When and Why to Follow Up After an Interview
Hiring moves slowly. If you sent a thank-you email and still haven't heard back by the timeline the interviewer mentioned — or after a week or two of silence — a single, brief follow-up is entirely appropriate. It shows persistence without being pushy, and often prompts a response.
How to Follow Up Without Being Annoying
The difference between a helpful follow-up and an irritating one comes down to timing, tone, and frequency:
- ✓Wait until after the timeline they gave you has passed — following up early signals impatience
- ✓One follow-up email is enough; sending multiple follow-ups rarely changes the outcome
- ✓Keep it brief — 3–4 sentences, no pressure, easy to respond to
3 Post-Interview Follow-Up Templates
Choose the template that fits your situation and personalise the bracketed fields.
Template 1 — Following up after the stated timeline
Subject: Following up — [Job Title] interview Hi [Interviewer Name], I wanted to follow up on our conversation on [interview date] about the [Job Title] role. You mentioned a decision would be made by [date], so I'm checking in to see if there's an update. I remain very interested in the position and in [Company]. Please let me know if there's anything else I can provide. Best, [Your Name]
Template 2 — No timeline was given
Subject: Checking in — [Job Title] interview Hi [Interviewer Name], I hope you're having a good week. I wanted to check in following my interview for the [Job Title] role on [date]. I'm still very interested in the opportunity and would love to hear where things stand whenever you're able to share an update. Thank you for your time. [Your Name]
Template 3 — You have a competing offer
Subject: Update on my [Job Title] candidacy Hi [Interviewer Name], I wanted to reach out because I've received an offer from another company with a decision deadline of [date]. [Company] remains my first choice, and I wanted to be transparent rather than make a decision without giving you the opportunity to weigh in. If it's possible to have an update before [date], I'd be very grateful. I understand if the timeline doesn't work, and I appreciate everything regardless. Best, [Your Name]
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Common questions
How long should I wait before following up after an interview?
If the interviewer gave you a timeline, wait until that date has passed — then follow up within a day or two. If no timeline was given, wait five to seven business days before following up.
Is it OK to follow up more than once?
Generally, send only one follow-up email. A second follow-up can come across as pushy and rarely changes the outcome. If you have a competing offer with a deadline, that is the one exception where a second, transparent message is appropriate.
What should I do if the follow-up email goes unanswered?
If you don't hear back after your follow-up, move on. It's likely that the role was filled internally, the timeline changed, or the position was put on hold. Continue applying elsewhere and treat this one as a no until you hear otherwise.