Follow-Up Email After an Interview
Not sure how to follow up? Pick your situation (after applying, a week after an interview with no reply, checking on the timeline, after a rejection, or after a career fair) and get a polite, ready-to-send email with a subject line. Free, no sign-up.
Tone
Your email · edit it below
Anything in [brackets] still needs your details. Changing the form rewrites the email, so finish the form first, then edit.
When and how often to follow up
- After applying: wait 7 to 10 days, then send one short note, ideally to a recruiter or the hiring manager rather than a general inbox.
- After an interview: if they gave you a date, wait one business day past it. If they didn't, wait about a week.
- Send at most two follow-ups, a week apart. After that, move on and keep applying.
- After a rejection, reply in a friendly way and ask for feedback. It keeps the door open for the next opening.
How to use it
- Choose your situation and fill in your name, who you're writing to, the job and the company.
- Add the date and one specific detail if you have them.
- Edit the email, copy the subject and body, and send it at the time suggested below the draft.
How long to wait before following up
After applying: 7 to 10 days. After an interview: if they gave you a decision date, wait one business day past it; if they didn't, about a week. After a career fair: within two days, while they remember you. Send one follow-up, then a second a week later at most. If you hear nothing after two, assume the answer is no for now and keep applying elsewhere.
What makes a follow-up work
Make it short and easy to answer: two or three sentences and one clear question, such as “is there an update on the timeline?”. Keep the original email thread so they can see the history, and keep the tone friendly, never annoyed. If you have a new reason to write (a new project, a certification, another offer with a deadline), say so in one line.
Frequently asked questions
How do I follow up after an interview with no response?
Wait about a week, or a day past the decision date they gave you, then send a short email: thank them again, restate your interest and ask whether there is an update on the timeline. Reply on the same thread.
How many times should I follow up?
Once or twice. A second note a week after the first is fine. More than that comes across as pushy, and silence usually means the process is slow or you are not moving forward.
Should I follow up after being rejected?
Yes, with a short, gracious reply. Thank them, ask for feedback if they are open to it, and ask them to keep you in mind. Candidates who handle a no well are often remembered for the next opening.
Who should I send the follow-up to?
The person who has been your contact: the recruiter for timeline questions, or the hiring manager if you spoke with them. If you do not have a name, use the email address the confirmation or invite came from.
Is it okay to follow up after applying online?
Yes, after about a week. Many applications go unread until a recruiter reviews the batch. A short note to a recruiter or hiring manager, with your resume attached, can move yours to the top.
More free tools
Cover Letter Generator
A tailored cover letter from your resume and the job post.
AI Cover Letter Writer
A fully personal letter written by AI. One free use a day.
Cover Letter Templates
Copy-ready templates for entry-level, internship and more.
Thank-You Email After Interview
Send a specific thank-you within 24 hours.