How to Follow Up After an Interview Without Being Annoying

You prepared well, your resume was perfect, and the interview felt great. But now, it's been a week and you haven't heard anything back.

Should you email them? Will you look desperate?

Following up is a standard professional practice. Here is exactly when and how to do it without crossing the line.

Always send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Keep it short. Thank them for their time, mention one specific thing you enjoyed discussing, and reaffirm your interest in the role.

If the recruiter told you they would have a decision by Friday, and it is now Monday, it is perfectly fine to check in.

Template: "Hi [Name], I hope you're having a great week. I wanted to follow up on the [Role] position. I'm still very interested and would love to know if there are any updates on the timeline. Let me know if you need any additional information from me."

If another week goes by with no response, send one final, polite message. Assume they are busy, not ignoring you.

Template: "Hi [Name], just floating this to the top of your inbox. I know things can get busy! I'm still very interested in joining the team. If the position has been filled, I completely understand - I just wanted to check in one last time."

If you send the 2-week follow up and receive no response, walk away. Do not message them on LinkedIn, do not call their personal phone. Keep applying to other roles and keep your resume updated for the next opportunity.

For more tips on the job hunt, read our guide on The Best Mock Interview AI Tools to make sure you crush your next screen.