
Job Seeking with ADHD: How to Follow Up After Interviews
Congratulations on succeeding to the end of the Interview! You’ve demonstrated your true potential to prospective employers. Now, the disturbing question is, how do you follow up after an interview? First things first, let’s discuss what a follow-up is and its importance.
What is a follow-up?
A follow-up is keeping in contact with an interviewer, recruiter or potential employer after a job interview. A follow-up can be in the form of a thank-you note, email or phone call. It reminds the interviewer why you stand out from other candidates and are still interested in being considered for the position.
Why is it important?
As an ADHD jobseeker, follow-up after an interview is essential for many reasons. Below are five reasons why it is essential to follow up after an interview.
- Show that you are easily accessible
- Shows your enthusiasm for the job
- Clarifies any questions that you didn’t have time to answer
- allows the employer to restate the timeline for their hiring.
Shows that you are easily accessible
Assuming you’re an employer, you’ve seen the strength of resumes and conducted several interviews. When it comes time to make the final decision, you want to notify the best candidate immediately- through a phone call or email. If the phone call or email goes unanswered, the employer may decide to move on to another candidate. For this reason, candidates who follow-up make themselves easily accessible and give the impression that they are organised and prepared to start work. It also reduces the time the employer has to wait to get in touch with you.
Shows your enthusiasm for the job
A follow-up after an ADHD job interview shows that you care about the job and are eager to begin work. It demonstrates that you are interested in being considered for the position and have stayed in contact with the employer. This can be a sign of dedication, especially for those with ADHD.
Reinforce your qualifications
Sometimes, employers may have a lot of applicants under consideration for a single job opening. Or, perhaps, an Interview was conducted long enough ago that it’s hard to recall the specifics of your qualifications. This is where follow-up comes in. Use this opportunity to remind the employer who you are and if they ask for additional information, such as references or transcripts, be sure to provide these promptly.
Clarify any questions that you didn’t have time to answer
You may need more time to discuss your qualifications in an ADHD job interview. You can use a follow-up as an opportunity to explain further any questions you require more time to answer fully during the initial meeting. This could be anything from addressing an employer’s questions about a point in your resume or providing more information on how you would handle certain situations.
Allows the employer to restate the timeline for their hiring
Last but not least, a follow-up can allow the employer to provide additional information, such as when they anticipate making a decision or when they will be conducting further interviews. This can help you keep track of your application process and give you an idea of how long it may take for the employer to decide.
The following are some tips that can help you effectively follow up with potential employers:
Send a thank you note or email within 24 hours after the interview
It’s not just about sending an email or note, but about doing it promptly. Sending a thank you within 24 hours of an interview shows that you are organized and on top of things. It also shows that you are genuinely interested in the job, as you took the time to write a thoughtful note shortly after the ADHD job interview.
Keep it concise
When writing a follow-up email, write a little. Keep it concise and focus on the key points that you want to convey. The employer likely has many candidates to review, so ensure you are getting your point across without taking up too much of their time.
Be courteous and respectful in communication
An arrogant attitude or appearing overly aggressive can be off-putting for an employer. Remember to stay courteous and respectful when communicating with the employer, as this will demonstrate that you have good manners and are a potential team player.
Check-in periodically
If it’s been a while since your interview, don’t hesitate to check in periodically. This doesn’t mean you should be annoying, but sending an email or calling to ask if the employer has any updates can help show that you are still interested in the job and eager to hear back from them.
Strategies for organising and keeping track of job applications and follow-ups
The following are some strategies that can help you keep track of job applications and follow-ups:
Keep a spreadsheet or list
Keeping a list or spreadsheet that includes the details of your job applications is helpful. This should include the company name, contact information, the date you applied for the position, dates of follow-ups, and any additional notes you may want to refer back to.
Set reminders for yourself
Utilise reminder systems such as Google Calendar or similar applications, which allow you to set up custom reminders for when it’s time to follow up with an employer. This can help ensure that you remember all applications you have made.
Track the progress of each application
Ensure you track the progress of each application. This can be done by keeping a running tab on when you applied and followed up with an employer. This will help ensure that every ADHD job interview is remembered and noticed.