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Post Interview: Follow-up Email

Post Interview: Follow-up Email When There's No Response

Why Follow Up

A follow-up Email lets you reconnect and request an update in a polite, professional way while also showing you are still interested in the job. In fact, if you approach it correctly, the hiring manager may see you as a stronger candidate after, and that could be enough to tip you over the edge and secure you an offer.

What is a Follow-up Email

A follow-up Email is a brief email asking for more information about your status within the hiring process after you haven’t heard back in a reasonable amount of time.

  • contains a simple request for an update
  • You can also use it to do more (e.g. reaffirm your interest in the role)
  • it’s normal to express your appreciation for being considered (even if the hiring manager has not reached out since meeting you)

When Should Follow Up

  • (Normally) 5 business days after the end of your job interview if you have not heard anything
  • If the employer provided an expected date for feedback after the interview, follow up one business day after that date has passed.

How to Follow Up by Email

Follow up with whom?

Follow up with whoever said they’d been in touch after your interview. If you’re not sure, follow up with whoever you were emailing to scheduling the interview.

The person who scheduled your interview is a good person to follow up with to check the status of interview feedback.

Subject line of the follow-up Email

Simply reply to the latest email thread (that you used to schedule the interview) and leave the previous subject line.

For example, let’s say that this was the previous email subject line:

Interview on Thursday at 10:00 AM

You should hit “reply” in your email program and then the subject line will look like this:

Re: Interview on Thursday at 10:00 AM

Continuing with the existing email thread and leaving the subject line as-is will boost your email’s chances of getting opened faster. The recipient will open your follow-up email because it’s clear what the email is about (and it’s clear that you’re not a stranger or someone cold-emailing them).

If you don’t have a previous email to reply to, then choose one of the following subject lines for your interview follow-up email:

  • Job interview follow-up
  • Following up regarding job interview
  • Interview status follow-up
  • Following up regarding interview results

Body of the Follow-Up Email

Tips

  • Should be short and to-the-point.
    • Most employers prefer to receive a short and sweet follow-up email after the job interview without any unnecessary info.
  • Be clear and direct about why you’re following up. Don’t be timid.
  • Should be polite and respectful, no matter how long you’ve been waiting.
  • Ensure there are no spelling/grammar/punctuation errors

How to write

  • Greet the recipient.
  • Explain that you’re following up regarding the job you interviewed for, to ask about the status.
  • Be specific when mentioning the job; include the job title, the date you interviewed, or both.
  • Reaffirm your interest in the position.
  • Ask directly for an update and say you look forward to hearing about the next steps.
  • Offer to Share More Information.
  • Finish by thanking the reader and signing off with your first and last name.
  • Keep your interview follow-up email short and to-the-point without any unnecessary content.
  • Run spellcheck, and proofread everything before sending your follow-up email.
  • Maintain a positive tone throughout, and do NOT show frustration, even if this is a second or third follow-up after no response.

Templates

Template 1

RE: Thank you following the interview on [INSERT DATE]

Dear sir/madam,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to interview me for the position of [INSERT POSITION] on [INTERVIEW DATE].

I am genuinely excited about the prospect of working for your organization. If you need any further information, details, or evidence to help you make a decision, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

(Very) Short and Sweet Follow-Up Email

Subject: Following Up on [Job Title] Interview

Email:

Hello Mrs. Jane Doe,

I wanted to quickly follow-up and see if there are any updates on the [Job Title] position I interviewed for on [interview date]. I’m very excited about this opportunity and look forward to learning about any next steps. If you need any more information from me, please let me know, and I’ll happily provide it. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

First + Second Follow-Up Email After No Response

First Follow-Up Email

Hi [NAME>],

I hope all is well.

I’m following up to see if you have any status updates regarding the [JOB TITLE] position that I interviewed for on [DATE].

I’m excited to hear about the next steps, and the role seems like a great fit for my background based on what I learned! Any updates you can share would be great.

