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- A follow up email after an interview is a short, polite message that checks on the hiring timeline and restates your interest, sent after your thank-you note.
- Send it once the date the interviewer gave you has passed, or about a week after the interview if no date was given.
- Keep it to three parts: a friendly opener, one clear question about timing, and one line reaffirming your interest.
- Follow up twice at most, about a week apart. Then keep searching, and sharpen your resume with our free ATS resume checker.
A follow up email after interview is a short, polite message that asks where the hiring process stands and restates your interest in the job. Sent at the right time, it keeps you on the employer’s radar without feeling pushy.
This guide covers when to send a follow up email after interview, what to say, how many times to follow up, and what to do if you hear nothing. It includes three copy-ready examples, including one for when you hold another offer.
How often should you follow up, and how long should you wait?
Follow up twice at most after an interview, about a week apart, then move on and keep applying elsewhere.
| Situation | When to follow up | Why |
|---|---|---|
| They gave a decision date | One business day after it passes | Respects their timeline |
| No timeline was given | 5 to 7 business days after the interview | Allows for normal delays |
| They said they would be in touch soon | About a week after the interview | Gives time without going cold |
| You hold another offer with a deadline | As soon as you know the deadline | Gives them time to act, and it is honest |
Two follow up emails to copy: the check-in and the nudge
A good follow up email is short, polite, and specific: it names the role and interview date, asks about the timeline, and thanks the reader. Below are two examples to copy and adapt.
Example 1: First follow up (status check)
Subject: Following up: [Job Title] interview on [date]
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you are well. I enjoyed speaking with you on [date] about the [Job Title] role, and I remain very interested in joining [Company Name].
When we spoke, you mentioned a decision by [date]. Could you share where the team is in the process, and whether I can provide anything else?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone number]
Example 2: Second follow up (nudge after silence)
Subject: Checking in on the [Job Title] role
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I wanted to follow up once more on the [Job Title] position. I understand hiring timelines can shift, and I remain enthusiastic about the opportunity.
If it would help, I can send work samples or references. Either way, I would appreciate any update when you have one.
Thank you again for your time.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Holding another offer? Say so early
If you hold another offer, tell the employer right away, because a real deadline is a good reason to follow up early. Be honest and polite, and never invent an offer.
Example 3: Follow up when you hold another offer
Subject: Quick update on my [Job Title] interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I remain very interested in the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. I have received another offer that I need to answer by [date]. [If true: Your team is my first choice.]
Could you share where you are in the process, and whether a decision is possible by then? Thank you for your time and understanding.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Writing a follow up that is easy to answer
Write a follow up email in five steps: use a clear subject line, open with a friendly reminder, ask one question, restate your interest, and close politely.
Use a clear subject line
Name the role and the interview date so the reader can place you instantly. Keep it calm and specific, and skip pleading or pressure.
Do: “Following up: Sales Associate interview on [date]” · Not: “Just checking in!!!”
Open with a friendly reminder
Remind them who you are and when you met. Recruiters talk to many candidates, so a quick reference saves them a search.
Do: “I enjoyed meeting with you on [date] about the [Job Title] role.” · Not: “You have not replied to my last email.”
Ask one clear question
Ask about the timeline, and nothing else. One simple question is easy to answer in a sentence.
Do: “Could you share where you are in the hiring timeline?” · Not: Demanding a decision or asking three questions
Restate your interest and add value
Say you are still keen, and offer something helpful, such as a work sample or references. Do not retell your whole resume.
Do: “I remain very interested, and I am glad to share work samples.” · Not: Pasting your resume into the email
Close politely and make it easy to reply
Thank them, sign off professionally, and include your phone number. Proofread before you send.
Do: “Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.” · Not: “I need an answer by tomorrow” (unless you hold another offer)
“A good follow up gives the hiring manager an easy reason to reply. Be brief, name the role, and ask one question they can answer in a sentence.”
ResumeCroc resume team
Is a slow reply a bad sign?
Most delays are administrative rather than a verdict on you. A calm, well-timed follow up shows professionalism and gives the employer an easy chance to reply.
Follow up or thank you: what is the difference?
A follow up email after an interview is a brief message, sent after your thank-you note, that checks on the hiring timeline and reaffirms your interest.
It is not the same as a thank-you. The thank-you goes out within 24 hours, while the follow up waits until the timeline you were given has passed. Our thank you email after interview guide covers the first message.
| Feature | Thank-you email | Follow up email |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Thank the interviewer and make a final pitch | Check on timing and show continued interest |
| When | Within 24 hours of the interview | After their stated date, or about a week later |
| Length | Under 150 words | Under 100 words |
| Your ask | None, or a mention of next steps | One clear question about timing |
Email, phone, or LinkedIn: where should it go?
Email is the safest channel, and replying in the same thread as your thank-you keeps the whole history in one place. In Robert Half’s survey on following up after applying, HR managers named email first, with phone a distant second.
Call only if the recruiter invited calls. Avoid texts and social media messages unless the recruiter used them first.
What makes a hiring manager more likely to reply?
A follow up is easiest to answer when it is short and asks one clear question that the reader can answer in a sentence.
What makes a hiring manager more likely to reply (illustrative)
Longer bar, easier to answer. The more pressure you add, the less likely a reply. A directional guide only.
Illustrative guidance from the ResumeCroc resume team, not a measured statistic.
When the inbox stays silent
If you hear nothing after two follow ups, assume the process has stalled, keep applying elsewhere, and, if you like, send one final gracious note.
Silence is common and rarely personal. Hiring plans change, budgets freeze, and decision makers get busy. Put your energy into new applications instead.
Use the wait to prepare for the next interview. Our guide on how to answer why should we hire you helps you sharpen your pitch.
Habits that make a follow up backfire
Avoid following up too soon, too often, or too forcefully. Each of these can turn a good impression into a poor one.
- Emailing the next day. Give the employer time to meet their own timeline.
- Sending several messages at once. One clear email beats three.
- Sounding frustrated. Stay friendly, even after a long silence.
- Using personal channels. Use the contact the recruiter gave you.
Waiting on an answer? Strengthen your resume.
Paste your resume and a job description into our free checker for an instant ATS score, the keywords you are missing, and prioritized fixes, all in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
When should I send a follow up email after an interview?
Send it once the date the interviewer gave you has passed. If you were not given a date, wait about 5 to 7 business days after your interview. Send your thank-you email separately, within 24 hours of the interview.
What should I say in a follow up email after interview?
Use a clear subject line, remind them who you are and which role you interviewed for, ask one question about the timeline, restate your interest, and thank them. Keep it under 100 words.
How many times should I follow up after an interview?
Follow up twice at most, about a week apart. After the second email, assume the process has stalled and keep applying elsewhere. Reach out again only if you have real news, such as another offer.
What if I get no response after following up?
Stay patient and keep your search moving. Hiring often stalls for reasons that have nothing to do with you. You can send one final, gracious note later, but do not keep chasing. A new application is a better use of your time.
What is a good subject line for a follow up email?
Keep it clear and specific, such as “Following up: [Job Title] interview on [date]” or “Checking in on the [Job Title] role”. Avoid vague or pushy subject lines like “Hello?” or “Just checking in!!!”.
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