How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

Following up after an interview is important because it reminds the hiring manager, interviewer, or recruiter about your candidacy. A post-interview follow-up email allows you another opportunity to help your experience stand out and further highlights your desire for the job, which can help you stand out amongst a potentially long list of candidates. A solid follow-up can strongly influence whether you get the job, so it’s important to write an email that is concise, error-free, and polite to bolster your chances of landing the job.

The best time to send a follow-up email to your prospective employer is within 24 hours of your interview. Some companies will provide a time frame for their final decision, but not all of them do. It’s also a good idea to thank the hiring manager for their time and mention a specific area you discussed during the interview in your follow-up email.

If you’re looking to send a thank-you note to a company to help bolster your chances of getting hired, see the steps below:

1. 1. Contact the right person. Make sure the person you’re emailing is the person who was in charge of your interview. Sending the email to the wrong contact or multiple contacts on the same team may come across as unprofessional and count against you in the hiring decision.
2. 2. Create a clear subject line. The subject of your email should detail the contents of the email. Use subject lines like “job interview status” or “interview follow-up” to convey the message.
3. 3. Draft your email. When writing your follow-up email, include the company name, the position you’re interested in, and your interview’s time and date. Include your enthusiasm for the job title you’re after and any additional information that was not discussed during the original interview—but keep it to the point. Explain your wish to check in about your recent interview, and reaffirm your interest in the job. Politely ask when you should expect to receive updates regarding a second interview or hiring decision, and invite the person to ask you any additional questions should they have them.
4. 4. Be polite, positive, and professional. If you want to request further information regarding your interview status, ask politely and remain professional. An initial good impression can be disqualified by a rude follow-up email. Even if the hiring process is taking a long time, it’s important to stay positive and gracious throughout your thank-you letter and remind the hiring manager you’re a quality choice.
5. 5. Proofread. Re-read your email multiple times to ensure it is free of typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Many jobs want to see thorough and careful attention to detail. Proofreading can help you fix easy spelling or writing errors in your follow-up letter that could potentially take you out of consideration for the position.

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