A follow-up email after an interview does two jobs: it thanks the people you met, and it keeps you on their radar without being pushy. Done well, it takes five minutes. This guide covers when to send each type of follow-up, how long to wait to hear back, and six examples you can adapt. If you haven't had an interview yet, skip to how to follow up on a job application, with two more templates for when you haven't heard back.
When should you send a follow-up email after an interview?
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, then a check-in only after the decision date they gave you has passed. That's the whole rhythm.
| Stage | When to send | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Thank-you email | Same day or next working day | Thank them, reinforce one strength, confirm interest |
| First check-in | After the decision date they gave, or about a week if none | Ask politely for an update |
| Second check-in | About a week after the first, if still nothing | Final polite nudge |
| After an offer elsewhere | As soon as you have a deadline | Let them know your timeline |
| After a rejection | Within a day or two | Thank them, ask for feedback, keep the door open |
These timings are common-sense rules of thumb, not fixed rules. If the recruiter told you something different ("We'll be in touch in three weeks"), follow what they said.
How long should you wait to hear back after an interview?
Wait until the date they gave you, plus a day or two. If they didn't give one, about a week is a reasonable time before checking in.
Hiring often takes longer than candidates expect: other interviews to finish, managers on leave, approvals to sign off. Silence doesn't automatically mean a rejection.
Ask at the end of the interview so you aren't guessing: "What are the next steps, and when do you expect to make a decision?" Then write the answer down.
In Ontario, Canada, there's now a rule on this. For publicly advertised roles, employers with 25 or more employees must tell interviewed applicants whether a hiring decision has been made within 45 days after the interview (or the last interview, if there were several), for interviews from 1 January 2026, according to the Ontario government. Elsewhere, there's usually no legal deadline for employers to reply.
Waiting to hear back? Use the time to sharpen up
Practise on a job simulation of the real work in the role, see where you lost marks, and walk into the next round more prepared. Free to start, no card.
What should a thank-you email after an interview say?
Keep it short: thanks, one specific detail from the conversation, one line on why you're a good fit, and a friendly close.
Checklist:
- A clear subject line ("Thank you: [job title] interview")
- Address the interviewer by name. If you met several people, send each a short, slightly different note, or one note to the main contact that thanks everyone
- Mention something specific you discussed
- One sentence linking your skills to what they need
- Offer anything you promised (a work sample, a reference)
- Under 150 words
Follow-up email after interview examples
Copy and adapt these. Replace everything in square brackets. They're examples, so make the wording your own.
1. Thank-you email (same day or next day)
Subject: Thank you: [Job title] interview Hi [Name], Thank you for speaking with me today about the [job title] role. I enjoyed hearing about [specific project or challenge you discussed], and it made me even more interested in joining the team. Our conversation about [topic] reminded me of when I [one-line relevant example], and I'd love to bring that experience to [company]. Please let me know if you need anything else from me. I look forward to hearing about next steps. Best regards, [Your name] [Phone number]
2. Thank-you email after a panel or several interviews
Subject: Thank you for today Hi [Name], Thank you for organising today's interviews for the [job title] role, and please pass on my thanks to [names]. I especially enjoyed the discussion with [name] about [topic], and the practical exercise gave me a clear picture of the work. I'm very keen on the role and confident I could contribute quickly, particularly on [area]. Do let me know if there's anything else you need. Best wishes, [Your name]
3. Check-in when the decision date has passed
Subject: Following up: [Job title] interview on [date] Hi [Name], I hope you're well. I'm following up on my interview for the [job title] role on [date]. I'm still very interested in the position and wanted to check whether there's any update on the timeline. Thank you again for your time. Kind regards, [Your name]
4. Second and final check-in
Subject: Re: Following up: [Job title] interview Hi [Name], I wanted to check in once more on the [job title] role. I understand these decisions can take time. If the position has been filled or the timeline has changed, I'd be grateful to know either way. I'd still love to be considered for future roles at [company]. Best regards, [Your name]
5. When you have another offer
Subject: [Job title] interview: update on my timeline Hi [Name], Thank you again for the interview on [date]. I've received another offer and have been asked to respond by [date]. [Company] remains my first choice, so I wanted to let you know in case it's possible to share an update before then. I completely understand if the timing doesn't work. Best regards, [Your name]
Only send this if it's true. If you're weighing a counter-offer from your current employer, our guide to counter-offers may help.
6. After a rejection
Subject: Re: [Job title] application Hi [Name], Thank you for letting me know, and for the time you and the team spent with me. I enjoyed learning about [company] and would welcome the chance to be considered for future roles. If you're able to share any feedback on how I could strengthen my application, I'd really appreciate it. Best wishes, [Your name]
How do you follow up on a job application?
Wait about one to two weeks after the closing date (or after you applied, if there wasn't one), then send one short email to the recruiter or hiring manager asking whether your application is still being considered. If there's no reply after another week or so, send one final note, then move on.
