A follow-up email after an interview is not the same as a thank-you note. The thank-you email goes out within 24 hours to express appreciation and reinforce your interest. The follow-up email comes later - when the deadline the employer gave you has passed, or when a week or more has gone by with no word. It serves a different purpose: to check in professionally, confirm your continued interest, and gently prompt a decision.
Most candidates either wait too long in silence, or follow up too aggressively. This guide covers exactly when to send, what to say, and how to do it without damaging your chances.
When to Send a Follow-up Email After an Interview
If the interviewer gave you a timeline: wait until one business day after that date. If they said "we will be in touch by Friday," send your follow-up the following Monday.
If no timeline was given: wait five to seven business days from the date of the interview. Any earlier risks coming across as impatient. Any later and a decision may already have been made without you.
Second follow-up: if you still have not heard back after your first follow-up, you may send one more email after another five to seven business days. After two follow-ups with no response, it is reasonable to treat the application as closed and move on.
| Situation | When to send |
|---|---|
| Interviewer gave a timeline | One business day after that deadline |
| No timeline given | 5-7 business days after interview |
| No response to first follow-up | 5-7 business days after first follow-up |
| After two follow-ups | Move on - do not contact again |
What to Include in Your Follow-up Email
A strong follow-up email does five things:
- Reminds the interviewer who you are - mention the role and the date of your interview
- Confirms your continued interest - brief, specific, not desperate
- Adds one small point of value - a sentence about why you are a good fit, ideally referencing something from the interview conversation
- Asks a clear question - request an update on timing or next steps
- Keeps it short - three to five sentences is the right length; hiring managers are busy
What to avoid: lengthy recaps of why you want the job, emotional language, guilt-tripping, and anything that suggests you are waiting anxiously by the phone.
Follow-up Email Templates
Template 1 - Standard Follow-up (No Response, No Deadline Given)
Subject: Following up - [Job Title] interview on [Date]
Hi [Name],
I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Job Title] role on [Date]. I remain very interested in the position and in joining the team at [Company].
Please let me know if you need anything further from my side, or if you can share any update on timing for the next steps.
Thank you for your time.
[Your name]
Template 2 - Deadline Passed (Interviewer Gave a Timeline)
Subject: [Job Title] - Following up after [deadline day]
Hi [Name],
When we spoke on [Date], you mentioned a decision would be made around [deadline]. I wanted to check in as that date has now passed.
I am still very enthusiastic about the [Job Title] role and would love to hear about any updates on the timeline.
Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon.
[Your name]
Template 3 - Second Follow-up (No Response to First)
Subject: Re: [Job Title] - one more check-in
Hi [Name],
I realise you may be busy, so I wanted to send one final note regarding the [Job Title] position. I remain interested in the role and would welcome any update on where things stand, even if the timeline has shifted.
Thank you again for the opportunity to interview. I hope to hear from you.
[Your name]
Template 4 - Follow-up After a Panel or Group Interview
Subject: Following up - [Job Title] panel interview on [Date]
Hi [Name],
Thank you again for arranging the panel interview for the [Job Title] role on [Date]. I enjoyed meeting the team and learning more about [specific detail from the interview].
I wanted to follow up and confirm my continued interest. Please do let me know if you require any additional information or if you can share any updates on next steps.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Template 5 - Follow-up When You Have a Competing Offer
Subject: [Job Title] - Update on my availability
Hi [Name],
I wanted to reach out regarding the [Job Title] position. I interviewed with your team on [Date] and have since received an offer from another employer, with a decision deadline of [date].
[Company Name] remains my first choice, and I did not want to make any decision without first checking in with you. Is there any update on the timeline for the [Job Title] role?
I appreciate your time and hope to hear from you.
[Your name]
Template 6 - Follow-up for an Internal Role
Subject: Following up - [Job Title] internal application
Hi [Name],
I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Job Title] role on [Date]. As someone already within the team, I have a strong sense of how much this opportunity aligns with the direction I want to take my career, and I remain very keen.
Please do let me know if you need anything further, or if you can share any update on timing.
Thank you,
[Your name]
How to Send: Practical Tips
- Reply to the existing thread. If you have already exchanged emails with this person, reply to that thread rather than starting a new one. It keeps context and is less likely to be filtered as spam.
- Address the right person. Always write to whoever interviewed you or whoever has been your point of contact. Do not CC other people unless you have been asked to.
- Use a clear subject line. Vague subject lines like "Just checking in" or "Hi" get ignored. Use the job title and interview date.
- Do not apologise for following up. Avoid phrases like "Sorry to bother you" or "I hope this isn't too much." A professional follow-up is entirely appropriate and expected.
- Proofread before sending. A typo in your follow-up - especially in the hiring manager's name - can undo the positive impression from your interview.
What to Do If You Still Hear Nothing
After two follow-ups with no response, do not send a third. At this point, the most likely explanations are that the role has been filled, paused, or the decision-maker has changed. Sending more emails will not change the outcome and risks closing the door to future opportunities at that company.
Move on actively: keep applying, keep interviewing, and let this one go. If the role reopens or a new one comes up in future, you can reach out again - and because you were professional throughout, there is no reason you would not be considered.
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Get your free CV scoreFrequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before sending a follow-up email after an interview?
If the interviewer gave you a timeline, wait one business day after that date. If no timeline was given, wait five to seven business days from the interview date. Contacting the employer sooner than this can come across as impatient.
What should I say in a follow-up email after an interview?
Keep it brief - three to five sentences. Mention the role and interview date to remind the interviewer who you are, confirm your continued interest, and ask for an update on next steps. Avoid lengthy explanations or emotional appeals.
Is it okay to send a second follow-up if I still have not heard back?
Yes, one additional follow-up is acceptable. Wait another five to seven business days after your first message. After two follow-ups with no response, do not contact the employer again - the position has likely been filled or paused.
Should I follow up by phone or email?
Email is preferred unless the recruiter or interviewer has specifically communicated by phone throughout the process. Email gives the hiring manager control over when they respond and creates a written record.
What is the difference between a thank-you email and a follow-up email?
A thank-you email is sent within 24 hours of your interview to express gratitude and reinforce interest. A follow-up email is sent several days later, after the expected decision timeline has passed, to check on the status of your application.
How do I follow up if I have received another job offer?
Be direct and honest. Tell the hiring manager that you have received an offer from another employer, give your decision deadline, and say that the role you interviewed for remains your preference. This is a legitimate way to prompt a faster decision without being pushy.