How to Follow Up After a Job Interview (With Templates)
Send a thank you email within 24 hours of the interview. If the interviewer gave no timeline, check on your status five to seven business days later. If you still have not heard back, send one final follow up ten to fourteen days after that, then treat the role as closed. Two follow ups is the usual limit.
Send the thank you note within 24 hours
This is not optional, and it is not just manners. It is your last chance to reinforce the one thing you want the interviewer to remember. Reference something specific from the conversation and restate your strongest proof point in one sentence.
Hi [First name],
Thank you for the conversation today. I enjoyed hearing about [specific thing they mentioned, like a new territory or a product launch].
As we discussed, I closed 118% of a $900K quota last year selling to the same kind of buyer your team sells to, and I'm confident I could ramp quickly on your side. Happy to answer anything else in the meantime.
[Your name]
Check your status five to seven business days later
If the interviewer told you when to expect a decision, wait until a day or two after that date instead of a fixed number of days. If they gave no timeline, five to seven business days is a reasonable gap: long enough that you are not seen as anxious, short enough that you are still fresh in their mind.
Hi [First name],
Hope your week is going well. I wanted to check in on the [Role] search and see where things stand on your end.
Since we spoke, I [one new detail: finished a project, had a relevant conversation, read something about the company]. Still very interested and happy to provide anything else you need.
[Your name]
Send one final follow up ten to fourteen days after that
If there is still no response, send a single, short final note. Keep it brief, add nothing desperate, and give the interviewer an easy, low-pressure way to reply either way.
Hi [First name],
Wanted to follow up one more time on the [Role] position. I understand priorities shift and timelines slip, so no worries either way. If the role is still open and I'm still a fit, I'd love to continue the conversation. If not, I'd appreciate knowing so I can plan accordingly.
Thanks again for the time so far.
[Your name]
The follow up timeline at a glance
| Step | When to send it | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you note | Within 24 hours | One specific detail from the conversation, plus your strongest proof point |
| First status check | 5 to 7 business days later, or the day after any date they gave you | A short, polite check in and one new detail |
| Final follow up | 10 to 14 days after the first check in | One last short note, with an easy out, then move on if there is no reply |
What to do if you still do not hear back
After two follow ups with no response, stop and keep your pipeline moving instead of waiting on one company. See how to follow up after no response to a job application for the earlier-stage version of this same problem, and why you might not be getting interviews if this is a pattern across multiple companies rather than one slow process.
Three mistakes that cost people the offer
- Following up too soon. Reaching out the day after the interview reads as anxious, not eager.
- Sending a vague "just checking in" message. Always add one new, specific detail instead of a content-free bump.
- Giving up after one email. Interview decisions slip for reasons that have nothing to do with you. A second, polite follow up is expected, not pushy.
- Following up on every channel at once. Email, then LinkedIn, then a phone call, all in the same day, feels like pressure rather than interest. Pick one channel and pace yourself.
If the role is in sales or another revenue function, use the follow up as a second chance to show the exact skill the interview was testing: reinforce your strongest number instead of just saying you are "still interested." See questions to ask a hiring manager for how to keep the earlier conversation sharp enough that the follow up has something real to reference.
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Apply freeFAQ
How soon should I send a thank you email after an interview?
Within 24 hours. It is the one follow up message that is never optional, and it is your last chance to reinforce the single point you most want the interviewer to remember.
What if the interviewer gave me a decision date?
Respect it. Wait until a day or two after that date passes before you follow up, rather than following a fixed day count. Following up before their own stated timeline can come across as impatient.
Is it okay to call instead of emailing?
Stick with whatever channel the interview process has used so far, usually email. Calling repeatedly, or mixing email, LinkedIn and phone calls in the same stretch, tends to read as pressure rather than genuine interest.
How many times should I follow up before giving up?
Two follow ups after the interview is the usual limit: one status check around five to seven business days out, then one final note ten to fourteen days after that. If there is still no response, move on and keep other conversations active.
Should a sales candidate follow up differently?
Not in timing, but in content. Use each follow up to add one concrete detail, ideally a number like quota attainment or a deal result, rather than a generic check in. It keeps demonstrating the exact skill the interview was testing.