How to Follow Up After an Interview or Career Fair to Impress a Recruiter
You've done all the hard work of landing an interview (and going through with it!) or attending a career fair and making some new connections. Now it's time to follow up and make a good impression on the recruiter(s) you spoke to. But what's the best way to do that after the conversation(s) is over? Standing out from the competition requires that you reach out in a timely manner and show the recruiter(s) that you are serious about the position. To help you along, here are some tips on how to successfully follow up after an interview or career fair.
Send a thank you note within 24 hours after the interview or event
Sending a personalized thank you email after the interview or event is an important step in the job hunting process. It shows that you appreciate the recruiter's time and are a thoughtful candidate with a genuine interest in the role and company. It's a powerful way to improve your chances of landing a job, yet only 1 in 20 candidates are doing it. By gathering their business card or asking them for their email during the interview or event, you can easily follow up with a personalized email or thank you note via LinkedIn. Additionally, if you've met with multiple recruiters or hiring managers, it is best to email each individually (and not sending a group email).
Writing a well-thought-out thank you note after an interview or career fair allows you to stand out from other applicants, helps build relationships with potential employers, and demonstrates your respect for their time. See here for tips on how to get started on your note!
Personalize your thank you email to the conversation
When crafting the email, include details about your conversation, the role you're interested in, and why. Also, mention any skills or qualifications discussed during the interview or at the career fair that apply to the role or company of interest. It goes a long way in demonstrating your detail-to-attention, listening skills, and understanding of the role.
Express gratitude to the hiring manager
Don't just thank the recruiter for their time. Instead, let them know that you're genuinely excited about the opportunity and express gratitude for being considered for the role. This will help to demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in the company if hired and conveys your appreciation of their hard work and the value they bring to the organization. Today, 68%of hiring managers say ungrateful job seekers are jeopardizing their candidacy. So make sure to take the initiative and follow up as quickly as possible to maximize your chances of success!
Follow up on any outstanding items from the conversation
At the end of the interview or event, recruiters often ask job seekers to follow up on certain items. Whether submitting additional documents or answering further questions, make sure to do this as soon as possible. It's also important to seek feedback to see if anything they'd like to know about you was left uncovered is critical. Gathering this information towards the end of an event or interview will enable you to provide any missing details in your follow-up that can support your candidacy. By following up on the items discussed, you'll show your commitment to the job and seriousness about being considered.
Proofread everything you write
Before hitting send, proofread your follow-up email for typos or grammar mistakes. Submitting a flawless thank you note will demonstrate your attention to detail and professionalism. It will also allow recruiters to focus on the content of your message rather than being distracted by errors.
Connect with the recruiters and team members you met on LinkedIn
When coming out of a career fair or interview, it's acceptable to connect with the recruiters and other team members you met with on LinkedIn. It makes it easier for them to stay in touch and keep track of your progress as a job candidate. It's also an effective way to show that you're engaged with the company by liking, sharing, and commenting on their posts. This can help you maintain a connection with the company and keeps your name on their radar.
Offer alternative ways of keeping in touch
Giving a recruiter or hiring manager an alternative way to get in touch can help to strengthen your relationship. Offer them a phone number, email address, or messaging app that you're comfortable using, and make sure it's available for the recruiter to contact you. Providing alternative channels will give the recruiter more options when they need to reach out with questions or updates on their decision-making process.
Attending a career fair or a job interview is just the start of the recruitment journey, and following up afterward can make all the difference. So be sure to take the time to do it right and maximize your chances of success!
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