How to Follow Up After an Interview Without Sounding Desperate
You nailed the interview. Or at least you think you did. But now what?
Do you sit by the phone and wait? Do you send a thank-you email? Do you check in every day until they reply?
Nope, nope, and definitely nope.
Let’s break down how to follow up the right way—so you sound professional, not pushy.
Timing Is Everything
Too soon, and you look impatient. Too late, and you risk getting forgotten.
The sweet spot?
Thank-you email: within 24 hours
Check-in email: 5–7 business days after the interview
That gives them time to finish interviews, gather opinions, and maybe even remember who you are when your message hits their inbox.
Your Thank-You Email: Short, Sincere, Strategic
Yes, it matters. Even if you already said thanks in person.
Here’s a basic format:
Subject: Thank you for the interview
Hi [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. I really enjoyed learning more about the [Job Title] position and the team at [Company Name].
I’m even more excited about the opportunity and how I can contribute—especially [brief mention of something specific from the interview].
Please let me know if you need anything else from me. Looking forward to what’s next.
Best,
[Your Name]
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just professional and personal enough to remind them you’re a great fit.
When (and How) to Follow Up
If you haven’t heard anything after a week, it’s completely okay to check in. Here’s what not to do:
❌ “Just checking in!”
❌ “Hey, haven’t heard from you?”
❌ “Still waiting to hear back…”
Instead, keep it confident and respectful. Like this:
Subject: Following up on our interview
Hi [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you’re having a great week. I wanted to follow up on our conversation about the [Job Title] role. I’m still very interested in the opportunity and just wanted to see if there’s been any movement in the hiring process.
I’d be happy to provide anything else you need.
Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your Name]
You’re showing interest—not chasing. That’s the difference.
What If They Don’t Respond?
Honestly? Sometimes they just won’t. And it’s frustrating.
But silence is also an answer. If a company doesn’t have the decency to respond to your follow-up, that tells you a lot about how they treat people. And that’s not someone you want to work for anyway.
Keep your head up. Keep moving forward. The company that does value you is still out there.
The Takeaway
You don’t need to beg. You don’t need to bug. A solid thank-you note and one well-timed follow-up is more than enough to show you’re interested and professional.