Following up after a job interview is a standard part of the hiring process. This communication demonstrates continued interest in the role and respect for the interviewer’s time. A well-managed follow-up can reinforce the positive impression you made during the interview, keeping you top-of-mind with the hiring team as they make their decisions.
Send an Immediate Thank-You Note
Within 24 hours of your interview, it is important to send a thank-you message. An email is the most common and effective method for this communication. The primary purpose is to express gratitude for the opportunity to meet and not to inquire about the hiring timeline.
Your message should be concise and professional. Address the interviewer by name and thank them for their time. To personalize the note, mention a specific point from your discussion that you found insightful, which shows you were engaged.
Reiterate your interest in the position and keep the communication brief. This immediate thank-you is distinct from a later follow-up that checks on the hiring decision. Sending it promptly reinforces your professionalism.
Know When to Send a Follow-Up
The timing of your next follow-up, after the initial thank-you note, depends on the information you received at the end of your interview. Patience is important, as contacting the employer too soon can appear overly anxious. Respecting their stated process demonstrates your professionalism.
If the interviewer provided a specific timeline, such as “we will make a decision by the end of next week,” you should honor it. Wait until at least one full business day after that deadline has passed before sending a message.
In cases where no timeline was given, a general guideline is to wait about five to seven business days before reaching out. This period allows them to conduct other interviews and hold necessary internal discussions without feeling pressured by applicants.
Craft Your Follow-Up Message
When sending a follow-up to check on the status of the role, the message should be polite, concise, and direct. Its purpose is to gently ask for an update on the hiring process without being demanding. A clear subject line is effective; reply to the original interview invitation or use a subject like “Follow-up regarding [Job Title] interview.”
Begin the email by politely reminding the recipient who you are. State your name, the position you interviewed for, and the date of the interview. This helps the hiring manager quickly recall your application.
Politely ask for an update on their decision-making process. It is also helpful to reiterate your strong interest in the position and the company. Conclude your message by thanking them again for their time and consideration, and sign off professionally with your full name.
Handle Further Communication
If your initial follow-up email does not receive a response, it can be difficult to know the next step. Balance persistence with professionalism, remembering that hiring managers are often busy. Should a week pass with no word, it is acceptable to send one final, brief message.
This email should be even more concise than the last. Simply reiterate your continued interest in the role and state that you are available to provide any additional information they might need.
After this second attempt, it is best to cease communication regarding this role. Continuing to send messages can negatively impact your impression. Redirect your energy toward pursuing other job opportunities, as not hearing back is a common occurrence.
Avoid Common Follow-Up Mistakes
One of the most frequent missteps is following up too soon or too often. Adhere to the timelines discussed; if no timeline was given, wait at least a week before your first check-in. Bombarding the hiring manager with messages can signal impatience.
The tone of your communication is also important. Avoid using language that is overly casual, demanding, or desperate. Your messages should always be professional, polite, and proofread for any spelling or grammatical errors.
Stick to your primary point of contact, which is the hiring manager or the HR representative who scheduled the interview. Also, ensure your message is personalized; a generic email lacks the impact of one that references your conversation. Finally, a follow-up is not the place to inquire about salary or benefits, as those discussions are reserved for when an offer is extended.