So, you just finished an interview for your dream job. Congratulations! Most people don’t make it this far.
However, your work is far from over. Sending a short and sweet follow-up email after the interview is imperative.
It allows you to stand out, be more memorable, and increase your chances of getting that job you want so much.
Today, I will be showing you 15 short and sweet follow-up email samples for after your big interview. I’ll also talk a bit about why it’s necessary to send a follow-up, things you should include in your follow-up email, general tips for writing the email, and a lot more!
If you just got off from an interview and are looking for inspiration for your follow-up email, read on — this article is for you.
Did You Know That 80% of Interviews Require a Follow-Up to Get the Job?
Following up after an interview is a crucial step in the job search process. Although it’s common to worry that sending a follow-up email may come across as overly eager or needy, the reality is that it can actually work in your favor.
In fact, sending a follow-up email demonstrates your enthusiasm and interest in the position, showcasing your professionalism and commitment to the role. Here are some key reasons why sending a timely follow-up email after an interview is essential:
- It reiterates your interest in the position
- It shows that you are proactive and serious about the opportunity
- It provides an opportunity to reiterate your qualifications and strengths
- It helps keep you top of mind for the interviewer and hiring manager
By sending a follow-up email, you can increase your chances of landing the job and making a positive impression on the interviewer. So, don’t be afraid to take the initiative and send a follow-up email – it could be the key to standing out from the competition and securing your dream job.
Also Read: Professional Development Goal Examples
The Surprising Reason Short Follow-up Emails Work Better
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In this post, I will be showing you examples of short and sweet email follow-ups only. These emails have only one or two paragraphs each, with just a few lines per paragraph (not more than five).
Sure, you can send longer emails, too. However, remember that recruiters are often pretty busy.
They’re getting emails not only from people like you, who they have already talked to personally, but from new applicants as well. If your email is too long, they might quickly look through it without actually reading it.
Being concise lets you get your point across without taking up too much of their time. It’s professional and thoughtful.
The 3 Essential Elements Your Follow-up Email Should Include (Fix This Now)
So, what should you include in your follow-up email? I’ll give samples of how you can incorporate different pointers into your emails below.
However, here are some general rules you should stick to:
- Thank them: When sending a short and sweet follow-up email, it should serve, first and foremost, as a “Thank You” note. There are many ways to show your appreciation, but a simple “Thank You” usually works just fine; there’s no need to be too fancy.
- Include their name: Always include their name in the greeting.
- Include your signature: At the end, include your signature when signing off.
Here is how your signature might look:
You don’t always have to include all of that. Indeed, including six lines is probably too much; including three lines or so is generally enough.
The exact information you should include will also depend on the industry, the type of interview it was, and so on. For example, you might only include your name, phone number, and email address; or you might include your name, email address, and your professional profile on LinkedIn or another site.
Above all, stay confident!
Taking a confident tone shows that you believe yourself worthy for the job.
Check Out: Best Executive Summary Examples
12 Subject Line Examples That Get Your Emails Opened (Every Time)
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Before I get into the actual email examples, I’m going to first give you some subject line ideas. The reason I’m not including them together with the actual email samples is that you can mix and match any subject line with any email sample.
Here are some subject lines, but feel free to tweak them as necessary according to your situation:
- Thank you for the opportunity!
- Thank you, and a quick followup
- Thanks for the meeting
- A quick note of appreciation
- Thank you, [Name]
- Just following up
- Following up on the interview
- Interview followup
- Some extra thoughts I had
- Following up regarding [job position]
- Thank you for your time
- Followup for [insert your name]
By now, you should get the hang of it. You want to either include some sort of thank you or appreciation in the subject line or simply state that you are following up on the interview; feel free to personalize the subject line with the name of the person you spoke with.
Interview Short & Sweet Follow-up Emails That Work: 14 Samples to Get You Started
Now we’ve arrived at the meat of this article — the actual email examples. It’s important to keep in mind that these are just templates.
Feel free to tweak and customize them based on your industry and the position you applied to. In fact, you’ll likely get better results if you did so; templates can come in handy sometimes, but the following templates are still generic.
