The Art of Following Up After an Interview
Interview follow up often distinguishes exceptional candidates in the competitive manufacturing and engineering job market. Proper follow-up demonstrates professionalism, reinforces your interest, and keeps you top-of-mind with hiring managers.
Timing Your Thank-You Message
Always send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Manufacturing and engineering hiring managers appreciate promptness and attention to detail. Personalize your message by referencing specific conversation points from the interview, especially technical discussions that showcase your expertise and genuine interest in the position.
Content That Makes an Impact
Beyond expressing gratitude, use your interview follow up to strengthen your candidacy. First, briefly reiterate your engineering qualifications and how they align with the role’s requirements. Then, address any questions you answered incompletely during the interview or highlight relevant experience you forgot to mention. Finally, express continued enthusiasm for the opportunity to join their engineering team.
Strategic Check-ins
If you haven’t received feedback after the expected timeframe, a polite check-in demonstrates your continued interest without appearing desperate. When following up, reference something specific about the company—perhaps a recent announcement or industry development—to show you’re actively engaged with their organization beyond just seeking employment.
Following Up After Rejection
Even if you don’t receive an offer, professional follow-up can open future doors. Thank the interviewer for their consideration, express continued interest in the company, and request constructive feedback. Many engineering professionals have secured positions from companies that initially rejected them but remembered their gracious response.
The manufacturing and engineering industries value communication skills alongside technical expertise. Mastering the art of following up demonstrates these soft skills while keeping you connected to valuable professional contacts. Need more guidance on interview follow up strategies? Read this article from Harvard Business Review which has four follow up email examples.
Looking for help with the actual interview? Check out our Comprehensive Interview Guide.