We’ve all been there. You dress your best, ask all the right questions, and even fit in a few charming jokes. You nailed that interview, right? A few days pass and you haven’t heard back. Is it safe to follow up?
While some job interview follow-ups can help solidify your good impression and put you one step ahead, you have to be careful not to overdo it.
Here’s a quick guide to how to follow up after an interview if you haven’t heard back.
How to follow-up: Find out the next steps right away (before the job interview is over)
Your initial follow-up can happen before your interview has even ended. After questions are over and you’re about to head out the door, be sure to ask your interviewer if there are any next steps in the meantime.
Not only will this convey that you’re prepared to go the extra mile, but it’s also a great chance to learn their timeline for hiring. When you start to worry about not hearing back, you’ll at least have a frame of reference for when the next round of decisions are being made.
Read more: The Complete Guide to Getting a Job
How to follow-up: Send a short thank-you note a few days later
How long should you wait before sending a follow-up after an interview?
Three to five business days is a good amount of time to wait before sending a follow-up thank-you note.
Email, snail mail, carrier pigeons (okay, maybe not the last one, but what an impression that would make)—sending a note a few days after your interview is a great follow up method. Not only does circling back leave you fresh in the mind of the interviewers, but it can also set you apart from other applicants. Plus, an email or note keeps things casual and doesn’t demand a response like a phone call.
Be sure to keep the email brief and show you’re still interested in the job, but don’t hound them for a reply. Reaffirm your excitement, ask for a quick update, and finish it off with a thank you.
Example of an interview follow-up note
[Interviewer’s name],
Thanks for taking the time to talk with me on Tuesday. I felt challenged and stimulated by the conversation—it gave me a lot to think about and chew on. I like what you're doing with the company, and I'm absolutely game to keep the conversation going.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Bonus tip: Emails are all about the subject line. Try something like Re: Interview on Monday at 2PM or Quick question about Thursday’s conversation. Both subjects are eye-catching enough to give you a shot at a quick reply.
Read more: 12 Questions You Should Be Asking Recruiters
How NOT to follow-up: Send a full Edible Arrangement the day after
Sending a thank you is a great idea...but don’t go overboard.
Maybe sending a full Edible Arrangement is a bit of a stretch, but think of it as a metaphor. Don’t make your interviewers feel pressured to make you an offer or give you a firm final date through what you say in your note. Ask for a little bit of information, but keep it light and casual.
Read more: Ask These Questions Before Accepting a Job Offer
How to follow-up: Check back in for a final word
When you have not yet heard back after the interview, getting impatient or frustrated is an easy state of mind to fall into—be careful to not let that come across in your correspondence. After all, the hiring process takes time, and it may take a week or two to get through interviews and make decisions.
For your last post-interview follow-up, include a note saying that you’ve been eager to hear back, and ask if the decision has been finalized yet. If they gave you a timeline for their final decision, feel free to mention it here. But, again, keep things light and positive—you never know when you might need to network with people in the company in the future.
Read more: Answers to "Do You Want to Tell Us Anything Else About You?"
Example of a final follow-up note when you haven't heard back
[Interviewer’s name],
I’m following up to get a pulse on your search for a [job title].
I’m still interested in the position. I see so much potential in what I can bring to this role. [Add some specific examples here.]
I hope we can continue the conversation together.
Best,
[Your Name]
How NOT to follow-up: Check back in...every single day
Waiting a week or two to hear back can be interminable, and it wears on even the most patient people. It’s tempting to send an email every few days or twice a week while you’re in interview limbo—but don’t.
Every follow up email you send decreases the chances of it actually being opened, and you won’t look good after the third or fourth. You want them to be filled with pleasant sentiments for you, not overbearing emails. In the end, the rest of the process is out of your control, so have a little peace of mind in that.
Read more: Apologies for the Delay: What to Say When Your Email Is Late
Bonus: How often should you be following up—and how do you know when to stop?
A good rule of thumb when following up after an interview is the 3x3 rule. You can follow up every three days a maximum of three times. If you still haven't heard anything, it may be time to move on.
Of course, if the recruiter or hiring manager at the company tells you that it will be a week before you hear back—don't follow up three times in that week. If they haven't reached out by the end of that week, then you can begin the 3x3 rule.
Read more: 93 Questions to Ask in an Interview That Will Actually Tell You About the Job
