Following Up After Behavioral Interviews: Etiquette and Best Practices

Learn the right etiquette and best practices for following up after a behavioral interview to enhance your job prospects.

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After a job interview, especially a behavioral one, it's common to play the waiting game. However, proactive follow-up practices can not only demonstrate your interest in the position but also reinforce your suitability for the role. Behavioral interviews, where employers assess your past behavior in professional situations to predict your future performance, present unique opportunities for post-interview follow-up that can set you apart from other candidates.

Understanding Behavioral Interviews

Before we delve into the follow-up process, it's crucial to understand what makes behavioral interviews distinctive. Behavioral interview questions often begin with, "Tell me about a time when..." and require you to share specific examples from your past work experiences. The interviewer is looking for evidence of particular competencies such as decision-making, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills.

Reflecting on these questions post-interview can provide you valuable insights into your performance and what the hiring team is looking for, which can be utilized in your follow-up correspondence.

The Importance of Follow-Up

Following up after an interview serves multiple purposes:

Expressing Gratitude: Thanking the interviewers for their time shows good manners.
Reiterating Interest: Your follow-up is an opportunity to reemphasize how interested you are in the job.
Highlighting Fit: You can use this interaction to align your skills and experiences with the job requirements.
Providing Clarifications: If there's something you wish you had said differently, a follow-up can offer the chance to clarify.
Keeping Communication Open: It keeps the lines of communication open and can help keep your name at the top of the list.

Etiquette for Following Up

It's important to follow a few etiquette rules when touching base after your behavioral interview:

Send a Thank-You Note: Aim to send this within 24 hours after your interview. Email is typically the fastest way, but a handwritten note can make a strong impression.
Be Professional and Concise: Keep your message respectful and to-the-point. Reiterate your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and remind them of your interest in the role.
Personalize Your Message: Reference a memorable part of the conversation or a key competency discussed during the interview.
Avoid Being Overly Persistent: Send one follow-up email, and if necessary, one additional email a week later. Do not bombard the interviewers with messages.

Crafting Your Follow-Up Message

When crafting your follow-up message, consider the following structure:

Greeting: Address the interviewer by name.
Thank You: Express thanks for the opportunity and their time.
Personal Touch: Mention a specific detail or conversation that stood out to you.
Value Proposition: Briefly restate how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for the role.
Conclusion: Close with a statement of appreciation and an indication of your eagerness to hear back.

Sample Follow-Up Email After a Behavioral Interview

Here is a simple template to guide your own post-behavioral interview follow-up:

Dear Interviewer's Name,

Thank you for taking the time to discuss the Position Name with me yesterday. Our conversation about Topic/Competency really resonated with me and reinforced my belief that my Skill/Experience aligns well with the goals of your team.

Following our conversation about A Past Experience You Discussed, it further occurred to me that my experience with Related Experience or Skill could also contribute to Specific Project or Challenge at the Company.

I am truly excited about the opportunity to bring my Skills/Qualities to Company Name and am looking forward to the possibility of contributing to your team. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require any additional information or clarification on my end.

Thank you again, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards, Your Name

Best Practices for Following Up

Timing: As mentioned, swift action is best, but do not rush to the point of compromising the quality of your message.
Customization: Tailor each follow-up message to reflect the unique experience of your interview with each interviewer.
Clarifying Points: If you think of something post-interview that you should have mentioned, briefly include this in your follow-up.
Waiting Period: If you haven't heard back after your initial follow-up, you can send a gentle reminder email after about a week to ten days. Be sure to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
Job Status Inquiry: If the hiring process drags on, you may send a polite email inquiring about the status of the job.

Following these steps will not only show that you have strong professional etiquette but also keep you in consideration for the position you desire. Keep in mind that each company's hiring process differs, so be prepared to adapt your follow-up strategy accordingly. Keep positive, remain patient, and continue to demonstrate your value as a prospective employee. Your follow-up efforts after a behavioral interview might just be the detail that tilts the scales in your favor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I follow up after a behavioral interview?

Yes, following up after a behavioral interview is highly recommended. It allows you to express gratitude, reiterate your interest in the position, and highlight your fit for the role.

2. What is the best way to follow up after a behavioral interview?

The best way to follow up after a behavioral interview is by sending a thank-you note within 24 hours, being professional and concise in your message, personalizing it to reference specific interview details, and avoiding being overly persistent.

3. How soon after a behavioral interview should I send a follow-up?

Ideally, you should send a follow-up within 24 hours after the behavioral interview. This shows promptness and interest in the position.

4. What should I include in my follow-up message?

Your follow-up message should include a greeting addressing the interviewer by name, a thank you for the opportunity, a personal touch referencing a specific conversation detail, a value proposition restating your fit for the role, and a closing statement of appreciation and eagerness to hear back.

5. How many follow-up messages should I send?

It is recommended to send one follow-up email after the initial thank you note. If necessary, you can send one additional email a week later. Avoid excessive follow-ups to maintain a professional demeanor.