Thanks so much,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

Second Follow-Up Email After No Response

Hi [NAME],

I hadn’t heard a reply to my last email so I wanted to check back in to see how the interview process is moving on your end.

Are there any updates you can share regarding the [JOB TITLE] position? I’m still interested in the opportunity, and I look forward to hearing from you when you have any news to share.

Thanks so much,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

Interview Follow-Up Email Combined with a Thank-You Email

Hi [NAME],

Thanks so much for taking the time to meet with me on Thursday to discuss the [JOB TITLE] position. I enjoyed our conversation and the information you shared about [specific topic] was interesting.

I’m following up to see if you have any updates regarding the position now.

I’m excited to hear about the next steps, and the role seems like a great fit for my background based on what I learned! Anything you can share would be great.

Thanks so much,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

Brief with Some Tidbits

Subject: [Job Title] Interview Status

Email:

Mrs. Jane Doe,

I wanted to follow-up and request a status update on the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] that I interviewed for on [interview date]. I feel my skills would be an excellent fit, particularly for the handling [project, responsibility, or duty mentioned during the interview].

If you would like more information about my experience in [job area] or need assistance contacting my references, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you for your consideration, and I genuinely look forward to hearing back from you regarding the position.

Best Regards,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

Useful Tips

What Else to Do While Waiting for Interview Feedback

  • Keep in mind that delays happen and the hiring process takes time.
  • The best thing for you to do while waiting for a status update is to apply for more jobs and try to get more interviews scheduled. You shouldn’t stop doing this until you’ve signed a job offer!

Employer Says They Don’t Have Any Feedback Yet

In some cases, the hiring manager or recruiter will reply to your follow-up email and say they’re still in the middle of the hiring process and don’t have information about the next steps yet.

You should respond with a brief email to keep the conversation alive and ensure that you stay in touch.

Template

Hello [NAME],

Thank you for the information.

When would be an appropriate time for me to check back in?

I’m excited about the opportunity and want to stay in touch, but I know these things take time so I don’t want to follow up too often here.

Any information that you can share about the process would be great.

Thank you,

[YOUR NAME]

The Company Hasn’t Responded to Multiple Emails After the Interview

  • Make sure you’ve waited one or two days for a response to your most recent email (not counting weekends).
  • Send a follow-up to the same person, replying to the same email you already sent and keeping the same email subject line.

Template

Hi [NAME],

I just wanted to follow up again, make sure you saw my last email, and ask whether you have any status updates regarding the [JOB TITLE] position that I interviewed for on [DATE]. I’m looking forward to hearing back about potential next steps when you have a chance. Thank you so much!

Thank you,

[YOUR NAME]

Be patient if you still haven’t gotten a response

  • There’s a chance that an important person in the hiring process is on vacation, or that the person you’ve been emailing is extremely busy, sick, etc.

    $\rightarrow$ Waiting a minimum of 48-72 hours at this point, and in some cases, a full week is better to wait.

  • Try to focus on other tasks in your job search while waiting to ask for an update again.

  • Pick the next logical person in the company to email.

How to Follow up after an Interview if You Have Been Rejected

Be POSIVITE! 💪

  • Do NOT worry about it and treat it as a learning experience. Improve in next time!
  • Do NOT be negative, frustrated, or angry in any way.
  • Always reply but be positive
    • Respect their decision not to hire you. Also understand you weren’t the right person for their organization at that particular time.
    • Demonstrate to them that they have missed out thay you are a professional and mature person

Template

Dear sir/madam,

Thank you for your email informing me of your decision. Whilst I am disappointed, I understand I am not currently the right person for your organization.

However, if you change your mind, or if the person you have chosen does not work out, please do not hesitate to get back in touch with me because I would genuinely still love to work for your organization.

On a final note, please would you provide me with some feedback as to how I can improve for next time?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR MOBILE CONTACT NUMBER]

Reference