How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

You’ve made it through the interview. You answered the questions, built a rapport with the hiring manager, and feel good about your performance. But the process isn’t over yet. The way you follow up after an interview can be just as important as the interview itself. A thoughtful, professional follow-up can reinforce your interest, address any lingering questions, and keep you top of mind as the hiring team makes its decision.

Many candidates either don’t follow up at all or send a generic, uninspired message. This is a missed opportunity. A strategic follow-up shows you’re proactive, organized, and genuinely interested in the role. It’s your final chance to make a lasting impression.

The Immediate Thank-You Email

The first step is to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. This is a non-negotiable part of modern job-seeking etiquette. It shows you’re professional and appreciative of their time.

Your thank-you email should be more than just a simple "Thanks for your time." It’s an opportunity to reiterate your interest and briefly touch on key points from your conversation. Here’s a simple structure to follow:

1. A Clear Subject Line. Something simple like "Thank you - [Job Title] Interview" works perfectly.
2. A Personalized Greeting. Address the interviewer by name.
3. Express Your Thanks. Start by thanking them for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the role and the company.
4. Reference a Specific Point. Mention something specific you discussed that resonated with you. This shows you were paying attention. For example, "I particularly enjoyed our conversation about the company’s plans for expanding into on-chain analytics."
5. Reiterate Your Interest and Fit. Briefly restate why you’re excited about the role and how your skills align with their needs. Connect one of your key qualifications to a problem or goal they mentioned. For example, "My experience in building data visualization dashboards seems to align perfectly with your goal of making on-chain data more accessible to the team."
6. A Professional Closing. End with a simple "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

If you interviewed with multiple people, send a separate, personalized email to each person. It takes a bit more time, but it shows a higher level of professionalism and attention to detail.

Checking in on the Timeline

During your interview, it’s always a good idea to ask about the hiring timeline. This gives you a clear idea of when it’s appropriate to follow up if you haven’t heard back. If the hiring manager said they’d be in touch by the end of the week, don’t email them on Friday morning. Give them the time they asked for.

If the stated deadline has passed by a day or two and you haven’t heard anything, it’s perfectly acceptable to send a polite follow-up email. This email should be short, professional, and non-demanding.

You can reply to your original thank-you email to keep the context. A simple message works best: "Hi [Interviewer's Name], I hope you’re having a great week. I’m just checking in on the timeline for the [Job Title] position. I really enjoyed our conversation and remain very interested in the opportunity. Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide."

This shows your continued interest without being pushy. It also serves as a gentle reminder in case your application has gotten lost in a busy inbox.

When to Make a Phone Call

In most modern hiring processes, email is the preferred method of communication. A phone call can be seen as intrusive unless you’ve been specifically encouraged to call. However, there are a few situations where a call might be appropriate.

If you’ve been given a specific contact person, like an internal recruiter, and the timeline has long passed with no response to your emails, a brief and professional phone call might be your last resort. When you call, be prepared to leave a concise voicemail. State your name, the position you interviewed for, and that you’re just following up. Keep it brief and friendly.

Handling a Vague or Non-Existent Timeline

Sometimes, a company won’t give you a clear timeline. In this case, a good rule of thumb is to wait about a week to ten business days after your interview before sending your first check-in email.

If you still don’t hear back after that, you can send one final follow-up about a week later. After that, it’s generally best to move on. While it’s frustrating when companies don’t communicate, continuing to send emails can come across as desperate. Focus your energy on other opportunities.

The key to effective follow-up is to be persistent but not pushy. Your goal is to demonstrate your professionalism and enthusiasm for the role. A well-timed, well-written follow-up can be the small detail that sets you apart from other qualified candidates and helps you land the job.

Internal Links for Further Reading

• Common Job Interview Questions and Answers
• Thank You Email Templates for Interviews
• How to Handle Job Rejection Gracefully

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if I don't have the interviewer's email address?

If you were communicating with a recruiter, you can send the thank-you note to them and ask them to pass it along to the hiring team. You can also try to find the interviewer's email address through LinkedIn or the company’s website, but be mindful of their privacy.

Should I connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn?

It’s generally a good idea to send a LinkedIn connection request after the interview. Include a personalized note referencing your conversation. This is another professional way to stay on their radar.

What if I realize I made a mistake in the interview?

If you realize you flubbed an answer, you can use your thank-you email as an opportunity to briefly and gracefully correct it. For example, "After our conversation, I gave more thought to your question about [topic]. I wanted to add that [brief, corrected answer]." Keep it short and confident. Don’t dwell on the mistake.