Ah, the joy of job hunting! You’ve done your best to impress your potential legal employers during the interview, but what’s next? Just sit back and wait for the phone to ring? No way, that’s too easy! In the cut-throat world of legal hiring, you need to take it up a notch and show your persistence through follow-up after the interview. It’s not enough to just show your interest in the position, you need to prove it by sending a barrage of emails and phone calls. But fear not, because with our tips, you’ll learn how to effectively annoy, ahem, follow-up with your potential employers and stand out from the other equally persistent candidates.
Why Follow-Up Matters (As If You Didn’t Know Already)
Let’s face it, the legal job market is cutthroat. Every law school graduate is vying for the same positions, and it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd. So, why not give yourself a little extra edge with a follow-up after your interview?
Show Them You Care (Or At Least Pretend To)
Following up with a potential employer after an interview shows that you’re interested and passionate about the position. It’s like saying, “Hey, I really want this job, and I’m willing to go the extra mile to show you that I’m the best candidate.”
Because Research Says So (And We All Love Research)
According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 22% of employers are less likely to hire a candidate who doesn’t send a follow-up after the interview (click here). That’s right, almost a quarter of hiring managers are judging you based on your follow-up game.
But wait, there’s more! Another study by topresume (click here) found that as nearly 68% of hiring managers consider it when making their decision. It advises job seekers to send a customized message to each interviewer, demonstrate their interest in the job opportunity, and highlight their qualifications. They appreciate receiving a follow-up after an interview. So, not only does follow-up increase your chances of getting hired, but it also makes you look like a thoughtful and conscientious candidate.
Attention to Detail (And Other Job Search Buzzwords)
In addition to showing enthusiasm and interest, following up also demonstrates attention to detail. It shows that you’re organized, professional, and committed to the job search process.
So, there you have it, folks. The legal job market is tough, and following up after an interview can give you an extra advantage. Plus, research says it’s a good idea, so why not give it a shot?
How to Follow Up After a Legal Job Interview
You rocked that legal job interview and now it’s time to seal the deal with a killer follow-up. Here are some tips to make sure you stay on the interviewer’s radar:
Keep the Connection Alive: The Art of Follow-Up
Tip #1: Send a Thank-You Note or Email
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “Wow, what a revolutionary idea, who would’ve thought of that?” But hear me out, sending a personalized thank-you note or email after the interview can actually make you stand out from the crowd. Make sure to highlight specific points from the interview and mention why you’re a good fit for the job. Bonus points if you use a nice pen to write the note.
Tip #2: Connect on LinkedIn
In case you’ve been living under a rock, LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professional networking. So, if you haven’t already, make sure to connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn. But don’t just stop there, engage with their posts, share relevant articles, and show them how passionate you are about the legal field. Who knows, they might just offer you the job out of sheer admiration for your social media skills.
Tip #3: Send a Follow-Up Email or Call
If you haven’t heard back from the interviewer after a certain period of time, it’s totally okay to follow up with an email or call. Just make sure not to sound too desperate or pushy, you don’t want to come across as a stalker. A simple “Hi, just wanted to check in and see if there were any updates on the job position” should suffice. If they still don’t respond, maybe it’s time to move on and accept that they’re just not that into you.
Importance of Personalization and Authenticity
It’s not enough to just follow these tips, you also need to be authentic and genuine in your follow-up communication. Don’t copy-paste the same message to every interviewer, that’s just lazy. Take the time to craft a personalized message that shows you’ve done your research on the company and that you truly care about the job.
Authenticity is also crucial in follow-up communication. Avoid using generic or robotic language, and instead, be yourself. Show your personality, but don’t go overboard with the sarcasm or jokes (unless you’re sure they’ll be well-received).
Examples of Effective Follow-up Communication
Because why learn from your own mistakes when you can learn from others’ successes?
Here are some examples of effective follow-up communication that have led to job offers in the past:
- A personalized and genuine thank-you email that referenced specific topics discussed during the interview.
- A follow-up call after a week of silence that expressed continued interest in the position and inquired about the status of the application.
- A LinkedIn message that thanked the interviewer for their time and expressed excitement about the possibility of working together in the future.
Follow-Up Follies: The Most Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them!
Oh, the art of following up, where one wrong move could potentially ruin your chances of getting that dream job. Let’s talk about the common mistakes that candidates make in follow-up communication and how to avoid them (because we all know how easy it is to mess up a simple email).
Are You Making These Mistakes?
- Being Too Pushy: It’s important to show your interest in the job, but don’t go overboard with constant calls, emails, and texts. You don’t want to come across as desperate or annoying. Find a balance between persistence and respect, and remember, patience is a virtue (even if it’s not as fun as being impulsive).
- Not Following Up at All: On the other hand, failing to follow up at all can also hurt your chances of landing the job. The employer might forget about you among the sea of other applicants. Don’t let your application sink to the bottom of the pile! Take the time to craft a professional email or note, or else you might regret it later. Trust us, it’s worth the effort (even if it’s not as fun as binging your favorite show on Netflix).
Advice for Avoiding These Mistakes
So, how do you strike the right balance? Well, for starters, try to be mindful of the employer’s time and preferences (even though you have no idea what those are). And make sure to stay professional in all communication, even when you’re dying to know if you got the job. Oh, and don’t forget to express gratitude for their time and consideration, because thanking someone for ignoring you is just common courtesy.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of this blog post, and you’re now armed with some pretty awesome tips on how to follow up after a legal job interview.
So, let’s summarize what we’ve learned:
- Following up is crucial in the legal job search process.
- Crafting an effective follow-up strategy can include sending a thank-you note or email, connecting on LinkedIn, or sending a follow-up email or call after a certain period of time.
- Personalization and authenticity are key in all follow-up communication.
- Common mistakes to avoid include being too pushy or not following up at all.
- Striking a balance between persistence and respect, staying professional, and expressing gratitude can help you stand out in the competitive legal job market.
Now, it’s time to put these tips into action and land your dream job in the legal field! Don’t be shy, follow up with potential employers and make a lasting impression. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
YLCC would like to thank Pearl Narang for her contribution in this article.