I’ve left some room for customization by using brackets to show you where to insert specific ideas, topics, etc. Don’t worry if you’re not a writer — just remember to keep it short and sweet; the more concise you are, the better.
Explore: Top Weaknesses List & Examples
1. Open With A Thank You
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Hi [Name],
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come in today. It was a pleasure speaking with you and learning more about your company and the vision you have for it. I’d love to be a part of your team, and I’m looking forward to hearing back from you.
Thanks,
[Signature]
2. Show How You Are On Board Their Goals
Hi [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. I learned a lot about your company and where you want to take it, and I’d love to be a part of your journey. I believe I’d be a great asset to your team, and I’m looking forward to working with your team to help your company achieve its full potential.
Thanks again,
[Signature]
3. Mention Things You Discussed
Hi [Name],
Thank you for the opportunity to meet your team and the wonderful discussion we had. During the interview, you mentioned [insert topic or project idea here].
I’ve been thinking about that, and I believe I have some ideas about how to take [insert project or topic] to the next level. I’d love to discuss my thoughts with you and see where they go, so please reach out to me and let me know if we can discuss them further.
Kind regards,
[Signature]
Also Read: Sample Linkedin Recommendation Examples
4. Set Yourself Apart
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Hi [Name],
Thanks for inviting me to come in and interview for the position. The conversation was very insightful. You mentioned how you’re looking for someone who can do [insert X task, skill, expertise, etc.].
After giving it some thought, I believe I might be the right one for the job. My years of experience in [insert experience here] have taught me how to [insert memorable skill, insight, etc.]. I’d love to get started as soon as possible, and I’m waiting to hear back from you about your decision.
Yours truly,
[Signature]
5. Answer A Problem
Hi [Name],
I’d like to thank you and show you my appreciation for discussing this position with you. You mentioned that one of the problems your company was facing was [insert X problem here]. After much thought, I believe I have several solutions and ideas to take the company forward. I’d love to run them by you, so let me know if that’s okay.
Take care,
[Signature]
6. Ask For Their Thoughts
Hi [Name],
Thank you for inviting me to meet the team. It was a wonderful day, and our discussion inspired me. When we talked about [X topic], it made me think of something I had read the other day — [insert interesting link here]. I’d love to hear your thoughts about it.
All the best,
[Signature]
7. Offer To Provide More Information
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Hi [Name],
I had a great time talking with you and [insert the name of whoever else interviewed you]. I’m really excited about this position, and I’d love to get started as soon as possible. Let me know if there is any other information you’d like to know to help you with the review process.
Thanks again,
[Signature]
Check Out: Goal vs Objective
8. Show How You Connected
Hi [Name],
Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to meet you and [insert other names here]. In particular, I feel like I really connected with [insert name of one person here], as we both share a similar background and have the same visions and goals. I feel like we’d be great working together. I’m waiting to hear which steps I should take next.
Kind regards,
[Signature]
9. Reaffirm Your Interest
Hi [Name],
Thank you for allowing me to meet with you today [or yesterday, last night, etc.]. I’m just following up to let you know that I’m still super hyped for this position. I feel like it would be a natural position for me, given my previous experience. Furthermore, I’m super excited about what’s ahead, and I’m looking forward to hearing back from you.
All the best,
[Signature]
10. Provide A Reference
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Hi [Name],
Thanks for meeting with me. During the interview, you mentioned you need someone with [insert particular skill here]. I mentioned that I have expertise in that particular matter. I’d like to provide you with some links/references, so you can check out my previous work yourself. [Add some links or contacts here.]
Thanks again,
[Signature]
11. Follow Up After The Second Interview
Hi [Name],
I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me again and discuss the position further. It was great learning more about what you do, what the position entails, and the kind of collaboration you expect from your team.
I’d love to take this a step further, so let me know as soon as you have a decision.
Take care,
[Signature]
12. Follow Up After A Phone Or Zoom Interview
Hi [Name],
It was really great talking to you over the phone/Zoom. I learned a lot, and I appreciate the advice you gave me about [insert topic you talked about]. I’d love to take this a step further and meet you in person.
