How To Follow Up After A Phone Interview

After countless hours looking for the right job, you have finally landed a phone interview. Let us start by congratulating you on this vital step that only a few can accomplish.

Given the current pandemic, many companies are conducting interviews over the phone or through video-call. You can use this to your advantage! Interviewing over the phone will remove the added pressure of having to meet in person. Face-to-face interviews can be awkward and nerve-racking, having to figure out what to wear, what shoes go best with which outfit, or if the color of your blazer is too loud.

Now that the added pressure is off, you can focus on the most critical aspect, the interview itself. It is of the utmost importance to be well researched and adequately prepared for the interview.

Here is everything you will need to know about what to do before, during, and after a phone interview.

How to Prepare for the Interview

Take the time to read the description written in the job posting. Determine if the company or corporation has everything you are looking for and whether you would be the right person for the job.

Review the skills and qualifications that the company is looking for in a candidate. Use this information to make a list of your matching qualifications and create talking points for the interview. Include short anecdotes during your talking points that highlight your skills and keep the hiring manager interested.

Let the company know that you have taken the time to learn everything you can about them. Looking for information about the company or corporation will not only help you be prepared to answer their questions; it will also leave an impression with the person that is interviewing you.

Lastly, come up with a list of questions to ask the hiring manager. In the long run, this will help you determine if this is the right place for you.

Before you begin your call, pick a quiet place, away from any distractions. The last thing you would want is to miss something important and have to ask the interviewer to repeat themselves.

Watch your body language during the interview. Believe it or not, the way you compose yourself comes through your voice. While talking to the recruiter, try smiling. Studies show that smiling elevates your mood and your tone. Therefore, you will sound more excited when discussing the prospect of being employed by the company.

Lastly, have your pen and notepad ready! It is of the utmost importance to gather as much information as possible during your interview; this will help you, later on, should you need to write a follow-up email.

Following-Up Your Interview with an Email

One of the best ways to leave an impression with any prospective employer is to send them a follow-up email. This can be very beneficial to you as an applicant.

There are two different types of follow-up emails you will need to consider when moving forward in the hiring process, a thank you email and a checking in email.

When writing a follow-up email, remember to sound enthusiastic. Here is what you will need to include:

1. Start with a salutation

2. Thank them for their time.

3. Mention the position you interviewed for.

4. Add any specific talking points you had during your meeting.

5. Let them know how great it was talking to them and how excited you are about the prospect of being part of the team.

6. Write about your interest, skills, and qualifications.

7. If you forgot to mention something in the interview, include it.

8. Offer them the chance to follow-up with any queries they might have.

9. End your email with a closing statement.

How To Create a Thank You Follow Up Email

One of the best ways to leave an impression with any prospective employer is to send them a follow-up email.

Consider following your interview up with a thank you email. This email should be sent within the first 12-24 hours of your meeting.

Taking the time to thank the person, who has just interviewed you, will reaffirm your interest in the company and show how important it is to land the job.

Let them know that you are excited about the prospect of working with them. Show them how you would be an asset to their company by quickly highlighting your strengths and qualifications.

In this email, you will want to briefly include specific topics you and your interviewer touched during the meeting. Mentioning these points will help keep the conversation between you fresh on their mind.

This would also be an excellent time to include anything you might have forgotten to mention during the interview. Remember to keep it brief and straightforward. A little goes a long way. You do not want to oversell yourself and risk sounding desperate.

Thank You Follow-Up Sample

How To Create a Follow-Up Email After Some Time Has Passed

Having to wait to hear back from a prospective employer can be excruciating. Keep in mind that this process takes time and that hiring managers may need to evaluate many other applicants.

Suppose you have not heard back from an employer for more than a week; that does not mean that you are out of the running. Consider giving them a gentle nudge to remind them of who you are and what you discussed during your interview.

Sending them a follow-up email is an excellent way to let the company know that you are still interested in working for them. Unlike in the “Thank You” email, you do not have to mention your strengths, qualifications, and key points. Try to keep the message as short as possible.

Checking In Follow-Up Sample

Final Thoughts

After an interview, most hiring managers will give you a time frame about when you should expect to hear back from them. Keep in mind that they will be evaluating other candidates as well, and might take longer than what they have initially told you.

Sending them a follow-up email can be very beneficial to you and help you stand out amongst other applicants.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.