Peak Performers by Tiffany Uman

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3 ways to follow-up without sounding desperate

June 9, 2025

Thank you for joining my Peak Performers newsletter! Every Monday, we share practical tips and scripts to help you land the roles you want, thrive with confidence at work and grow faster.

The magic is in the follow-up.
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Whether you’re applying for new roles, networking, or interviewing, your follow-up is where opportunities are won or lost. It’s how you stay memorable, stand out, and reinforce your value.

But how do you draw the line between being proactive vs. pushy?

You want to follow up with intention, not desperation.
And you definitely want to stay top of mind while deepening the relationship.

This past week, I coached one of our clients through a series of follow-up messages. We role-played together to nail down the right messages to reinforce, and they were contacted back from the recruiter eager to learn more about their profile for a target role.

The good news is that it doesn't need to be complicated.
You just need to know how to adapt your follow-up strategies to be most effective.

So let's dive in!

1. Following up after your your job applications

Most people apply and wait. That doesn't work, especially in today's market where you need to be proactive and stay top of mind. So here’s 5 simple ways to follow up with intention:

→ 1. Time it right: Wait 5-7 business days after submitting your application, or after the application deadline if one’s listed. This balances patience and persistence.

Example: “Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name]. I hope your week is going well! I wanted to follow up on my application for the [target role], submitted on [date]. I’m very excited about the opportunity to contribute to [the company’s mission/key project], and I’d love to discuss how my background in [X] could be a strong match. Would you be able to share next steps in the process to best support my candidacy?”

→ 2. Personalize your message: Generic follow-ups get ignored. Tailor your note to highlight your alignment with the company’s values, mission, or recent news.

Example: “Your recent expansion into [new market] really resonated with me, especially because I led a similar effort at [Company], which grew revenue by 28%.”

→ 3. Add value with a recent achievement: Show that you're still growing, even after submitting your application. You can mention a new milestone to strengthen your candidacy.

Example: “Since applying to this role, I’ve completed a [course/project] that deepened my skills in [skill area], which I believe would bring immediate value to your team.”

→ 4. Engage beyond emails: While waiting for a response, comment on company LinkedIn posts or share relevant industry content tagging the company or key stakeholders working there.

Example: “Loved this insight on [topic] as I'm really passionate about [related area]. I’d be thrilled to contribute to work like this at [Company]!”

​Our clients are always pleasantly surprised when their engagement on posts from company leaders are reciprocated. Case in point - I loved this recent post example from Hootsuite CEO, Irina Novoselsky, who shared that she spends 30 minutes daily on LinkedIn and personally responds to comments she gets, even as CEO of a 1,500+ person company.

→ 5. Be proactive, not passive: Instead of just checking in, propose something. This signals your initiative and problem-solving.

Example: “After reading more about your focus on [X], I had a few ideas around [Y] that I’d love to explore further if helpful. Happy to send over a quick write-up or connect for a call.”

Pro tip: We also encourage our clients to send short Loom videos with follow-ups to stand out. They have had a 100% response rate, so if you want to give it a shot, structure your video like this:

1. Who you are
2. Why this role excites you
3. One way you’d contribute from day 1
4. Call-to-action (ex: “Would you be opposed to having a quick call together?”)

2. Following up after your networking conversations

Networking isn't transactional. It's about building relationships.

A thoughtful follow-up is how you earn trust, open doors, and stay memorable. Here's how.

→ 1. Follow up within 24-48 hours: You want to strike while the conversation is still fresh.

Example: “Hi [Name]. It was such a pleasure connecting at [event] yesterday! I especially enjoyed our conversation about [topic] and your experience at [Company]. I’m inspired by your work in [X] and would love to stay in touch.”

→ 2. Add value, not just thanks: Gratitude is good. Gratitude + relevance is better. Share something meaningful to them to be more memorable and impactful.

Example: “Thanks again for sharing insights on [challenge they mentioned]. I came across this [article/podcast] and thought of you as it speaks directly to what we discussed.”

→ 3. Offer a next step: Don’t leave the relationship hanging. Suggest a clear follow-up action.

Example: “Would love to continue our conversation over a virtual coffee. Are you free next Tuesday or Friday morning?” or “You mentioned [person] might be great for me to connect with. Would you be opposed to making an intro?”

Pro tip: End networking follow-ups with the question “Is there anyone else you recommend I speak to about [your goal]?” as this turns one connection into a broader network. Plus, you get their endorsement which facilitates meeting those other connections since you're now affiliated with the prior contact.

→ 4. Show your value: If your background or skills align with their work, subtly position yourself as someone who could help them, too. This flips the dynamic from you wanting something to you having something to offer.

Example: “Based on my experience in [X], I’d be happy to share insights from my recent [project/case study] if ever helpful. Let me know!”
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​[Check out my free training on How to build your visibility at work. Hint: networking is a key part of it]

3. Following up after your interviews

The interview may be over but your influence isn’t. Top candidates know it's the chance to reinforce your strengths, address any gaps, and stay top of mind while hiring decisions are being made.

Here’s how to do it right.

→ 1. Send a personalized thank-you within 24 hours: Each interviewer should receive a unique note. Be specific and reference something meaningful from your conversation.

Example: “Hi [Name], Thank you again for the opportunity to speak yesterday about the [role] at [Company]. I especially appreciated our conversation around [topic], and it gave me even more clarity on how I can support your team’s mission.”

Pro tip: For in-person interviews, drop off a handwritten thank-you note at the front desk before leaving. Prepare the envelope ahead of time, and update it with personal details post-interview.

→ 2. Reaffirm your fit and interest: This is your moment to underline why you’re the best choice.

Example: "I’m even more excited about the opportunity to contribute to [project/team], and I’m confident my experience with [relevant skills/projects] positions me to create meaningful impact from day one.”

→ 3. Fill in what was missed: Did you forget to mention something relevant or feel you undersold a response? Your follow-up is the place to make it right.

Example: “One point I didn’t get to elaborate on was that my recent work with [project] is closely aligned with your current challenges in [area], and I’d be happy to walk you through it in more detail.”

→ 4. Propose a next step if there’s an opening: If the interview sparked a deeper discussion or idea, keep the momentum going.

Example: “Given our discussion around [topic], I’d love to share a quick proposal or brief strategy outline I created that speaks to the challenges you mentioned. Let me know if that would be helpful.”

In fact, one of our clients did this in her first round interview and was immediately moved onto the next round because they were so impressed with her level of initiative.

→ 5. Keep the door open and dialogue flowing: A soft call-to-action signals confidence and encourages response from the other party.

Example: “Please let me know if there’s anything else I can provide to support your decision-making process. I’m excited about the opportunity and would love to stay in touch either way.”

[Check out my free Nail Your Interview training here].

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This week’s mission: Follow-up proactively without sounding desperate.

• Write and send 1 follow-up message. Choose 1 opportunity (application, networking, or interview) and send a personalized follow-up inspired by the templates I shared in today's newsletter.
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• Anchor your follow-up in value. Before sending it, ask yourself, “Does this message highlight how I can help, not just what I want?”​. Use this as your filter.
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• Reinforce your fit in 1 sentence. “My recent work on [project/skill] directly supports the goals you mentioned around [challenge/team need]. I'm really excited to dive deeper on this together and contribute in a meaningful way.”

You've got this!

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