After an interview, it is normal to wonder whether you should send a message, when to chase and what to say. A good follow-up can remind the employer that you are still interested, but a badly timed or pushy message can have the opposite effect.
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Should you follow up after a job interview?
Yes, in many cases it is sensible to follow up after a job interview. A short thank-you message can help you appear professional and genuinely interested in the role.
However, following up should not mean chasing repeatedly or demanding a decision. The aim is to be polite, helpful and easy to respond to.
A good follow-up can show:
- You appreciated the interviewer’s time
- You are still interested in the role
- You communicate professionally
- You are organised and proactive
- You understand there is a hiring process
When should you send a thank-you message?
If you want to send a thank-you message, send it the same day or the next working day. It should be short and natural. You do not need to write a long speech or repeat your whole application.
A thank-you message works best when it is simple:
- Thank the interviewer for their time
- Mention the role
- Say you enjoyed learning more about the opportunity
- Confirm that you are still interested
Example thank-you message
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the role. I enjoyed learning more about the position and the team. I am still very interested in the opportunity and look forward to hearing about the next steps.
When should you chase after an interview?
If the employer gave you a timescale, wait until that timescale has passed before chasing. For example, if they said you would hear back by Friday, do not chase on Wednesday. Wait until after Friday or the next working day.
If they did not give you a timescale, it is usually reasonable to wait around five working days before sending a polite follow-up.
As a simple guide:
- Same day or next day: optional thank-you message
- After the promised reply date: polite follow-up
- No timescale given: wait around five working days
- After one follow-up: give them more time before chasing again
Example follow-up email after an interview
Your follow-up email should be short, polite and easy to answer. You do not need to sound desperate or overly formal.
Example follow-up email
Subject: Follow-up after interview for [Job Title]
Hello [Name],
I hope you are well. I wanted to politely follow up after my interview for the [Job Title] role. I enjoyed learning more about the position and I am still very interested in the opportunity.
I wondered if there were any updates on the next steps?
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Example follow-up message if you were told a decision date
If the employer gave you a clear date and that date has passed, you can mention it politely without sounding annoyed.
Example message
Hello [Name],
I hope you are well. I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Job Title] role. I remember you mentioned that you were hoping to update candidates by [day/date], so I just wanted to check whether there were any updates when convenient.
I remain very interested in the role and appreciate your time.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Example follow-up after a first job interview
If you are applying for your first job, keep your message simple and respectful. You do not need to over-explain or apologise for being new to interviews.
Example message
Hello [Name],
Thank you again for speaking with me about the [Job Title] role. I enjoyed learning more about the job and what the team is looking for. I am still very interested in the opportunity and would be grateful for any update when available.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Example follow-up after an entry-level interview
For entry-level jobs, it can help to show enthusiasm and willingness to learn, but keep it professional.
Example message
Hello [Name],
I hope you are well. I wanted to thank you for the interview for the [Job Title] role. I enjoyed hearing more about the position, especially the training and day-to-day responsibilities. I am still very interested and would welcome the chance to learn and contribute to the team.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Example follow-up after an apprenticeship interview
For apprenticeships, mention your interest in both the work and the learning opportunity.
Example message
Hello [Name],
Thank you for speaking with me about the apprenticeship opportunity. I enjoyed learning more about the role, the training and how the apprenticeship is structured. I am still very interested in the opportunity and would be grateful for any update on the next steps when available.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Should you follow up by email, phone or message?
Email is usually the safest option because it gives the employer time to respond when they are available. It also creates a clear written record.
If the employer has been contacting you by text, WhatsApp or a job board message, it may be acceptable to reply through the same channel. Keep the tone professional even if the platform feels casual.
Calling can be appropriate in some situations, especially for local employers, agencies or urgent hiring processes. But if you call, be polite and keep it brief. Do not call repeatedly.
What if you do not have the interviewer’s email?
If you do not have the interviewer’s direct email, you can reply to the original interview invitation, contact the recruiter or use the job board message system if that is how the conversation started.
If you are contacting a general email address, include the role title and your name clearly so the message can be passed to the right person.
Example subject line
Follow-up after interview – [Your Name] – [Job Title]
What if the employer does not reply?
Sometimes employers do not reply quickly. This can be frustrating, especially if you felt the interview went well. A delay does not always mean bad news. Hiring managers may be busy, waiting for other interviews to finish or waiting for approval.
If you have sent one polite follow-up and still have no response, wait a few more working days before deciding whether to send one final message.
At the same time, keep applying for other jobs. Do not pause your whole job search while waiting for one employer.
Example final follow-up message
If you have followed up once and still heard nothing, a final message can help you close the loop professionally.
Example final follow-up
Hello [Name],
I hope you are well. I wanted to follow up once more regarding the [Job Title] role. I remain interested in the opportunity, but I understand you may still be working through the process.
If there are any updates, I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you again for your time.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
What not to say after an interview
Your follow-up message should make you look professional, not impatient or difficult. Avoid anything that sounds angry, demanding or overly emotional.
Avoid messages like:
- “Why have you not replied yet?”
- “I need this job, please tell me now.”
- “I have other offers, so hurry up.”
- “Did I get the job or not?”
- “You said you would reply and you have not.”
- “I keep calling but nobody answers.”
Even if you are frustrated, keep the message calm. Employers may still be considering you, and a poor follow-up can damage a good interview.
How many times should you follow up?
Usually, one thank-you message and one polite follow-up is enough. If the employer still does not respond, you can send one final message after a reasonable gap, but avoid chasing endlessly.
A sensible pattern is:
- Thank-you message after the interview
- Follow-up after the expected response date has passed
- Optional final follow-up several working days later
- Then move on and keep applying elsewhere
Should you keep applying for other jobs?
Yes. Until you have a confirmed job offer, you should keep applying for other suitable roles. An interview is a positive step, but it is not a guarantee.
Continuing your job search helps you avoid putting too much pressure on one result. It also keeps momentum going and may lead to other interviews or offers.
Keep your job search moving
Search live UK jobs on TavaJobs while you wait for interview feedback and next steps.
Final thoughts
Following up after a job interview is a useful way to show professionalism and continued interest. Keep your message short, polite and timed properly.
Thank the employer, confirm your interest and ask about next steps without pressuring them. Then keep your job search moving until you have a confirmed offer.
FAQs
How soon should I follow up after a job interview?
You can send a thank-you message the same day or next working day. For a chase message, wait until the employer’s expected response date has passed, or around five working days if no timescale was given.
Is it annoying to follow up after an interview?
One polite follow-up is usually fine. Repeated messages, daily chasing or demanding a decision can become annoying.
What should I write after an interview?
Thank the interviewer, mention the role, confirm your interest and politely ask about next steps if enough time has passed.
Should I follow up if I think the interview went badly?
Yes, you still can. A polite follow-up may help you leave a better final impression, and you may have performed better than you think.
Should I keep applying for jobs after an interview?
Yes. Keep applying until you have a confirmed offer. This keeps your options open and reduces pressure while waiting for feedback.
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