Job hunting feels frantic and slow at the same time. You apply to jobs excitedly, then play the waiting game for an interview. The adrenaline rush of the interview can quickly fade, but you don’t have to sit back and wait for a response.
Learn how to craft the perfect follow-up email after the interview. This approach puts more power in your hands because you’re asserting yourself as someone who wants the job and will check up to see if the hiring manager has made a decision.
- How Long Should You Wait After an Interview To Follow Up?
- Do Employers Like Follow Up Emails After Interviews?
- Should You Follow Up After an Interview?
- How Do You Follow Up After an Interview if You Haven’t Heard Back?
- How To Write a Follow-Up Email After Interviews With No Response
- How To Write a Second Follow Up Email After an Interview
- What To Do if No Response After an Interview
- Wrapping Up
How Long Should You Wait After an Interview To Follow Up?
It’s best to send a follow up email as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. This quick reply shows the hiring manager you’re passionate about the position. It also increases the likelihood that the interviewer will remember you and can give your resume another look.
Is It Okay To Follow Up 3 Days After an Interview?
You can follow up three days after an interview, but it’s not ideal. The hiring manager might think you forgot about the position because you didn’t care enough to touch base earlier. They might not remember you from all the other candidates they interviewed since you.
Is 4 Days Too Soon To Follow Up After an Interview?
No, four days isn’t too soon to follow up. In fact, it’s almost too long. You’ve waited for almost an entire workweek, so the interviewer might not even remember who you are. Your email could get lost in the shuffle.
Do Employers Like Follow Up Emails After Interviews?
Yes, employers like follow up emails and may see it as common interview etiquette. You’re thanking them for their time and expressing your interest in the position.
You don’t need to waste their time sending a long message—just write something short and sweet to ensure you stay in their mind.
Should You Follow Up After an Interview?
Yes, you should follow up after an interview for several reasons. You want a chance to ask anything you forgot about while showing your interest in the position. You can also use this message as a professional thank you note to the employer.
Why Send a Follow-Up Emails After Interviews
Following up after an interview is a crucial step to ensure you’re not forgotten. The interviewer sees several people in one day, and sending a note can make the difference between getting a job and never hearing from the company again.
Ask Questions You Didn’t Get To Ask
There are many types of interviews, and almost all are stressful. You might be in front of a single interviewer or a panel of managers.
Regardless of the interview style, you most likely think of several questions as soon as you leave the room. Sending a follow up email is a way to ask these questions while keeping your name in the interviewer’s mind.
Asking questions after the interview shows that you’re still thinking about the job. You want more information to consider this a job you want, and the interviewer will appreciate you seeking those details.
Show Your Interest
Even if you don’t have any questions to ask, sending an email shows your interest. Instead of leaving the premise and ghosting the company, you’re reaching out with a short note.
Sending an email can make the difference between an interviewer knowing you want this job and them thinking you have other options on your plate.
Thank the Interviewer
A quick email is a great way to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. It’s polite and professional, and the hiring manager might realize that this shows how your personality is the right fit for the company.
Show Your Professionalism
You might leave an interview and know the job isn’t right. In that case, it’s still worth sending an email. You can thank the interviewer for their time and come across as professional.
If a more relevant position opens up, you can confidently apply to the same company and know you haven’t burned any bridges.
How Do You Follow Up After an Interview if You Haven’t Heard Back?
Some hiring managers get back to applicants quickly because they already know their decision. If you haven’t heard back in a few days, you might wonder what’s going on with the hiring process.
Consider the signs an interview went well and be honest with yourself—do you think you’re still in the running for the job? Following up can give you a more concrete answer.
How Do You Politely Follow Up After an Interview?
Staying polite and professional is key when you follow up after an interview. There are two approaches you can take, so consider your next step.
Write an Email
An email is a quick way to send a message to an interviewer and let them know you’re still interested in the position. They can get to the email when they have a chance.
The plus side of this approach is that they can easily pull up your documentation and remember you.
Call
Sometimes waiting for an email reply is excruciating, so you prefer to call. Know that some interviewers don’t have time to take calls because they’re so busy.
You might have to leave a voicemail, so have a message rehearsed. If you don’t get them on the phone initially, you’ll still have to wait for a reply, so an email is usually the safest bet.
How To Write a Follow-Up Email After Interviews With No Response
Knowing how to write a strong follow up email after an interview can set you apart from other applicants. Check out these tips and timelines to check in about the hiring status.
Short and Sweet Follow Up Email After Interview
Send a quick message soon after your interview. Thank the interviewer for their time, and ask any questions that come to mind once you leave. Be polite and professional to ensure you stand out in the hiring manager’s mind.
Interview Follow Up Email After a Week
You might not hear anything back after your interview. Wait a week, and then send another email.
No reply doesn’t mean a rejection because the hiring manager gets tons of emails, so yours might have fallen through the cracks. Politely inquire about any updates regarding the hiring process.
Interview Follow Up Email After Two Weeks
You might think sending another email after two weeks is overkill, but it’s the best way to cover your bases. Stay polite and professional, and reference something from the interview that will jog their memory. The hiring process can take time, so be patient.
Follow Up Email After Interview Subject Line
Here are a few ideas for attention-grabbing subject lines for your follow up email:
- Enjoyed meeting with you
- Following up on the position
- Thank you for your time
- Thanks for the opportunity
How To Write a Second Follow Up Email After an Interview
Your second follow up email needs to be as polite and professional as your first. You don’t want the hiring manager to feel hounded by your messages. Always err on the side of caution, assuming your email went to spam or they’ve been too busy to reply.
With that in mind, a concise message asking for updates on the hiring process is ideal. Mention the specific role and how you’re still interested. You can also say that you’ve checked their websites for updates but wanted to reach out personally.
This second inquiry could make a difference in the hiring process or make the company keep you in the running for similar positions.
What To Do if No Response After an Interview
If you don’t get a response after an interview and follow up emails, you might not know how to move forward.
- Assume You Didn’t Get the Position: You won’t always get a rejection letter if you’re not hired for a job. Instead of waiting around for months, it’s best to assume you didn’t get the position after a couple of weeks.
- Interview With Other Companies: Don’t let this obstacle stand in your way. Keep sending your resume and interview with other companies that contact you. Even if you felt excited about the initial job, there are plenty of positions out there that suit your skills.
Wrapping Up
You’ve learned why and how to send a follow up email after an interview. Politely and professionally inquiring about the status of the hiring process can help you stand out in the potential employer’s mind.
You’ll also prevent time spent waiting around when you could interview for other jobs and accept a different offer.
If you have any questions about sending follow up emails, leave a comment below. We want to help you find the best position, and tips like this one are what help you stand out and stay on track during your job hunt.
