Follow Up Email After Interview - Templates & Examples (2025)

You finished the interview. You think it went well. Now what?

The follow up email isn't just a formality. It's your chance to reinforce your candidacy, address anything you missed, and demonstrate professionalism.

Here's exactly how to write follow up emails that strengthen your position without seeming desperate.

When to Send Your Follow Up Email

Timing matters:

The sweet spot: Send your email the same evening or the next morning. This balances enthusiasm with giving yourself time to write something thoughtful.

The Perfect Follow Up Email Structure

Every effective follow up email has four parts:

1. Thank you (1 sentence)
2. Specific callback to the conversation (2-3 sentences)
3. Reinforce your fit (1-2 sentences)
4. Express continued interest (1 sentence)

Keep it under 150 words. Hiring managers are busy.

Follow Up Email Templates

Template 1: Standard Thank You Email

Use after: Most interviews

Subject: Thank you - [Role Title] Interview

Hi [Interviewer Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Role Title] position.

I especially enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic discussed]. Your point about [specific insight they shared] gave me a clearer picture of the challenges the team is tackling, and I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute.

My experience with [relevant skill/project that connects to what you discussed] aligns well with what you're looking for, and I'm confident I could make an impact quickly.

I'm very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing about next steps.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 2: After a Phone Screen

Use after: Initial recruiter or hiring manager phone calls

Subject: Thank you for the call today

Hi [Name],

Thank you for the call today. I enjoyed learning more about [Company] and the [Role] opportunity.

The team's focus on [something specific they mentioned] sounds like a great fit for my background in [relevant experience]. I'm excited about the possibility of contributing.

Looking forward to the next steps.

Best, [Your Name]

Template 3: After Meeting Multiple Interviewers

Use after: Panel interviews or back-to-back interviews

Send to: Each person individually with personalized content

Subject: Thank you - [Role Title] conversation

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.

I particularly appreciated your perspective on [specific topic THEY discussed—different for each person]. It reinforced my excitement about the opportunity to [contribute in specific way related to their area].

I'm very enthusiastic about the possibility of joining [Company] and contributing to [team/project they mentioned].

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 4: Addressing Something You Missed

Use when: You realize you didn't answer a question well or forgot to mention something important

Subject: Following up on our conversation - [Role Title]

Hi [Name],

Thank you again for the interview today. I've been reflecting on our conversation and wanted to add something to my response about [topic].

When you asked about [question], I mentioned [what you said]. I wanted to expand on that: [additional context, better example, or clarification—keep it brief].

I remain very interested in this opportunity and believe my experience in [relevant area] would translate well to the challenges you described.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 5: Following Up When You Haven't Heard Back

Use when: Past the timeline they gave you

Subject: Following up - [Role Title] Interview

Hi [Name],

I hope you're doing well. I wanted to follow up on our interview on [date] for the [Role Title] position.

I remain very interested in the opportunity and would welcome any updates on the timeline or next steps.

Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 6: After a Final Round Interview

Use after: Last interview before decision

Subject: Thank you - [Role Title] Final Interview

Hi [Name],

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with the team today. After learning more about [specific project or challenge discussed], I'm even more excited about the possibility of joining [Company].

Our conversation reinforced that my experience with [relevant experience] would allow me to contribute quickly, particularly in [specific area they're focused on].

I'm very enthusiastic about this role and confident it's the right next step for my career. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards, [Your Name]

What to Personalize in Your Email

Generic follow ups are forgettable. Make yours specific:

Reference something unique from YOUR conversation:

• A project they mentioned
• A challenge they described
• A question they asked that sparked good discussion
• Something they said that resonated with you

Connect it to YOUR specific value:

• A relevant experience you discussed
• A skill that matches their need
• An insight that shows you understand their situation

Example of generic vs. specific:

❌ Generic: "Thank you for the interview. I'm excited about the opportunity."

✅ Specific: "Thank you for the interview. Your description of the customer onboarding challenges with enterprise clients resonated with me—I faced similar issues at [Company] and would enjoy tackling that problem again."

Common Follow Up Email Mistakes

Mistake 1: Being too generic

If your email could be sent to any company, it's too generic.

Mistake 2: Being too long

Under 150 words. Hiring managers skim.

Mistake 3: Desperation signals

Avoid phrases like "I really need this job" or excessive enthusiasm.

Mistake 4: Typos or wrong names

Proofread carefully. Triple-check names and company.

Mistake 5: Asking about salary or benefits

Save these questions for after they extend an offer.

Mistake 6: Following up too frequently

One thank you + one follow up (if needed) is appropriate. More than that is pushy.

What If You Interviewed With Multiple People?

Send individual emails to each person.

Why:

• Interviewers often compare notes—identical emails look lazy
• Each person focused on different aspects; address what THEY care about
• It demonstrates attention to detail

If you don't have everyone's email, reply to whoever scheduled the interview and ask for contact information, or connect on LinkedIn with a brief message.

Should You Send a Handwritten Note?

In most industries, email is expected and sufficient. Handwritten notes can work for:

• Traditional industries (law, finance, some corporate roles)
• Roles where personal touch matters (sales, client-facing)
• When you want to stand out in a very competitive process

If you send a handwritten note, still send an email first for timeliness.

Following Up When You Don't Hear Back

Scenario 1: They gave you a timeline Wait until that date + 1 business day, then send a brief follow up.

Scenario 2: No timeline given Wait 5-7 business days before following up.

Scenario 3: Still no response after first follow up Wait another week. Send one final email. If no response, move on mentally while staying open to hearing back.

The follow up email (after silence):

Hi [Name],

I wanted to check in on the [Role Title] position. I understand timelines can shift and wanted to express my continued interest.

If the role has been filled or the search is on hold, I'd appreciate a quick update so I can adjust my job search accordingly.

Thanks for your time.

The Email Won't Save a Bad Interview

Let's be honest: a great follow up email won't rescue an interview that went poorly.

But for interviews that went well, the follow up email:

• Keeps you top of mind
• Reinforces your professionalism
• Gives you a chance to add context you missed
• Differentiates you from candidates who don't follow up

The interview itself is what matters most. If you want to nail the interview so your follow up is just icing on the cake:

Practice interview questions with Revarta →