The Essential Guide to Following Up on an Interview or Informational Interview

We’ve heard that some of you have trouble knowing what to do after an interview. You’ve knocked it out of the park, now what do you do? It’s essential to send a follow-up. Regardless of if you just finished an official job interview, an informational interview or casual chat about their career, make sure to tell your new contact that you appreciated their time.

Preferably, the follow-up would be an email. If you are unable to find your interviewer’s email address, then search for them on LinkedIn. Request to connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn and include the thank you note in ‘Notes’ section.

As for what to write, I always start with a sentence thanking the person for their time. Then I tell them that I appreciated the insights they gave me. Include something that you talked about here. Then, close with a future orientated statement. For example, ‘I look forward to connecting again soon.’ Or ‘I look forward to hopefully working at {company name}’. Close with ‘Thanks again’ as the salutation and your full name. Underneath my name I include the field I work in. You could also include your current company or the university you attend. This helps the person to orient you, as they likely talk to many people in a day.

If you are still a little confused, I’ve included a couple templates below you can reference when writing your own follow-up note.

Interview Follow-Up Template:

Hello {Insert Name},

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your time this {afternoon/morning/evening} for the interview. I appreciate the insights you gave me into working at {insert company name}.  I look forward to hopefully working with {insert company name} in the future!

Thanks again,

{Your name}

{University &/or Field You Work in}

Here’s a more detailed version, if you want to include a specific topic you talked about:

Hello {Insert Name},

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your time on {Day of the Week} for the interview. I appreciate the insights you gave me into working at {insert company name}, like {something you talked about}. I look forward to hopefully working at {insert company name} with your team!

Thanks again,

{Your name}

{University &/or Field You Work in}

Adding a personalization to the template, like what you and your new contact talked about, will help you make you all the more memorable.

If you asked your contact for someone they recommend you should talk to next, here’s a template you can use to reach out to the new contact.

Informational Interview/ Chat Template:

 Hello {Insert Name},

{Person’s Name} recommended that I connect with you, as I recently applied to work as the {insert position name} at {insert company name}. [Alternatively, you can say how you know the person that recommended the new contact]

Would you be willing to chat for a few minutes in the next couple weeks? I'm free {general time periods you are available in the next two weeks}. Let me know what times work best for you!

Best,

{Your name}

{University &/or Field You Work in}

Now that you have these templates, you are ready to send follow-up notes like a pro! Follow-ups are essential to show your appreciation to your new contact and keep your name top of mind.