All the best,
[Signature]
13. Politely Ask For An Update After Several Days Or Weeks
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Hi [Name],
I’m reaching out to follow up on our recent interview on [insert date here] about [insert position here]. It’s been a few days/weeks, and I haven’t yet heard back from you, so I’m following up to see if you’re still interested. I’m still ready and available to get started.
Thanks,
[Signature]
14. Send Regards
Hi [Name],
Thanks for having me on the Zoom call with you and [insert other names here]. I appreciate you taking your time to talk with me, and I’d love to discuss things further. Please send my regards and appreciation to the other members of the team [mention some names, if appropriate].
Kind regards,
[Signature]
When to Send a Follow-up Email for Optimal Results?
The best time to send a follow-up email is within 24 hours of the interview. It’s best not to wait too long.
If you can, send an email the same day. However, that’s not always practical.
If you took the interview in the morning or early afternoon, you can send the follow-up email that same afternoon. However, if you send it too late, it might defeat its purpose.
That’s because if you send it at night, your email might get pushed down in the inbox overnight by other incoming mail. So, if you took the interview at the end of the day or at night, send the follow-up email the following morning, at the start of the workday.
At the same time, it’s never too late to send a follow-up email! If you didn’t send a follow-up email within 24 hours, and it’s been a few days or even a week, don’t despair.
You should still send a follow-up email. Doing something is better than doing nothing!
You’ll need to tweak your follow-up email a bit. Even if you didn’t get a response since the interview, it doesn’t mean they aren’t interested!
Sometimes, especially if it’s a small team (and they’re not that organized), they might have just gotten busy. Sending a follow-up email, even a week later, can help you keep yourself on their radar.
Also, as I explained above, it allows you to add some details that will help you stand out and show your qualifications even more.
Even in more organized companies, mix ups and mistakes happen. That’s why it never hurts to send a follow-up email, even two weeks later.
Here’s something to think about: Ideally, at the end of your interview, you should ask the interviewer something along the lines of, “When can I expect to hear back from you?”
That way, you have a general timeframe for when you can expect a decision. You should still send that initial “Thank You” note within 24 hours, but it will give you the peace of mind of knowing when you can expect an answer.
The Second Follow-up Email Dilemma: Should You Send One or Not?
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Many people wonder if sending a second follow-up email is ever appropriate or a good idea. If you sent a short and sweet follow-up email within 24 hours, and you haven’t heard back, should you send another follow-up?
Again, the answer here is that it never hurts — you have nothing to lose; you can only gain.
When should you send a second follow-up? As a general rule, it’s good to wait at least two weeks before sending a second follow-up.
That’s if you have already sent your first follow-up. If you haven’t, then don’t bother waiting a full two weeks — send your follow-up as soon as possible.
The exception is if you already asked the interviewer when you can expect a reply, and they gave you a timeframe longer than two weeks. In that case, you should wait until the end of the timeframe — and perhaps an extra day or two — until you send your follow-up.
Sending a second follow-up is useful because the position might not have been filled yet, and the company might still be looking for someone who fits the bill. In the worst case, you’ll be doing it for yourself — to give yourself peace of mind, knowing that you tried your best.
Of course, you’ll have to write it a bit differently. Your second follow-up shouldn’t be a short “Thank You” note like the first one; instead, you should use words like:
- Followup
- Clarification
- Update request
- Etc.
You can ask them if they are still considering you, if the position has been filled, if they have any update yet, or if they can give you an estimation for when they’ll have a decision.
You can use one of those questions as your subject line. Or, you can keep your subject line generic, like “Update about [insert job position here].”
Either way, be polite and respectful. You should still keep it short and sweet and include a note of appreciation, though you don’t necessarily have to lead with a “Thank You”.
If you still don’t hear back from the company within a week of your second follow-up, you can assume that they have filled the position, and you won’t be hearing back from them again. While there are always exceptions to this rule, it’s best to use your precious time and energy to pursue other opportunities.
Conclusion: Boosting Your Interview Follow-up Game with These 14 Samples
I hope this post has been useful beyond just providing generic, fill-in-the-blank templates you can use for your follow-up emails.
I recommend using the templates above as inspiration and reading through the article again, so you can understand what makes up a good follow-up email and craft your own.
That way, you will get the best results.
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