Follow-up email after an interview
Waiting after an interview is hard, and a polite follow-up email is a normal part of hiring, not a nuisance. The trick is timing and tone: wait until the date you were given has passed, then send a short note that restates your interest and asks about next steps. This page opens the letter tab on a follow-up template that fills in the job, the company and the date.
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Before you press send
- The decision date you were given has passed, or about a week has gone by
- You reply in the same email thread as your thank-you note
- The subject line names the job and the interview date
- The message fits in three short paragraphs
- You restate your interest without sounding anxious
- You offer something useful, such as references
The example letter
Every figure in it is made up. It is already picked in the letter tab above: press Use this example letter, then fill in the gaps in square brackets.
Thank you again for the interview on [date] for the Customer Success Manager role. I wanted to follow up and ask whether there is any news on your decision or on the next steps in the process.
Since we spoke, I have thought more about the work we discussed, and I am still very interested in joining [company]. I would be glad to provide anything else that would help, such as references or a short example of how I would approach the first few months.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
How long to wait
If the interviewer told you when they would decide, wait until that day has passed, then give it one more working day. If they gave no date, about a week after the interview is reasonable. After an application with no interview yet, ten working days is a fair gap. Hiring often slows for holidays, budget sign-off or other candidates' interviews, so silence is not the same as a no.
How many times to follow up
One follow-up is expected, and a second, a week or so later, is still polite. After that, stop and put your energy into other applications. If an answer comes later, it will come to you; three or more chasers in a row tend to stick in a recruiter’s memory for the wrong reason.
Subject line for a follow-up email after an interview
Reuse the thread so the context is attached, or write a subject such as 'Customer Success Manager interview on 12 March: following up'. Open with the date and the role rather than 'Just checking in'. Then one sentence on your interest, one question about timing, and a thank-you.
Still to send your thanks? Write a thank-you email first
Questions
Who should I send the follow-up email to?
The person who has been arranging your interviews, often the recruiter or HR contact. If you only dealt with the hiring manager, send it to them, and copy no one else unless they were part of the conversation.
What if I have another job offer?
Say so plainly and politely: you have an offer with a deadline, this role is still your first choice, and you would value an update by that date. Only write this if it is true; employers sometimes check.
Should I call instead of emailing?
Email first, because it gives the recruiter time to find the answer. A short call is reasonable if your email has had no reply for a week, or if the employer is a small business that does most things by phone.
What if they say I was not selected?
Reply once to thank them for the update and to ask, briefly, whether they can share any feedback. Many will not, but some do, and a gracious reply keeps the door open for future roles.