How and When To Follow Up After a Job Interview

The job application process can feel stressful from the moment you send an application that you hope will make it through the screening process and get you an interview. 

Even when you think you’ll get the job after an interview, the journey from job post to job offer can seem interminable, especially if you don't get a lot of feedback along the way.

The good news is that you don't have to wait anxiously for a response. In fact, once you've had a job interview, you can improve your odds of getting hired by touching base with the hiring manager. 

Consider best practices before you reach out. This article will explain how and when to follow up after a job interview. 

When should you follow up after an interview?

After an interview, you have two great opportunities to underline your enthusiasm for the position: a thank-you message and a follow-up message. 

There's no hard and fast timeline for following up after a meeting. The timing may differ depending on the context, such as whether this was your first interview or the last step in a longer hiring process. As a rule of thumb:

• Within 24–48 hours, send a thank-you message to express your appreciation for the interviewer's time
• After five to seven business days, send a note to request an update on the hiring process and keep communication open
  

Many potential clients and employers are happy to hear from someone they've interviewed when the response is done well. 

The key is to strike a balance that keeps you top of mind in a concise, polite, and professional manner without coming across as impatient or demanding.

Reasons to follow up after an interview

A follow-up message isn't just courteous — it can strengthen your candidacy and help you stand out in a competitive hiring process. Here are the key reasons it matters:

• Show your commitment. Reinforce your interest in the role and highlight your enthusiasm for contributing to the organization
• Reiterate your value. Reference key discussion points to demonstrate that you understand the company's needs and are prepared to address them
• Stay memorable. Many candidates never follow up, so taking initiative helps differentiate you, especially when job postings receive hundreds of applicants
• Score an extra point. When all other considerations across candidates are considered equal, the single act of expressing appreciation can be a tie-breaker.
• Close open loops. Offer any additional materials, answer unresolved questions, or clarify points discussed during the interview
• Confirm next steps. Ensure you understand timelines and expectations, reducing uncertainty for both you and the employer

Best tips for email follow-up after an interview

When you reach out to a hiring manager after an interview, your message should be concise and to the point. 

The key is to jog the hiring manager's memory about your skills and potential to help increase your chances of landing the position. Maintain a professional tone throughout the email, and don't go off topic.

Successful follow-up emails often share certain elements:

• Subject line. Keep this as short and clear as possible. You want to immediately grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager by including your name and specifying that the email is a post-interview follow-up.
• Introduction. Start the email with a formal greeting and reiterate your gratitude for being considered for the position. Depending on your level of familiarity with the hiring manager, use either the interviewer's name or their job title.
• Main body. Explain that you're following up after an interview and be specific regarding the position, job title, and date of the interview. Include a detailed personal statement about what makes the position so appealing to you. This could include anything from the company's charitable causes to your readiness to take the next step in your career.
• Sign-off. Conclude the email with a complimentary closing and your name.
  

If you don't have the hiring manager's email, look for it on the company webpage. If you can't find it, consider following up with a phone call.

Sample follow-up emails after an interview

If you're unsure what constitutes an effective follow-up email, we provide some examples to use for a thank-you note and check-ins.

Interview follow-up with a thank-you email

[Subject line]: Thank You — [Job role] Interview Follow-Up

Dear [Name] / Hiring Manager,

I’m reaching out to thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to meet with me last Monday afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed discussing the position of [Position name] with you and found your explanations interesting and highly informative. Learning about the company culture, mission statement, and ethos helped me see just what a great fit I would be.

I believe that my years of experience in a similar position, coupled with my diverse skill set, make me uniquely qualified to excel at this job.

I look forward to your decision regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

First follow-up email after a job interview

Subject line: [Your name] — [Job role] Interview Follow-Up

Dear [Name] / Hiring Manager,

I hope your week is going well! It was great talking to you about the position of [Position name] this past Monday. Thank you once again for considering my application.

I thought I'd check in to see if there’s any update regarding the recruitment process. I believe my skills and years of experience make me a perfect fit for the position. [If possible, add a brief statement about what excites you about this company or position.] Please let me know if you need any additional information that would help you make your decision.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Second follow-up email (if you don't get a response)

Subject line: [Your name] — RE [Job role] Interview Follow-Up

Dear [Name] / Hiring Manager,

I recently interviewed for the position of [Position name] on Monday, Xth of [Month]. Since I haven't heard back from your department, I’m contacting you to ask whether you've filled the position. If not, do you have a deadline for the final decision?

I'm excited about the opportunity to [add a brief sentence about what excites you about this job or position] and would love to move forward here.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

If you want to craft an email that immediately grabs the interviewer's attention, consider working with an experienced email copywriter through Upwork.

Phone call follow-up tips after an interview

Choosing to connect with a hiring manager by phone can add a particularly personal touch to your follow-up efforts. Getting your message just right can boost your chances of job search success.

To avoid getting tongue-tied in the moment, consider having a script to refer to. Before you pick up the phone, jot down an outline that covers the most relevant points. 

This ensures you won't forget any key details once the conversation is rolling.

