Closing the Deal: Why Your Follow Up Is Falling Short

You did the interview, but silence followed. Most guys skip the thank you email, but that extra five minutes is often the difference between a job and a ghosting

By Your Bro · Sat Jun 22 2019 · Self Improvement

You can nail every technical question and look like a million bucks in a suit, but if you go silent the moment you walk out of the office, you are leaving your future to chance.

The Decline of Professional Literacy

Are you looking for a new job but can't seem to land one? One of the reasons you may not be getting that second interview could be your follow up. The follow up correspondence used to be pretty standard, but recently I've noticed a decline in this activity. People just aren't taking the extra time to send a thank you. They think the work ends when they step out of the elevator. It doesn't. In a labor market that is increasingly volatile, the small stuff separates the pros from the amateurs.

I recently talked to a hiring manager at a mid-sized tech firm who told me he interviewed ten candidates for a senior role. Only one sent a follow-up email. That guy wasn't even the most qualified on paper, but he got the second round. Why? Because the manager figured if the other nine couldn't be bothered to send a two-sentence email when they wanted something, they definitely wouldn't be reliable when they were actually on the clock. It’s a low bar. Jump over it.

The Twenty-Four Hour Rule

Generally speaking, this email should be sent with twenty four hours of your prior interview. If the interview occurred on a Friday, you can send it Monday morning. This shows the employer that you are seriously interested in the position, have strong business etiquette, and appreciate the time they gave you to meet. Speed signals competence. It shows you are organized enough to manage your inbox and your priorities.

Research from recruitment data firms suggests that nearly 70% of hiring managers say receiving a thank-you note influences their decision, yet massive chunks of the applicant pool simply skip it. In a world where AI may take your job if you stay stagnant, maintaining a human connection is one of the few advantages you have left. Robots don't send thoughtful notes. Men do.

What to Actually Say

Don't overthink the prose. You are not writing a novel. You are confirming a connection. Not sure what to write? Consider this example as a pretty standard format for a thank you follow up email:

“Hey NAME, Thank you for making time to meet with me to discuss the ____ role. Our discussion furthered my interest in the opportunity, and based on what you’re looking for in the ideal candidate, I could absolutely see myself succeeding in the role. Please let me know if you need anything else from me to finalize the decision. I look forward to hearing back from you. Best, NAME”

This covers the essentials. You thanked them for their time. You mentioned a specific role. You reaffirmed your confidence. If you want to go the extra mile, mention one specific thing you discussed. If the hiring manager mentioned they were struggling with a specific logistical problem, mention how you've handled that before. It shows you weren't just waiting for your turn to speak. I've talked before about how your appearance matters in all life situations, and this email is just the digital version of a clean shave and a firm handshake.

Handling the Wait

The period after the follow-up is where most guys lose their cool. They start checking their phone every six minutes. They get desperate. Desperation has a scent, and it’s not a good one. If you haven't heard back in a week, a polite second follow-up is fine. After that, move on. You should always have multiple irons in the fire anyway. Putting all your emotional weight on one job description is a recipe for a breakdown.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person changes jobs about 12 times in their career. That is a lot of interviews. If you don't master the follow-up now, you're going to spend the next thirty years wondering why the "other guy" always gets the offer. Usually, the other guy just realized that the interview doesn't end until the contract is signed.

The Power of Etiquette

There is a segment of the population that thinks etiquette is for the weak. They think "the work should speak for itself." That sounds great in a movie, but in reality, people hire people they actually like. People like being appreciated. Sending a thank you is a small act of leadership. It shows you have the awareness to recognize someone else's time is valuable. This trait is rare. If you start showing it now, you'll find that you begin to become the leader you were created to be much faster than the guy who just grunts and waits for a paycheck.

Do this, and you will improve your chances on landing that sweet gig you want.

—Your Bro