Following up on an application is different from following up after an interview. You usually have no contact yet, many applications get an automated reply at most, and large employers often say they'll only contact the people they take forward. So keep expectations low and the message short.
Step by step:
- Check the job ad and any confirmation email first. If they gave a timeline ("We'll review applications after 30 June"), wait until it has passed. If they said "Please don't contact us", don't.
- Check the application portal. Many employers show your status in your candidate account, which answers the question without an email.
- Find the right person. Use the contact named in the ad. If there isn't one, a recruiter at the company on LinkedIn is the next best option. Avoid generic "info@" inboxes.
- Send one short email. Name the role, the date you applied, one line on why you fit, and a polite question about the timeline.
- Attach nothing new unless it helps. A link to your CV or portfolio is fine. Don't resend the whole application.
- Wait another week, then send a final note or move on. Two messages in total is enough.
| Situation | When to follow up |
|---|---|
| Ad had a closing date | One to two weeks after it closes |
| No closing date | About two weeks after you applied |
| You were referred by an employee | About a week after applying; ask your referrer first |
| Recruiter contacted you, then went quiet | About a week after the last message |
| Ad says "no calls or emails" | Don't follow up; check the portal instead |
These timings are rules of thumb. Follow any timeline the employer gives you.
Example: following up on a job application
Subject: [Job title] application: [Your name] Hi [Name], I applied for the [job title] role on [date] and wanted to confirm my application arrived safely. I'm very interested in the position, particularly [one specific thing about the role or team], and I think my experience in [relevant skill or result] would help. Could you let me know where things are in the process, or when I might expect to hear? Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [Your name] [Phone number] | [Link to CV or LinkedIn]
Example: follow-up email when you haven't heard back
Use this a week or so after your first follow-up, or after any stage where they've gone quiet.
Subject: Re: [Job title] application: [Your name] Hi [Name], I'm following up once more on my application for the [job title] role. I know you're likely reviewing many applications, so I'll keep this short: I'm still very interested, and I'd be grateful for any update on the timeline, even if the role has been filled. Thank you, and I hope to hear from you. Best regards, [Your name]
If you've already interviewed and haven't heard back, use example 3 or 4 above instead.
Should you call instead of emailing?
Email first. A call is reasonable for small employers or roles where the ad lists a phone number, but keep it to one call, ask the same simple question, and have a one-line summary of who you are ready.
What if you're applying for lots of jobs?
Keep a simple tracker (role, company, date applied, closing date, contact, date followed up) so you follow up on time and never send the same note twice. If most applications get no reply at all, the problem is usually further up the funnel, in the CV or the roles you're targeting. Our guides on job search strategy and what to do when you can't find a job cover how to fix that.
What should you avoid in an interview follow-up email?
- Chasing too often. Two check-ins after the decision date is plenty.
- Long essays. A follow-up isn't the place to re-answer every question.
- Pressure or guilt. "I really need this job" or "I've been waiting ages" won't help.
- Generic copy-paste. One specific detail shows you were listening.
- Typos in names. Check the spelling of every name and the company.
- Following up on the wrong channel. Email is safest. Use LinkedIn or a phone call only if the recruiter used those first.
What if you still hear nothing?
After two polite check-ins, assume it's a no for now and move on. It may not be personal: roles get paused, filled internally, or were never really live (see ghost jobs).
Keep applying throughout. Don't put your search on hold for one employer, however good the interview felt. Our job search strategy guide shows how to keep several conversations going at once.
How do you use the waiting time well?
Prepare for the next round, at this company or another one.
- Write down the questions you were asked and how you'd answer them better.
- Practise the actual work. Later stages often include a task or case study. You can practise on a job simulation for your target role and get a scored report showing where you lost marks.
- Review common formats such as panel interviews, behavioural questions and a mock interview.
- Prepare role-specific answers with an interview preparation page, for example for a customer success manager, business analyst or product manager.
If you were recently laid off, how to explain being laid off in an interview covers the question you're most likely to face.
FAQs
Is it OK to send a follow-up email after an interview?
Yes. A short thank-you is normal and polite, and one or two check-ins after the decision date are expected.
How soon should I send a thank-you email after an interview?
The same day or the next working day.
How long does it take to hear back after an interview?
It varies by employer and role. Ask at the interview. If no date was given, check in after about a week.
Should I follow up if they said they'd contact me?
Wait until the date they gave has passed, then send one polite check-in.
How long should you wait to follow up on a job application?
About one to two weeks after the closing date, or about two weeks after applying if there wasn't one. Follow any timeline in the ad.
What do you say when you haven't heard back?
Name the role and the date you applied or interviewed, say you're still interested, and ask politely for an update on the timeline. Keep it to a few sentences.
Can I follow up by phone?
You can if the recruiter has been calling you. Otherwise email is easier for them to answer in their own time.
What next
Send your thank-you note today, write down the decision date, and keep preparing. When you want to walk into the next round ready, practise the real work with Cohesyve. Free to start, no card.
Sources
Checked 3 November 2026:
- Government of Ontario: Requirements related to publicly advertised job postings