Post-Interview Spiral? Read This. You walked out of the interview… And now your brain is like: 🌀 “Did I talk too much?” 🌀 “Should I follow up?” 🌀 “They said they’d get back to me — is it too soon?” 🌀 “What if they ghost me?” Let me stop you right there. Post-interview anxiety is real. But spiraling won’t get you the job. Strategy might. Here’s what to do instead: ✅ Within 24 hours: Send a real thank-you note. - Not the robotic “Thanks for your time.” - Mention something specific from your convo. - Remind them why you're excited. Leave them with a lasting impression. ✅ Haven’t heard back in 5–7 business days? Follow up. - Not to beg. Not to chase. - Just to check in like the thoughtful, professional human you are. Try something like: “Hi [Name], hope you’re doing well. I’ve been reflecting on our conversation and wanted to check in. I’m still excited about the opportunity and happy to share anything else the team might need. Any updates on next steps?” Clean. Calm. Confident. That’s the energy. ✅ And if they ghost you? That’s not failure. That’s data. It says more about them than it does about you. You didn’t miss out on a job. They missed out on someone who actually gave a damn. You did your part. Now protect your peace, prep for what’s next, and keep moving forward! The next company will be LUCKY to have someone like you on their team. — Follow me, Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW, for real-world career strategy, job search sanity, and bold advice that gets you hired—without the burnout.
When to Call After a Job Interview
Explore top LinkedIn content from expert professionals.
Summary
Knowing when to follow up after a job interview is essential to maintaining professionalism and demonstrating enthusiasm without appearing overly eager or impatient.
- Send a thank-you note: Always email a personalized thank-you message within 24 hours of your interview, highlighting specific points from the conversation and reiterating your interest in the role.
- Time your follow-up: If you haven’t received a response within the recruiter’s stated timeline, wait 2–5 business days before following up. If no timeline was given, reach out after one week.
- Know when to stop: Limit your follow-ups to a maximum of two attempts and keep your tone professional and concise. If there’s still no response, focus on other opportunities.
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To Follow Up or Not to Follow Up After an Interview? A common question I encounter is whether candidates should follow up after an interview or an initial outreach email. Some believe that if an employer is interested, they will surely get back in touch. Others are impatient and follow up the very next day for feedback. However, neither approach is ideal. Let me share a personal story. There was a time when my dream company never responded to my applications (I hadn’t mastered networking yet). Then, one day, I received an email from their recruiter, which seemed like a mass email sent to hundreds of candidates. I replied eagerly but heard nothing back. I decided to follow up, and to my surprise, I received a response. Although the role they initially emailed about was no longer available, they had another opportunity that might suit me. I interviewed and ended up working there for almost five years! If I hadn’t followed up, I might never have had that chance. Based on my experience, here are some tips for following up: 1. Email Response: If you reply to a job-related email and don’t hear back, wait 2-3 days before following up. 2. Post-Interview (Promised Timeline): If the recruiter said they’d get back to you in 2 days, follow up in 5 days. 3. Post-Interview (No Timeline): If the recruiter didn’t specify a timeline, follow up in a week. 4. Max Follow-Ups: It’s okay to follow up a maximum of two times. 5. Follow-Up Tone: Ensure your follow-up email is short and friendly. Instead of expressing frustration, try something like, “It was great speaking with you the other day. I wanted to follow up on the next steps.” What are your thoughts on following up? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below! If you need assistance with your job search process, I’d love to work with you. Feel free to reach out! #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #Hiring #Employment #CareerSuccess #JobHunting #CareerStrategy #PersonalBranding #CareerOpportunities #JobMarket #CareerGoals
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Periodically Checking in with Recruiters – An Aviation Recruiter’s Perspective 👩💻 This week I made a potential offer to someone who has checked in with me throughout this year. His check-ins were brief, respectful, and spaced well (every 4-6 weeks). He also kept an eye on our website job openings so he was aware if there was a position open instead of asking “Do you have any openings?” Recently I was asked how often candidates should check in with recruiters…here are some tips… If you’ve set your sights on a specific company, knowing how often to check in with recruiters can make all the difference. Here are some tips to strike a balance between showing interest and respecting their time: ✈ After the Initial Contact: Following your first conversation, send a "thank you" message within 24-48 hours. A brief note expressing gratitude and enthusiasm helps make a lasting impression. ✈ Every 4-6 Weeks: If there are no immediate openings or feedback, a good rule of thumb is to check in every 4-6 weeks. This keeps you on their radar while showing patience and professionalism. ✈ When New Jobs Open Up: If a position you’re excited about opens up, this is your cue to reconnect. Highlight your skills and make sure your resume is up to date! ✈ Post-Interview: After an interview, follow up with a thank you email. A polite follow-up is appropriate if you haven’t heard back in about two weeks. If you do not get any response; do not keep following up. Some recruiters don't reply...most likely those aren't "your people." Instead, send a message a month or so later updating them on any new qualifications you have expressing that you are still interested in working for their company. Staying in touch is important, but timing and professionalism matter. Finding the right rhythm for touching base will most likely keep you on their mind, but won't annoy them. #PilotJobs #AviationJobs #CareerTips #JobSearchAdvice #RecruiterTips #Networking #JobHunting #CareerSuccess #RecruitmentStrategy