple of laughs before I was put into a conference room with a manager who wasn't too impressed with me...I struggled a bit because I haven't interviewed in a year and the position did freak me out a bit as it was the highest paying job I've ever been considered for. According to the job description, I am the perfect fit. I didn't express that too well because she asked me a few questions and that was it. My question, is it appropriate to send a follow up email expressing why I feel that I was the perfect candidate and that I was nervous and didn't express myself or represent myself accordingly and explain more about my qualifications etc? I literally had NO time to say anything other than to answer her questions...Opinions would be appreciated.

 

[sonnyjane]

I would send the standard "thank you for your time. I think I would make a great addition to your team." email, and if there are other qualifications that you weren't able to mention, possibly say, "I also wanted to mention that I have experience doing x,y,z which would be quite applicable in this position" but keep it brief. I would NOT say that you were nervous and didn't express yourself well. You should convey confidence. Don't let out than you buckled under the pressure or they might be able to envision you buckling again the the future.

 

[04diamond<3]

I would send the standard "thank you for your time. I think I would make a great addition to your team." email, and if there are other qualifications that you weren't able to mention, possibly say, "I also wanted to mention that I have experience doing x,y,z which would be quite applicable in this position" but keep it brief. I would NOT say that you were nervous and didn't express yourself well. You should convey confidence. Don't let out than you buckled under the pressure or they might be able to envision you buckling again the the future.

Thanks sonnyjane - that's a good idea. I agree about not saying I was too nervous, and I won't. Thank you for your advice!

OH - also, due to how fast it went, I didn't get the chance to give them my references and was thinking of attaching that to the email. Thoughts?

 

[HollyS]

Yes. Definitely. I've certainly done it.

The best way, in my experience, if you have already had email contact with the person who conducted your interview, is to send a "thank you for the interview" email. It gives you the opportunity to keep your name in front of them, without asking them to take any further time from their busy schedule to answer your phone call.

Keep it simple, to the point, and positive. Don't ask for a phone call, but let them know you look forward to hearing from them.

I can't tell you if it works. But I will tell you that I've never been interviewed and NOT gotten the job. I have an impeccable resume (I mean how it looks), a lot of practical experience, faultless references, and I always follow up. (Or, maybe, I give a fabulous interview. )

 

[04diamond<3]

Yes. Definitely. I've certainly done it.

The best way, in my experience, if you have already had email contact with the person who conducted your interview, is to send a "thank you for the interview" email. It gives you the opportunity to keep your name in front of them, without asking them to take any further time from their busy schedule to answer your phone call.

Keep it simple, to the point, and positive. Don't ask for a phone call, but let them know you look forward to hearing from them.

I can't tell you if it works. But I will tell you that I've never been interviewed and NOT gotten the job. I have an impeccable resume (I mean how it looks), a lot of practical experience, faultless references, and I always follow up. (Or, maybe, I give a fabulous interview. )

Wow, that's impressive! I have her phone number, no email. I've been working with a recruiter but he's on vacation for the next week. I was going to wait to hear from him what he thinks I should do. He has a very long standing relationship with the company. Should I be concerned that the VP likes me but the manager couldn't wait to get rid of me?

 

[VRBeauty]

Absolutely follow up, and the sooner the better! I like this approach:

http://careerconfidential.com/thank-you-letter-format/

Go ahead and include your references, you can simply state it as "for your convenience, I have attached my references."

I would send the standard "thank you for your time. I think I would make a great addition to your team." email, and if there are other qualifications that you weren't able to mention, possibly say, "I also wanted to mention that I have experience doing x,y,z which would be quite applicable in this position" but keep it brief. I would NOT say that you were nervous and didn't express yourself well. You should convey confidence. Don't let out than you buckled under the pressure or they might be able to envision you buckling again the the future.

I agree with not mentioning nervousness etc - you want them to recall the best aspects of the interview! However, have to admit that anything like "I think I would make a great addition to your team" sets me on edge, if only because it presumes a lot that you as a candidate don't know... like anything about the other members of the team. Just keep it to something along the lines of "I think my skills will meet your needs/I can benefit your organization/I have the skill set you're looking for."

Good luck!

 

[04diamond<3]

Absolutely follow up, and the sooner the better! I like this approach:

http://careerconfidential.com/thank-you-letter-format/

Go ahead and include your references, you can simply state it as "for your convenience, I have attached my references."

