How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

Following up after an interview is one of the few parts of job searching that's almost entirely in your control — and one of the most commonly skipped or botched.

Send a thank-you within 24 hours

Short, specific, and to the point beats long and generic. Reference something particular from the conversation — a detail about the team, a question you found interesting — rather than a templated 'thank you for your time.' It signals you were actually paying attention.

If they gave you a timeline, wait for it

If a recruiter says 'we'll be in touch by Friday,' don't follow up on Wednesday. Respect the timeline they gave you — it's usually accurate, and following up early reads as impatience rather than enthusiasm.

Once the timeline passes, a short nudge is fine

A brief, low-pressure check-in a few days after a stated deadline is normal and expected, not pushy. Something like:

Hi [name] — following up on our conversation last week about the [role] position. I know timelines can shift, but wanted to check if there's an update, and reiterate that I'm still very interested.

If it's been silent for two+ weeks

One more attempt is reasonable, then let it go. Continuing to follow up past this point rarely changes the outcome — silence for this long is usually itself the answer, even when no one says so directly:

Hi [name] — checking in once more on the [role] position. If the role's been filled or priorities have shifted, no worries at all — just let me know either way. Otherwise, happy to answer any further questions.

What not to do

Don't follow up on multiple channels at once (email and LinkedIn and a phone call), and don't let frustration show through in the message. A follow-up that reads as anxious or entitled can undo the impression you made in the room.