How to Follow Up After an Interview (Timing, Templates, and Examples)

The best time to follow up after an interview is within 24-48 hours with a brief thank-you email. If you haven't heard back by the timeline the interviewer gave you, send a polite follow-up asking for an update. 

Many candidates worry that sending a follow-up email might make them look pushy. In reality, a well-timed follow-up is considered professional and is often expected. According to Greenhouse's 2025 Workforce and Hiring Report, nearly two in every three US candidates (63%) were ghosted after a job interview. If you're still waiting for an update, you're far from alone.

Knowing when to follow up, what to say, and how to write the email without sounding desperate can make the whole process much easier. You'll also find ready-to-use email templates for different situations, from a thank-you note to a second follow-up and even a feedback request. 

If your email sounds too blunt or too eager, Phrasly's Formalizer can help you polish the tone before you send it.

Should You Follow Up After an Interview? 

Yes, you should follow up after an interview. A short, polite follow-up shows you're interested, keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind, and lets you mention anything you forgot during the interview.

In fact, it can help you stand out. According to The Interview Guys (2025), 68% of hiring managers say receiving a thank-you email positively impacts their decision-making, yet only 24% of candidates actually send one. That means a simple follow-up can set you apart from most applicants.

That said, a follow-up email isn't a magic fix. If your interview went poorly, it won't completely change the outcome. However, when employers are deciding between equally qualified candidates, a thoughtful follow-up can give you a small but meaningful advantage.

How Long Should You Wait to Follow Up After an Interview?

You should send a thank-you email within 24 hours after your interview. If you don't receive a response, wait about 5-7 business days before sending a polite follow-up email. 

After an early phone screen, it's usually fine to follow up a little sooner. After a final-round interview, giving the employer a few extra days is often the better approach because final decisions usually take longer.

Most importantly, always follow the employer's timeline first. If they gave you a specific date for an update, wait until one business day after that date before sending your follow-up. How to Write a Follow-Up Email After an Interview

Keep your message short, professional, and focused on reminding the interviewer why you're a good fit for the role. Our Message Enhancer guide can help improve your draft while keeping your wording natural.

Write a clear subject line  

Use a clear subject line that includes the job title. Instead of making them guess, mention the job title in the subject line. 

For example: Subject: Following Up on the Marketing Manager Interview

Replace Marketing Manager with the title of the role you interviewed for.

Start with a warm greeting 

After the subject line, start with a warm greeting. If you know the interviewer's name, address them directly. 

For example: Hi Adam, I hope you're doing well. Or Hello Adam, I hope you've been doing well.

Thank the interviewer 

Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview for the role. Mention that you enjoyed the conversation. 

For example: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I really enjoyed our conversation and appreciate the opportunity to interview for the Marketing Manager position.

Restate your interest in the role 

Let the interviewer know that you're still interested in the opportunity without sounding pushy. 

For example: Our conversation reinforced my interest in this role, and I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.

Politely ask for an update 

Politely ask for an update. End your email by asking if there are any updates on the hiring process or the expected timeline. Keep your request polite and avoid sounding demanding. 

For example: I wanted to check if there were any updates on the hiring timeline when you have a chance.

End with a professional sign-off  

End with a professional sign-off. Close your email with a professional sign-off and your full name. Simple closings such as Kind regards, Best regards, or Sincerely work well. 

For example:

Kind regards,

John Smith

Get the tone right  

Avoid sounding too eager. If the tone doesn't feel right, Phrasly's Formalizer can help make it sound professional while keeping your message natural. You can also read our guide on how to make text more professional for additional writing tips. 

Follow-Up Email Templates and Examples 

Use these copy-and-paste email templates for different situations. Replace the placeholders and personalize each email with a detail from your interview. 

Thank-you email (within 24 hours)  

Subject: Thank You, [Job Title] Interview

Hi [Interviewer's Name],

I hope you're doing well.

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I really appreciate the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position. I especially enjoyed our discussion about [specific topic discussed during the interview].

Our conversation made me even more excited about the opportunity, and I believe my skills and experience would allow me to contribute positively to your team.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

 [Your Name]

First follow-up email (no response after about a week)  

Subject: Following Up on the [Job Title] Interview

Hi [Interviewer's Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me last week.

