Career Services Events
Contact
University of Tampa
Office of Career Services
Location: SFB 117
Email: hireut@ut.edu
Phone: (813) 253-6236
ut.edu/career
The Pillars of Spartan Ready® equip students with life, career and digital skills that drive success in academics, the workplace and beyond.
Things to Remember:
- Following up is a BIG deal! It can seal the deal, or hurt your chances, if you don’t do it.
- In a competitive job market, thank-you notes give you an edge. Few candidates send thank-you notes or follow up correspondence, so those who do will stand out!
- In your follow-up email, reiterate your interest and reference 1-2 points from the conversation (something that intrigued you or a challenge they mentioned) and explain how you could succeed in that role.
- If you haven’t heard back by the date given, send a polite email or make a phone call to reiterate your interest and let them know you’re looking forward to hearing from them.
- Connect on LinkedIn with everyone who interviewed you to continue building your professional network.
Post-Interview 'Thank You' Note
Hello (Interviewer Name),
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss my candidacy with ABC Corporation. I want to reiterate my interest and enthusiasm for joining the Finance Department at ABC.
After our conversation, I can clearly see how the analytical skills I developed at XYZ and as Financial Vice President of the SGA at UTampa would allow me to contribute effectively to your team. I appreciated learning more about the accounting career track and was impressed by how ABC has built its unique niche in the field.
I also enjoyed our discussion about financial planning and our shared interest in XYZ. I look forward to the next step in the recruiting process and will follow up, as we discussed, in two weeks. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (enter phone number) or (enter professional email address).
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sam Spartan, B.S.
(813) 777-7777 | samspartan@gmail.com
When You Receive a Job Offer Before Hearing Back from Your First Choice:
Hello (Interviewer Name),
Thank you for meeting with me on (insert date) to discuss my candidacy with ABC Corporation and to learn more about ABC products. Since our interview, another company has made me an offer, and I must notify them shortly of my decision. However, because of ABC’s excellent reputation in the X industry and your location in Florida, I am still very interested in the X position with your organization.
If you would like to arrange another interview or if you need additional information from me to move forward with my application, please let me know. If possible, I would like to know the status of my candidacy by (insert date.) I can be reached at (813) 777-7777 or samspartan@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Sam Spartan, B.S.
Declining a Job Offer:
Hello (Interviewer Name),
I hope this message finds you well. (Interviewer’s Name) and I had a wonderful lunch discussing the company and the position. Thank you very much for thinking of me and offering me the Business Development Administrator position.
After careful consideration, I have decided to respectfully decline this offer, as I have determined that the role is not the best fit for my career goals at this time. Please know that this was a difficult decision, as I was very impressed with LCG Advisors and everyone I met throughout the process.
I truly appreciate the time, effort, and kindness you and your team have shown me, and I hope we can stay connected professionally. It was a pleasure speaking with you, and I wish you and LCG Advisors continued success.
Sincerely,
Sam Spartan
After an Informational Interview:
Hello (Interviewer Name),
I hope this message finds you well. Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me and share insights about your work in (industry/field.) Our conversation was incredibly helpful as I continue to explore career paths in (your major or area of interest.)
I appreciate your advice and the resources you mentioned, and I am excited to apply what I learned as I move forward. If possible, I would love to stay in touch and would be grateful for any additional recommendations you might have.
Thank you again for your generosity and support.
Sincerely,
Sam Spartan
Following Up After Applying for a Position
Submitting your application is only the first step - following up is just as important as applying!
- Reach out directly. After applying online, contact the person who posted the position to let them know you applied for (position title) on (date) and to reiterate your interest. If no contact is listed, research the company website, search on LinkedIn, or identify someone in the department you applied to.
- Email, phone or LinkedIn. These are all good avenues to reach out to an employer once you’ve applied.
- Timeline. Typically, follow-up about one week after submitting your application (unless the posting lists a specific closing date). A timely follow-up helps put your name on the employer’s radar!
The "Rule of Three" When Following Up
If you’ve followed up three times and still haven’t heard back, it’s time to move on.
- First follow‑up: Send a thank‑you email or letter to everyone you interviewed with.
- Second follow‑up: About a week or two later, send another email requesting a status update and reminding them you’re happy to provide any additional information.
- Final follow‑up: Leave a polite voicemail message (if appropriate), as some employers may respond better to a call.
After these three attempts, focus your energy on other opportunities while keeping the door open for future communication.