You interviewed with the hiring manager for your dream position, but you haven’t heard back. Now you’re wondering how and when to write a follow-up email. Don’t worry. We’ll share all of the tips and tricks you’ll need to impress your interviewer and increase your odds of getting the job.
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What Should You Include In A Follow-Up Email?
Your follow-up email should include several essential elements:
A Short, Clear Subject Line
You want your note to get read, so make sure the recipient knows what the point of your email will be before they open it. Keep your subject line short and clear.
Examples include:
- Thank You for Your Time!
- I Enjoyed Our Conversation!
- Job Interview Follow-Up
- (Job Position) Interview Follow-Up
- Example: Marketing Manager Interview Follow-Up
A Formal Greeting
You should kick off your follow-up email with a formal greeting. Potential salutation options include:
- Dear Dr. Jones,
- Dear Ms. Smith,
- Dear Jane,
Pro Tip: Choose your greeting based on the rapport you established with your interviewer during the meeting. For example, if the hiring manager asked you to call them by their first name, use it here.
An Expression of Gratitude and Reiteration of Interest
This is a critical component of your email! Here, you need to show appreciation for your interviewer(s) and restate your interest in the position.
Example:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I really enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about XYZ Corporation. Our conversation deepened my interest in the role, and I’m confident my 25 years of experience would help me be successful in it.
A Reference to the Conversation (and How You’re the Ideal Candidate)
Your follow-up email is a prime opportunity to wow the hiring manager again. It also gives you a chance to highlight key experiences or skills that didn’t get fully addressed during the interview. So, briefly take your interviewer back to your conversation and add new value.
Example:
Join The Break Community
After our meeting, I thought back to our discussion about the company’s high turnover rate. In my current role, I reduced our turnover rate by 30% in one year by improving the employee benefits package. I’ve attached some additional details about the improvements I made — all without a significant increase in cost to the company.
Ask For An Update
Be sure to ask for an update on the status of the hiring process. Explain that you are excited to hear about the next steps.
Example:
I’m following up to see if you have any updates regarding the marketing position that I interviewed for on January 5. I’m excited to learn more about the next steps in your hiring process!
A Succinct Conclusion
It’s time to finish your follow-up email strong — with gratitude and confidence. Here’s what you could say:
Thank you again for interviewing me. If you need anything else to help you make your decision, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
A Professional Sign Off
You should close your follow-up email as you begin it — professionally and respectfully. Consider using one of these options:
- All the best,
- Sincerely,
- Best regards,
Then, include your full name and contact information underneath those words so it’s easy for your recipient to reach you.
Reminder: Be sure to proofread your message before you hit send. You don’t want a typo — or worse yet, using the wrong name — to hurt your chances of landing the job.
When To Send A Follow-Up Email
When you interview, it’s a good practice to ask the hiring manager when you can expect to hear back from them. If they provided a date that you should hear from them, follow up one business day after that date has passed if you have not heard from them.
If they did not provide any feedback on when they would be in touch with you, you can follow up five business days after your job interview.
You should also follow up if you receive another job offer while waiting for an update. Let the hiring manager know that you have another offer but that you’d rather work for them (if that’s the case). If you’re a top candidate, your note could inspire quick action, so the company doesn’t lose you to a competitor.
Who To Send Your Email To
You should send your follow-up email directly to your interviewer. If you met with multiple people, you should send a personalized note to each of them (no cc’ing or bcc’ing allowed!). Taking the extra time to do this demonstrates a high level of professionalism and will impress your recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you wait after an interview to follow up?
You shouldn’t wait to follow up after an interview. Instead, send your initial thank you follow-up email immediately after your meeting. For more information, check out our guide to sending a thank you email after an interview.
Should you follow up after an interview if you haven’t heard back?
You should follow up after an interview if you haven’t heard back, and it’s beyond the deadline to receive an update. Following up before then (besides an initial thank you note post-interview) could annoy your interviewer and make them think you can’t remember details.
What do you say in a follow-up email for a job?
In a follow-up email for a job, you should say thank you, reiterate your interest in the position, talk about why you’re the ideal candidate, and express an eagerness for the next steps in the hiring process.
How do you follow up without being annoying?
You can follow up without being annoying by respecting the recipient’s preferences and being mindful of any established communication timelines. For example, don’t call someone who has stated a preference for email, and don’t follow up on Monday if the deadline for feedback isn’t until Wednesday.
The Bottom Line
You can get a leg up on your competition by sending a thoughtful follow-up email after an interview. Hopefully, you feel more confident in writing an effective note after reading these tips.
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