I would send the standard "thank you for your time. I think I would make a great addition to your team." email, and if there are other qualifications that you weren't able to mention, possibly say, "I also wanted to mention that I have experience doing x,y,z which would be quite applicable in this position" but keep it brief. I would NOT say that you were nervous and didn't express yourself well. You should convey confidence. Don't let out than you buckled under the pressure or they might be able to envision you buckling again the the future.

I agree with not mentioning nervousness etc - you want them to recall the best aspects of the interview! However, have to admit that anything like "I think I would make a great addition to your team" sets me on edge, if only because it presumes a lot that you as a candidate don't know... like anything about the other members of the team. Just keep it to something along the lines of "I think my skills will meet your needs/I can benefit your organization/I have the skill set you're looking for."

Good luck!

Thanks VR - that's really helpful. Don't you think though that at the bottom of the letter you attached would be pushing it? "I’ll call you on Friday to discuss setting up the next step"...?

 

[VRBeauty]

Should I be concerned that the VP likes me but the manager couldn't wait to get rid of me?

So among your other skills you're a mind reader?

Seriously, you have no idea what was going through her head. She could have been having a bad day, she might just not be a real outgoing person, she might put on a poker face for all interviews. Or maybe you were reading her correctly, but she'll still consider your credentials carefully. Whatever the situation, you have done your best and will follow up with a good thank you letter or email, and that's all you can do.

 

[VRBeauty]

Thanks VR - that's really helpful. Don't you think though that at the bottom of the letter you attached would be pushing it? "I’ll call you on Friday to discuss setting up the next step"...?

EEEK - yes, definitely pushing it! Definitely ignore and do not include that part!!!

Good catch!

 

[04diamond<3]

Should I be concerned that the VP likes me but the manager couldn't wait to get rid of me?

So among your other skills you're a mind reader?

Seriously, you have no idea what was going through her head. She could have been having a bad day, she might just not be a real outgoing person, she might put on a poker face for all interviews. Or maybe you were reading her correctly, but she'll still consider your credentials carefully. Whatever the situation, you have done your best and will follow up with a good thank you letter or email, and that's all you can do.

DH was saying something similar. I guess when she said that they weren't looking to hire now, that it's something for the summer...that threw me. I will send some sort of follow up for sure, without the last sentence in the letter thank you again for your help!

 

[sonnyjane]

Absolutely follow up, and the sooner the better! I like this approach:

http://careerconfidential.com/thank-you-letter-format/

Go ahead and include your references, you can simply state it as "for your convenience, I have attached my references."

I would send the standard "thank you for your time. I think I would make a great addition to your team." email, and if there are other qualifications that you weren't able to mention, possibly say, "I also wanted to mention that I have experience doing x,y,z which would be quite applicable in this position" but keep it brief. I would NOT say that you were nervous and didn't express yourself well. You should convey confidence. Don't let out than you buckled under the pressure or they might be able to envision you buckling again the the future.

I agree with not mentioning nervousness etc - you want them to recall the best aspects of the interview! However, have to admit that anything like "I think I would make a great addition to your team" sets me on edge, if only because it presumes a lot that you as a candidate don't know... like anything about the other members of the team. Just keep it to something along the lines of "I think my skills will meet your needs/I can benefit your organization/I have the skill set you're looking for."

Good luck!

That's fair. Most interviews I have been in have been panel-type interviews with at least 5 people in the room, so in those cases I did get a sense of the different personalities I'd be working with. I suppose in this situation she doesn't have that luxury.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I recently got two new jobs and sent an e-mail after each interview thanking them for their time and expressing my interest in their company. Worked for me

 

[HollyS]

Should I be concerned that the VP likes me but the manager couldn't wait to get rid of me?

So among your other skills you're a mind reader?

Seriously, you have no idea what was going through her head. She could have been having a bad day, she might just not be a real outgoing person, she might put on a poker face for all interviews. Or maybe you were reading her correctly, but she'll still consider your credentials carefully. Whatever the situation, you have done your best and will follow up with a good thank you letter or email, and that's all you can do.

This.

I am now employed at a company where I did not have (IMO) a good first interview. I really thought it was a waste of my time. Yet, they called me back, and made an offer. Sometimes you just can't tell.