It feels like the art of communication has gotten worse since the pandemic—and especially in the job market. But job seekers often underestimate their role in that process. Understandable. When you’re applying to multiple jobs, perhaps even interviewing with multiple people, it can be easy to forget to follow up on those opportunities. As a staffing agency, we've seen tons of these follow-up emails but they're also more rare and impactful than you'd guess. So, where do you start? Structure in how you follow up with people. Let's dive into takeaways from some of the best follow-ups we've gotten to help you stay top-of-mind with anyone making big decisions (like deciding whom to hire!).
The Break Down of a Follow-Up Email
Some people are bold enough to call—and if that’s you, go for it! But whether you call or write, the script will cover the same content:
Step 1: Greet Your Audience
Begin with a nice, non-cliché greeting that would apply to your reader. It can be as general as “I hope your weekend was lovely” (when emailing on a Monday) or as specific as “I hope your day is off to a great start and you found some time for yourself this morning” (when emailing someone who mentioned they loved morning activities like yoga, running, or meditating in your last exchange). With a personalized greeting, you’re meeting them with a genuine connection.
Step 2: Get to the Point
Go straight to your question, but ask it empathetically— acknowledge how busy the person must be and allow them to respond to you at their leisure. It’s perfectly fine to ask for feedback on your resume, portfolio, or performance. It’s also fine to ask about any details on the interview process and the status of your candidacy. An Artisan favorite example is, "Do you have any reservations about my candidacy that I could address?" Why do we love this question? It's productive when there's a good chance the company doesn't have an update on the hiring process yet. It shows the hiring manager that you don't shy away from addressing conflict head-on. And, of course, it allows you to address any issues the company may have.
Step 3: Provide Reminders
If you are following up after an initial application, remind the audience about how you’d fit perfectly at their company. If you are following up after an interview, you can remind them of poignant parts of your conversation that piqued your interest (making you a strong culture fit). Or you can let them know you are enthusiastically still interested in the position and very excited about the company. If you were turned down for the job, you can remind them you’re interested in future opportunities.
Step 4: End on a Positive Note
End with a simple salutation that applies to the situation. Whether you “look forward to hearing from them or speaking with them soon” or “will stay in touch for future opportunities”, let them know you’re hopeful and positive, regardless of the situation.
Follow-Up Scripts
Here are some examples of how and when you should follow up with people, including potential scripts you may use. Be sure to make your personality shine and create follow-ups in your voice:
The Day After An Interview
Audience: Anyone and everyone who took the time to talk with you.
Hi _____,
I hope your day is off to a great start. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me ______. I enjoyed our discussion and found _____ to be very interesting. It reminded me about ______ and how, my last position as _______ challenged/helped/taught me to _____. I think an experience like that has set me up for success at a company like yours.* Please feel free to reach out with any further questions about my experience and background. I look forward to hearing your decision and hope you have a great rest of your week.
All the best,
[NAME]
*Tailor these two sentences to recall your past interview with the person.
One Week After
Audience: To your recruiter or HR representative who is handling the hiring.
Hi _____,
I hope you are doing well and that you are finding some time for yourself during this hectic hiring season. First, I wanted to thank you for all the work you do and how you’ve helped the interview process be as smooth as possible. Second, I wanted to ask if there have been any updates on the interview process for the ______ position? Please let me know whenever you have a moment.
Thank you again,
[NAME]
Two Weeks After
Audience: To your recruiter or HR representative who is handling the hiring.
Hi _____,
It’s been a little while since we last talked and I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to follow up about the ______ position that I interviewed for back on ______. I’m still interested in the position and would like to know if there have been any updates in the hiring process? I know you must be so busy, so please respond at your leisure.
Thank you,
[NAME]
TLDR; As you can see, all scripts follow the same basic principle of greet, ask, remind, and sign off positively. Follow-ups should be short and to the point while acknowledging anything your reader might be going through. And, when all else fails, have a trusted friend read over your follow-ups before you send them!
If you’re looking to work with a recruiter to find your next gig, you’re in luck. Artisan is here to help talented creatives find and hopefully land a job that they love. If this sounds like you, register with us, check out our opportunities, and…
