How to Follow Up After a Product Manager Interview

You put so much time into preparing for a product manager interview that it’s easy to overlook what happens next. More specifically, how to follow up once your interview is in the past. 

While there’s no written rule saying that you have to follow up with the interviewer, it can give your candidacy a push in the right direction. Think about it this way. If you’re “tied” with another candidate — which happens often when a company is hiring for a specific role — following up shows that you’re passionate about landing the job. And that passion may be just what you need to receive an offer.

So, with all this in mind, it’s time to answer the million-dollar question: how do you most effectively follow up after a product manager interview?

Before we address the actual follow up process, here are some additional questions to answer:

• Who did you interview with?
• How many employees does the company have?
• Do you have the interviewer’s email address?
• Are you sending a thank you email or a follow-up email after your initial thank you email?

Answering these questions will help you decide what to do next. For example, if you interviewed with Amazon or Facebook, you probably don’t have the interviewer’s email address.

Conversely, if you interviewed with a smaller company — such as a startup with only a handful of employees — it’s much easier to find the interviewer’s email address (if you don’t already have it). Use Google, Gmail, LinkedIn, and any other option available to you. It may take some time, but it shows the interviewer that you’re super interested. You can also “hack your way” through the process by sending emails to as many combinations of the person’s name as you can think of. For instance: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].

PM Interview Follow Up Strategy

There’s no exact science to following up after a PM interview, but there are some basic tips that can help you effectively do so. 

1. Don’t Wait Too Long

Generally, it’s best to follow up within 24 hours of your interview. Either do so the evening of your interview or the following morning. 

If you wait too long, you risk the company hiring someone else in the interim. Furthermore, there’s a greater chance of the note slipping through the cracks, as your name is no longer fresh in the interviewer’s mind. 

After the interview, upon reaching your vehicle or home, take basic notes about your discussion. You can rely on these when crafting an email follow up.  And of course, if you’re interviewing remotely — which is most common in today’s world —  don’t waste any time crafting a follow up email. It’s best to do it right away while all the information from the interview is fresh in your mind.

Personalize your email by mentioning something specific from the interview. Even better, if you can inject something fun in a meaningful manner, do it. 

For instance, if you spent some time talking about sports, find a way to weave this into your email. 

Remember, you (probably) aren’t the only person who interviewed for the job. A personalized email improves the likelihood of the interviewer remembering who you are and what you discussed. 

2. It’s Okay to Send Another Email

Imagine a situation in which you send a follow up email within 24 hours but don’t hear back from the interviewer. As disappointing as it may be, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been passed over for the job. After all, they probably have a lot of interviews to get through.

It’s okay to wait for another seven to 10 days to pass and then send another email. Say something like this:

Hi [first name], I know you’re evaluating other candidates but I wanted to let you know I am still very excited about the role. Can you share where you are in the hiring process and a timeline for making a decision?

Think about yourself as a salesperson. You have something to sell — yourself — and you want to put the ball in the interviewer’s court. 

3. Give Them an Incentive to Move Faster

There’s only so much you can do to push the process forward, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. 

Give the interviewer an incentive to move faster. Here’s an example:

Hi [first name], I am emailing you to check in on the timeline for making a hiring decision. I have another job offer and would appreciate it if you could update me by [date]. I am still very interested in employment at [company name]. Thank you for your understanding.

Don’t jump into this right away. Instead, take this approach if you don’t hear back from the interviewer or anyone else at the hiring company. 

Is Following Up Really a Big Deal?

Some people put more value in it than others, but when done correctly, you won’t harm your chance of receiving an offer.

The benefits of following up include:

• Showing that you’re still interested after the interview 
• Showing that you’re excited about working for the company
• Proving that you’re willing to go the extra mile 

In today’s world — especially with remote hiring becoming so common — it’s imperative to take steps that help you stand out from other candidates. A fast and effective follow up email will help you do just that.

Following Up? Don’t Make These Mistakes

Above, we discussed what you should do when following up after a product manager interview. Now, it’s time to focus on common mistakes that can sink your chance of landing the job:

1. Don’t be a Pest

It’s okay to follow up within 24 hours and then again within three to five days. However, you need to leave it at that. Don’t be “that person” who sends one or more emails every day. 

When you pester the interviewer, there’s a greater chance that they’ll move your application to the trash pile. And that holds true even if you’re qualified for the position.

2. Avoid the Phone

Unless you have a good reason for it, it’s best to follow up via email. It’s faster, less intrusive, and less stressful for both you and the interviewer. 

A phone call could catch the person off guard, leading them to become upset and/or aggravated. Avoid this by relying on email when following up.

3. Don’t be Overly Aggressive

There’s a fine line between selling yourself as the best candidate and becoming aggressive or pushy. 

Don’t say things such as:

• Tell me now if I got the job or I am moving on.
• You’re disrespecting my time by not answering my emails. 
• I am going to call you on the phone if you don’t answer this email.

You can guarantee that an aggressive email like this will be deleted (along with your chance of receiving a job offer).

4. Don’t Write a Long Email

Get to the point quickly and make it concise. A follow up email is meant to thank the interviewer for their time, show your interest, and let them know you’re looking forward to chatting again. One hundred words or less is a good target. If you make the interviewer work too hard, they’re more likely to trash your note before digesting the entire thing.

In addition to our preparation material — such as a question/answer center and group practice — you can also sign up for individual coaching. This is a great time to discuss the interview preparation process, along with what you should do in its aftermath. It’s a good idea to have a general follow up plan in place so you can hit the ground running after your interview.