Having an experienced recruiter on your side can make a significant difference in succeeding … [+]
The white-collar job market is currently challenging. Having an experienced recruiter on your side can make a significant difference in succeeding throughout the interview and hiring process.
To stand out in a crowded, competitive job market, you need to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship with top recruiters that specialize in your sector. They have the right company connections to get you in the door, and the knowledge of how to navigate your way through the long, difficult interview process.
Following up with your recruiter after a job interview is crucial. You should provide a debriefing of how the meeting went. Add some color and context about the hiring managers, interviewers and others involved with the process. Be honest about the good and bad points of the conversations.
A good recruiter will gather all of this data and share it with the hiring manager, so that there can be a conversation about whether or not you will continue in the process, and what may be needed to improve upon for the next round.
When following up with a recruiter, it is essential to reinforce your enthusiasm for the position, request feedback and provide additional information, if needed.
You can use the following email template to ensure that you come off as professional, concise and leave the door open for further communication with the recruiter.
Dear [Recruiter’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up regarding my interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [Date of Interview]. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with [Interviewer’s Name(s)] and learning more about the role and the company.
The conversation reinforced my enthusiasm for the position and my confidence that my skills and experience align well with what [Company Name] is looking for. In particular, I was excited to discuss [mention a specific topic or project from the interview].
I’m writing to inquire if you’ve received any feedback from the interview team. I’m very interested in the opportunity and would appreciate any insights you can share about how the interview went and what the next steps might be in the process.
Additionally, if there’s any further information I can provide to support my application, please let me know. I’m happy to elaborate on any points we discussed or provide additional examples of my work.
Thank you again for your time and assistance throughout this process. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
It’s important to maintain an honest, continual transparent dialogue with your search professionals. Since they are busy and mostly paid by commissions, respect the recruiter’s time by promptly sending messages and keeping the recruiter updated on your job search status. Even if you don’t have news, checking in periodically shows your continued interest and helps you stay on their radar.
Try to strike the right balance between showing interest and not appearing overly pushy. Behind the scenes, the interviewer shares the synopses of the meeting with relevant parties, and it can take a while to cycle through everyone involved.
In the interim, send a “thank-you” email shortly after your interview. Express your appreciation for the opportunity, reiterate your interest in the position and offer some highlights of the conversation. Also, reinforce the reasons why you feel that you’re the best applicant for the opportunity.
If there is code silence from your recruiter, give it some time. If a week or so goes by and you still haven’t heard anything, it’s well within your rights to more aggressively follow up to demand what is going on. If you are fortunate enough to have some contacts within the organization, reach out to them and ask if they can delve into what the status is and if you are still under strong consideration.
Although you may feel slighted by not hearing back right away, keep calm. Don’t let the emotions get the better of you by sending nasty, aggressive emails, texts or phone messages.
