The job market right now is tough. Over half of workers are planning to look for a new job in 2025. Imagine the competition. On top of that, employer ghosting is becoming more common, with 61% of U.S. job seekers reporting they were ghosted after a job interview.
In such a competitive and uncertain environment, a professional, sweet follow-up email can help you stand out. But how do you create one? Below, you'll find sample templates and tips on creating an email that leaves a positive impression on your potential employer.
Should you send a follow-up email after interview?
An interview follow-up email is a message sent through email after a job interview to thank the interviewer, show interest in the role, and highlight qualifications.
The answer to whether you need to send a follow-up email after interview is YES, as this shows professionalism and keeps you in the employer's mind. One study revealed that 80 percent of HR managers expect job candidates to follow up on their applications.
With this in mind, sending a follow-up email can give you an edge over other candidates. Remember that a well-written message may influence the hiring decision, so be sure to send one.
What to include in an interview follow up email?
Before writing an interview follow-up email, there are things to keep in mind to make your message professional, clear, and impactful. Here are some of them to include in your email:
1. Right subject line
A professional and concise subject line is the key to ensuring your email gets noticed and read by the hiring manager. Examples: "Follow Up After Second Interview - [Your Name]" or "Follow Up on the [Job Title] Interview." Avoid generic subject lines like "Checking In" or "Hello," which could get overlooked.
2. A thank-you opening and proper salutation
After the subject line, start the message right away with a polite salutation, such as "Dear [Interviewer's Name]," and express gratitude for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the role and company.
For example, "Dear Mr. Smith, thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the sales associate position and share insights about your team's goals."
3. A connection to the interview
A personal touch can make a difference when following up after an interview. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were actively listening and to help the interviewer remember your discussion. For example: "I enjoyed our conversation about the team's upcoming project on [specific topic]" or "I was interested in how the company plans to expand into [specific area]."
4. What sets you apart
Briefly restate your interest in the position and mention a key strength or experience that makes you a good fit. Link your skills to a need discussed in the interview. For example: "My experience in [specific skill] aligns with the need to [address a challenge mentioned]" or "My background in [relevant experience] will help me contribute to the team's success from day one."
5. A polite closing
End your email by offering to provide any additional information. This shows you are still interested in the role. A simple closing like "I look forward to hearing from you" is professional. Add your signature and contact information or phone number below your name.
Interview follow up email template examples
Now that you know what to include in an interview follow-up email, here are a few examples in both professional and informal styles, depending on the situation.
Detailed and professional
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Example 1
Subject: Follow Up on Social Media Manager Interview
Dear Ms. Lopez,
Thank you very much for your time during the interview process yesterday. It was great to learn more about the Social Media Manager role and your team's goals. I want to express my continued interest in this position and believe my skills are a strong match.
I especially enjoyed hearing about your plans to grow on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. I've been thinking about how my experience with social media campaigns could help with these efforts.
In my last role, I led a campaign that increased follower engagement by 45% in four months by using audience insights and influencer partnerships. I'm confident I can bring similar success to your team.
Please let me know if you need any more information.
Thank you again,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
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Example 2
Subject: Follow Up on Virtual Assistant Phone Interview
Dear Mr. Kim,
Thank you for the phone interview last week. I greatly appreciated the chance to discuss the Virtual Assistant role and learn about your company.
I understand you need someone organized and able to handle multiple tasks like scheduling and client communication. I'm confident my skills fit well with these needs.
In my previous job, I managed scheduling and email for a busy executive, which improved office efficiency. I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the hiring process and can provide any extra information you need.
Thanks again for this opportunity.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
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Example 3
Subject: Follow Up - IT Specialist Interview Two Weeks Ago
Dear Ms. Johnson,
It has been two weeks since our interview, and I wanted to follow up. I am still actively looking for a job but remain very interested in the IT Specialist position.
Our talk about improving network security was helpful. In my last job, I helped reduce security breaches by 30% through monitoring and training. I believe my experience will help your IT team.
