So, you nailed the interview (or at least survived it), and now you’re playing the waiting game. But here’s the thing—what you do after the interview can be just as important as what you said during it. A thoughtful follow-up email can keep you on the hiring manager’s radar, reinforce your enthusiasm, and even help clear up anything you wish you had said differently.

But how do you follow up without coming across as pushy or desperate? Let’s break it down.

1. Timing is Everything

Send it within 24 hours You want to stay fresh in their mind, so aim to send your follow-up email within 24 hours of your interview. This is the perfect window to express appreciation and reaffirm your interest while the conversation is still recent.

Don’t overdo it One well-crafted follow-up email is usually enough. If they mentioned a specific timeline for making a decision, respect that. If you don’t hear back within a week (or beyond the timeframe they provided), you can send a gentle check-in email.

If you don’t hear back, wait at least a week before sending a follow-up If the interviewer didn’t give you a timeline, a follow-up a week later is totally reasonable. Just keep it short and polite—something along the lines of:

“Hi [Interviewer's Name], I wanted to check in and see if there are any updates on the [Job Title] position. I’m still very excited about the opportunity and would love to know if there are any next steps. Thanks again for your time!”

2. What to Say in Your Email

A great follow-up email should be short, personal, and professional. Here’s what to include:

• A thank-you: Express gratitude for their time and the chance to learn more about the role.

• Reiterate your interest: Remind them why you’re excited about the job and why you’d be a great fit.

• Mention something specific: Reference a part of your conversation to make your email more memorable.

• Ask about next steps (politely): A simple “I’d love to hear about the next steps in the hiring process” keeps it professional without sounding pushy.

3. Example Follow-Up Email

Subject: Thank You – [Your Name] Interview for [Job Title]

Dear [Interviewer's Name],

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the [Job Title] position. I really enjoyed our conversation, especially when we talked about [mention a specific topic from the interview]. It made me even more excited about the opportunity to join [Company Name].

I truly believe my [mention relevant skills or experience] make me a great fit for this role, and I’d love the chance to contribute to your team.

Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Looking forward to hearing about the next steps!

Best, [Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

4. Extra Tips to Make Your Follow-Up Stand Out

✔ Proofread before hitting send – Typos in a follow-up email can make you look careless. Give it a quick double-check before you send it.

✔ Personalize it – If you interviewed with multiple people, try to send a slightly different email to each person, referencing something specific from your conversation.

✔ Don’t sound desperate – You want to come across as confident, not like you’re begging for the job. Keep it cool and professional.

✔ Be mindful of multiple follow-ups – If you don’t hear back after your second email, it’s best to move on and focus on other opportunities.

✔ Consider connecting on LinkedIn – If it feels appropriate, send a connection request with a short thank-you message. Just don’t use it as another way to follow up about the job.

Final Thoughts

Following up after an interview doesn’t have to be stressful. A simple, well-timed email shows professionalism and keeps you in the running without being annoying. Just keep it short, polite, and personal. And remember—if this job doesn’t work out, the right one will come along.

Have you ever struggled with following up after an interview? Drop your experiences in the comments!