I wanted to follow up regarding my interview for the [Job Title] position. I remain very interested in the opportunity and enjoyed learning more about your team.

I was wondering if there are any updates regarding the hiring process or the next steps. I understand you're likely busy, but I'd appreciate any update when you have a chance.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Follow-up email two weeks after the interview  

Subject: Following Up on the [Job Title] Interview

Hi [Interviewer's Name],

I wanted to check in regarding the [Job Title] position. I wanted to check whether there have been any updates since my interview.

I'm still interested in the opportunity and appreciate your time. If the position has already been filled, I completely understand and would appreciate any update whenever it's convenient.

Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Second follow-up email (1-2 weeks after your first follow-up) 

If it's been 1-2 weeks since your first follow-up, you can send one final email.  

Subject: Final Follow-Up on the [Job Title] Interview

Hi [Interviewer's Name],

I wanted to send one final follow-up regarding the [Job Title] position. I understand you may still be working through the hiring process, so I just wanted to check if there have been any updates.

I'm still interested in the opportunity, but I also understand if you've decided to move forward with another candidate. Either way, I'd appreciate any update when you have the chance.

Thank you again for your time throughout the interview process. I wish you and your team all the best.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

If you don't receive a response after this email, it's usually best to move on and continue applying for other opportunities. Multiple follow-ups beyond this point may come across as pushy. 

Follow-up email to a recruiter  

Subject: Following Up on the [Job Title] Interview

Hi [Recruiter's Name],

I wanted to check in regarding the [Job Title] position. I'm still interested in the opportunity and was wondering if there are any updates on the hiring process.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Note: Personalize every template with a real detail from your interview. A generic copy-paste email is easy for recruiters and hiring managers to recognize. If you're using AI to customize these templates, our guide on how to make AI-written emails sound human shows how to make them feel more personal and authentic. 

Not sure the email sounds like you? Run it through Phrasly's Formalizer to match your voice and the tone the role calls for. 

How to Follow Up Without Sounding Desperate 

You won't sound desperate if you keep your email short, send only one follow-up at each stage, and focus on your interest in the role instead of asking for an immediate response. A polite follow-up is normal and is often appreciated by employers. 

Do's to keep in mind   

• Send only one follow-up at each stage.

• Keep your email under 150 words.

• Show genuine interest in the role.

• Respect the hiring timeline the employer shared.

• Stay polite and professional.

Don'ts to keep in mind 

• Send multiple emails within a few days.

• Demand an immediate response.

• Use emotional or guilty language.

• Sound frustrated or impatient.

• Follow up every day.

A single polite follow-up won't annoy a reasonable employer. In most cases, it simply reminds them that you're genuinely interested in the opportunity. 

How to Ask for Feedback After an Interview 

If you were rejected after an interview, it's perfectly fine to ask for feedback. Just make sure your email stays gracious, respectful, and low-pressure. You can use the following template to request feedback after an interview. 

Feedback request email 

Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity

Hi [Interviewer's Name],

Thank you for letting me know about your decision. Although I'm disappointed that I wasn't selected, I truly appreciate the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position.

If possible, I'd be grateful if you could share any feedback about my interview or application. I value your insights and would appreciate any suggestions that could help me improve in future interviews.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I wish you and your team continued success.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Many companies can't provide detailed feedback because of company policies or legal reasons. If you don't receive a response, don't take it personally. A polite request simply gives you the best chance of getting helpful feedback. 

If you want to revise your feedback request before sending it, Phrasly's Doc Editor can help you edit or rewrite your email while keeping the message clear and professional. 

Why You Might Not Hear Back (and When to Move On) 

Not hearing back after an interview is more common than you might think. The hiring process often takes longer than expected, hiring priorities can change, and employer ghosting is unfortunately common because many companies don't have the time to respond to every candidate personally.

According to Monster's 2026 Application Black Box Report, 55% of job seekers say that receiving no updates or feedback is one of the most frustrating parts of the job search. No response doesn't always mean you performed poorly.

If you've already sent a thank-you email and two polite follow-ups over the course of a few weeks without receiving a response, it's usually best to move on. Keep applying for other opportunities instead of waiting for one company to reply. Treat the position as a "maybe," not a "yes," until you receive a final decision.

A silent employer shouldn't make you question your skills. Keep applying and focus on opportunities that value your time.

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