How to Follow Up After an Interview: Timeline and Email Templates

Following up after an interview is about staying on the employer's radar without being pushy. The rule of thumb is simple: a thank you email within 24 hours, then nothing until the decision date they gave you has passed, then a short, polite check-in. Below is a timeline, templates for each situation, and what not to do while you wait.

The follow-up timeline

The most useful step is the first one. If you know when they plan to decide, you know when it's reasonable to follow up.

Before you send anything

• Check your spam folder and voicemail.
• Reread the last email from the recruiter for any timeline you missed.
• Make sure you're writing to the right person, usually the recruiter or coordinator.

Templates

1. Thank you email (within 24 hours)

See our full guide with seven versions: thank you email after an interview.

2. First follow-up after the decision date

Subject: Following up - [Job title] interview

Hi [Name],

I hope your week is going well. I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Job title] role on [date]. I'm still very interested in the position and would be glad to share anything else that would help. Is there an update on the timeline?

Thank you, [Your name]

3. Second follow-up (about a week later)

Subject: Re: Following up - [Job title] interview

Hi [Name],

Just checking in again on the [Job title] role. I understand these things take time. If the position has been filled or the timeline has changed, I'd appreciate knowing so I can plan accordingly.

Best regards, [Your name]

Reply in the same thread so they can see the history.

4. When you've received another offer

Subject: Update on my timeline - [Job title]

Hi [Name],

Thank you again for the interviews for the [Job title] role. I wanted to let you know that I've received another offer and have been asked to respond by [date]. [Company] is still my first choice, so I wanted to ask whether there's any update you can share before then.

Thank you for your help, [Your name]

Only send this if the other offer is real.

5. After a rejection

Subject: Thank you

Hi [Name],

Thank you for letting me know, and for the time you and the team spent with me. I enjoyed learning about [team or project]. If a similar role opens up in the future, I'd be glad to be considered. If you have any feedback on my interview, I'd appreciate it.

Best wishes, [Your name]

This keeps the door open; some companies come back to strong runners-up.

6. Short follow-up with a recruiter by message (LinkedIn or text)

Hi [Name], hope you're well. Just wanted to check whether there's any update on the [Job title] role. Thanks!

What not to do

• Follow up the day after the interview (other than the thank you).
• Email every interviewer separately to ask for a decision. Stick to one contact.
• Call repeatedly. One call, if any, is enough.
• Send a long message re-pitching yourself. Keep follow-ups to three or four sentences.
• Sound annoyed. Delays are common and usually have nothing to do with you.
• Stop applying elsewhere. Until you have a written offer, keep your search going.

Why companies go quiet

Silence doesn't always mean no. Common reasons include:

• Other candidates are still being interviewed
• The hiring manager is traveling or on leave
• Budget or headcount is being approved
• They're waiting on a first-choice candidate's answer
• An internal candidate has come forward

That's why a polite, patient follow-up works better than pressure.

If you're invited to another round

Reply quickly, confirm the time and format, and ask who you'll meet. Our second interview questions guide explains what usually changes in later rounds. At the end of each round, ask about next steps again; our list of questions to ask at the end of an interview includes good ways to phrase it.