Please let me know if you need any more information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
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Example 4
Subject: Follow Up Regarding Interview on [Interview Date]
Dear Ms. Martinez,
Thank you for meeting with me on [Interview Date] to discuss the Marketing Coordinator position. It was a pleasure learning more about your team's digital campaigns and upcoming product launches. I appreciated the chance to better understand the role and how I might contribute.
I wanted to offer any further information you might need as you move forward to hearing about the next steps. Our conversation about increasing social media engagement through targeted content was very insightful, and I believe my background in content creation and data analysis aligns well with your goals.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need additional details.
Thank you again for the opportunity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
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Example 5
Subject: Follow Up on Recent Interview and Application Status
Dear Mr. Davis,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me during my recent interview for the Customer Service Representative role. I enjoyed learning about your company culture, especially your focus on teamwork and customer satisfaction, which strongly aligns with my professional values.
I wanted to check in and ask for a status update on my application as I continue my job search. If you require any additional information from me, I would be happy to provide it. I remain very interested in this opportunity and am eager to contribute to your team's success.
Thank you again for considering my application.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Short and informal
-
Example 1
Subject: Follow Up on Social Media Manager Interview
Hi Ms. Lopez,
Thank you for speaking with me yesterday about the Social Media Manager role. I'm very interested in joining your team and contributing to your social media growth.
Please let me know if you need any further information.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
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Example 2
Subject: Follow Up on Virtual Assistant Interview
Hi Mr. Kim,
Thank you for the phone interview last week. I appreciated learning more about the Virtual Assistant position and am confident my skills are a good fit.
I look forward to hearing about the next steps. Please let me know if I can provide additional details.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Example 3
Subject: Follow Up - IT Specialist Interview
Hi Ms. Johnson,
It's been two weeks since our interview, and I wanted to follow up. I remain very interested in the IT Specialist role and the opportunity to support your network security.
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
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Example 4
Subject: Follow Up on Marketing Coordinator Interview
Hi Ms. Martinez,
Thank you for meeting with me on August 5 to discuss the Marketing Coordinator role. I'm happy to provide any further information as you move forward.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
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Example 5
Subject: Follow Up on Customer Service Interview
Hi Mr. Davis,
Thank you for the recent interview. I enjoyed learning about your company culture and remain interested in the Customer Service Representative role.
Please let me know if you need any additional information or updates on my application.
Best,
[Your Name]
Tips for sending interview follow-up emails
There's no strict template for follow-up emails, but there are important things to consider when following up after your interview.
Here are some tips for sending an effective follow-up email after interview:
- Send your follow-up email about a week after the interview if you haven't heard back.
- Keep your message short. Remind them who you are and mention the interview or job.
- Show your interest in the job and the company. Mention skills or experience that fit.
- Add any extra info or documents if they asked or if it helps.
- Ask politely about next steps or the hiring timeline if it wasn't already discussed.
- Use a clear, professional subject line that shows what the email is about.
- Check your email for mistakes and keep it polite and confident.
- Don't send follow-ups too often. Wait about a week between messages.
What to avoid in follow-up emails
A good impression is critical to keeping your candidacy strong. In case you say something that was not meant to be taken the wrong way, chances are it could harm your chances of moving forward.
Here are some things to avoid in follow-up interview emails:
- Avoid following up too soon or sending multiple emails in quick succession.
- Avoid writing long emails that overwhelm or seem desperate.
- Avoid using slang, emojis, jokes, or any informal language.
- Avoid pressuring the interviewer for a quick decision or sounding impatient.
- Avoid vague or unclear subject lines that don't explain the email's purpose.
- Avoid typos, spelling errors, and poor grammar; always proofread before sending.
Hiring managers appreciate interview follow-up and thank you emails, yet many candidates skip this important step. Use your email follow-up as your advantage among other candidates. Remember the tips shared above and customize the examples to fit your style. Always be genuine and confident in your message.