Why write to the employer after the interview

About follow-up letters
Followup is a letter from a candidate to an employer after an interview. Not to be confused with a cover letter.

For the realities of the harsh Russian recruiting, the idea of ​​correspondence with Eichar after a personal meeting sounds wild. In Russia, it is not customary to contact the employer after an interview. It is customary to lie low and wait for a verdict.

The tradition of follow-ups came from the West, where the candidate-employer relationship is more humane and warm. Here it’s normal to thank each other for the time spent, share impressions, experiences and give recommendations.

Unfortunately, the employment process in Russia often has a condescending and dismissive color, and interviews are more like an interrogation or exam.

If we want to change something in the Russian HR-culture, follow-up letters are a great start.

Why write follow-up letters
Followup has several goals. Perhaps the first and main thing is to remind yourself. Such a letter will significantly increase the chance of getting a job invitation. Believe me, no one else will send follow-up.

The second reason, after all, is to send a letter after the interview - to tell us what you forgot about, ask a question. A working interview is a lot of stress, and even careful preparation does not guarantee a “clean mind”.

For example, at the interview you did not mention successful relevant experience, forgot to ask an important question or want to remind about the agreements. Having scrolled the dialogue with the employer in my head on the way back home, we realized that they could present themselves better. Everything can be fixed by writing a follow-up letter.

The next thing you need to do in such a letter is to thank. Yes, Russia is not used to saying “thank you” for everything, but it’s respectful and sets a positive tone for relations from the very beginning.

Another “trick” of follow-up is the increased responsibility of the employer. How often recruiters promise to call back and don’t call, thereby shifting responsibility for the outcome of the meeting to the applicant.

The practice of follow-up forces the employer to take on the solution of the issue, and there will be no silence.

3 follow-up email errors
Flattery

Do not praise the employer and do not scatter thanks - this is not appropriate. One "thank you for the meeting" is enough.

Also, do not write about how madly you want to work in this company and are so inspired that you are ready to start immediately. Be honest and adequately assess the situation.

A pity

Your problems are your problems. In followup, you don’t have to cry about 3 loans, a mortgage and a “last chance”. Stay professional, do not exert moral pressure on the employer.

Overconfidence

Despite the advice of eminent career coaches, excessive confidence in success can do much harm. For example, in our 10-year experience in the HR sphere, the candidate’s phrase “I’m waiting for your offer” or the question “How much are you willing to pay me?” Do not add points.

Here, at the interview, everyone understands that you came to work, and it is better to discuss the size of the salary after the decision made in favor of the candidate.

When follow-up letters do not work
Followup is not always appropriate. For example, if we are talking about internships, vacancies for line staff and other work, which a huge number of candidates apply for, a letter after the interview will not be useful. In this case, HR simply does not remember everyone.

Follow-up correspondence works great for serious jobs.