Essential information to share with the hiring manager includes:

• Your name
• The position for which you interviewed
• The date of the interview
• One thing that excites you about the company or position
• An invitation to call you back
• Your phone number
  

Much like an email message, the phone call should be simple and brief. Include that one salient point that attracted you to the company, but avoid tangents and lengthy monologues that could derail the conversation.

Example voicemail messages

Hiring managers tend to have hectic schedules, so connecting over the phone isn't guaranteed. Consider this example of a message you can leave if nobody picks up.

Follow-up voicemail after a job interview

Hi [Name of the hiring manager],

This is [Your name]. I interviewed for the position of [Name of the position] on Monday.

I enjoyed our conversation about the position and found your interview questions interesting and thought-provoking. I'm calling to inquire about any updates regarding your hiring process.

When you have the time, please call me back at: XXX-XXX-XXXX.

You might also have the option of leaving a message with someone else at the office.

Voicemail about passing along a message about a job interview

Hello,

This is [Your name]. I interviewed for the position of [Name of the position] with [Name of the hiring manager/interviewer] on [Date of interview].

I found the interview very pleasant, and I enjoyed learning about your company and the specifics of the position. I'm calling to ask about any updates regarding your hiring process, and I would greatly appreciate it if you could pass my message along.

Can you have them call me back at XXX-XXX-XXXX?

Post-interview follow-up best practices

Before you proactively touch base with a hiring manager, make sure your message works in your favor and doesn't add undue pressure. 

Let's review some practical tips to help you set the right tone. 

Respect any timelines you've been given

There are best practices for following up, but use your judgment. Reaching out quickly means your interview will still be fresh, but if you do it too soon, you can easily get lost in the shuffle of other interviews and applications.

If a hiring manager gives you a timeline for the hiring process, stick to it. Timeframes can fluctuate and get held up by reasons such as indecision, shifting priorities, and the high volume of applications. 

However, if you've been told the company will get in touch with you in two weeks, don't contact them after six days to ask for an update.

Personalize your message

Show you were thoroughly engaged and paying attention during your interview by tailoring your message to reflect your conversation. For example:

• Refer back to one of the topics you discussed
• Mention something you learned about the company or the role that resonates with you
• Briefly recap why you're such a good fit for the position

Finally, if you feel something was missed during the interview — perhaps a comparable project you worked on or particular expertise you can offer — briefly introduce it in your follow-up message.

Pace your communication

The last thing you want to do, especially when you're excited about a position, is to spam a hiring manager with incessant messages and inquiries. 

Seeming too aggressive can make you stand out negatively and decrease your perceived value; you don't want to pressure the company into an immediate answer.

Instead, spread your correspondence out over a period of time that respects the hiring manager's time and the other commitments they have on their plate.

If you reach out and don't receive a response, or if you haven't heard back within the timeframe you were given, it's acceptable to send another follow-up message to reiterate your continued interest and politely ask about any updates.

Keep messages formal and businesslike

You don't want your follow-up messages to undo all the hard work you've done to get to this point. The tone, language, and attention to detail are all important considerations.

• Be courteous throughout the follow-up process, especially if it takes longer than expected.
• Keep messages brief and to the point, just a few short paragraphs to get your point across.
• Proofread before sending your message to double-check for spelling or grammatical errors.
• End your message with a call to action, such as an invitation to get in touch with additional questions, so it's clear that you're open to continuing the conversation.

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Following up after a job interview FAQs

Whether you want to make a lasting impression or express your gratitude for the opportunity, how and when you get in touch after an interview can impact the final outcome. 

Let's review answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you handle this important step with confidence and tact.

Is sending an interview follow-up email worth it?

A survey by TopResume found that 68% of HR managers take thank-you messages into account when making hiring decisions. Taking time to send a follow-up email after an interview is a courtesy that can set you apart from other candidates and leave a positive impression on the interviewer.

How long should you wait for a response after an interview?

Generally speaking, you can expect to get a response within a week of the interview. However, this varies from one company to another. Several factors could influence the response time.

• Other candidates are still being interviewed. Your interview may be the first in a long line of job interviews; maybe you did a screening interview and are waiting to hear back about the next phase in the hiring process. Whatever the situation, the hiring manager will likely need time before they're able to move forward.
• Human resources may be waiting for additional input. In most companies, hiring decisions involve several people. The process could take weeks if a key decision-maker has yet to provide a definitive response or feedback to HR or the recruiter.
• Other priorities are being addressed. In smaller companies, departments often juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. Recruitment may be moved to the back burner if important deliverables are due.
• The employer is still conducting background checks. Running a background check is common when screening job applicants. A typical check may take up to four days, barring unexpected complications.

What if they don't respond within 1–2 weeks after the interview?

A delayed response can be attributed to a wide range of factors. For example, a potential employer might still be interviewing applicants, a key decision-maker could be on vacation, or it could simply be the fact that filling the position is no longer an immediate priority.

Regardless of the reason, remember to stay calm and don't take the delay personally: 

Eight out of 10 hiring managers admit that they've ghosted candidates. If it has been a long delay, try to connect with the hiring manager once more, then move on with your job hunt.