How To Follow Up with a Recruiter After an Interview (Template and Examples)

You nailed the interview with the hiring manager and have a gut feeling that you might get the job. Days pass, but you haven’t heard back from the company yet. What do you do?

Finding a job may sometimes be frustrating, and not hearing back from the company can make it worse.

Following up is essential, but it can be difficult to communicate without coming across as pushy or desperate for an offer. That’s where we can help. Here’s how to properly follow up with a recruiter after an interview. 

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How To Follow Up with a Recruiter After an Interview (Tips)

Be straightforward

The best advice when following up with a recruiter after an interview is to be straightforward. Getting right to the point with why you are reaching out will garner the most replies. Everyone is busy, so a 5-10 paragraph email that could be summarized in 2 will only delay a response. 

Be truthful

Try to be honest about who you are during the job hunt. Be yourself in all interactions with the hiring manager. 

While applying for jobs, truthfulness can make you more likely to land a role where you feel valued and empowered.

Be aware of their schedule

Generally speaking, consider your point of contact's schedule when you follow up with them. Everyone is busy nowadays, so don't make the recruiter feel uncomfortable immediately.

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follow-up email Templates

Subject line

Your follow-up email's subject line should be precise, concise, and express gratitude for the interviewer's time. It is unnecessary to spend hours thinking out a catchy topic line. You can state your name, the interview date, and the hour.

Introduction

If you and the person you're contacting already know each other by first names — perhaps after several emails and face-to-face conversations — it is okay to start your follow-up email with their first name. Otherwise, use their title and last name.

Body text

This should be a simple and quick message. Thank the recruiter for their time and indicate that you are interested in the position and the organization.

Signing off

Finish by summarizing your qualifications as a candidate and your contributions to this new opportunity. Finish by saying, "Looking forward to hearing from you," followed by "Thank you" and your entire name. Invite the interviewee to ask any more questions once you've made your point in the primary body of your follow-up email.

• I appreciate your time during the interview.

• It was great talking to you!

• I'm grateful for the chance.

• I value your time and suggestions.

Finishing touches

Remember to proofread your follow-up email before sending it. Make sure it is properly spaced, punctuated, and error-free. Using a spellchecker should be helpful.

Select a respectful and professional closing like "Best," "Genuinely," or "Thank you." Include your signature and contact details before closing the email.

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Follow-Up Message Example

Hello,

It was a pleasure to speak with you throughout the hiring process for the post . Getting to know you and your staff was a joy.

I'm writing to see if there have been any developments on my application for , which I was interviewed on . I want to express my enthusiasm for the opportunity and continued interest in the position. 

I'm eager to learn more about the following steps because, based on what I discovered, the position appears to be a fantastic fit for my experience. I appreciate your thought and time and look forward to hearing your opinions!

Best wishes,

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When should you follow up after an interview?

Give the ashes some time to settle. There is little benefit from calling them on the day of the interview because there is a considerable likelihood that your interviewer will be speaking to other applicants.

There are no absolute rules of the timeline. However, we advise refraining from emailing recruiters on weekends and waiting at least a few days between messages.

If five business days have passed since your interview and you have not heard back from the employer, you should follow up. Or, if the employer specified a timeframe for input following the interview, follow up one business day later.

How frequently should you contact a recruiter?

Although there are no specific guidelines for contacting them, it is always important to be kind and professional. Consider sending another after a few days if you don't hear back after the initial follow-up.

What if you don't get a response?

No matter how courteous your message is, sometimes you won't get a response. Although it could be challenging, you must respect their decision. We advise being patient but never taking rejection personally.

What if the employer says they don't have feedback yet?

If an employer says they don't have feedback yet, it's essential to be patient and understand that the hiring process can take time. You can ask the employer when you expect to receive feedback, but it's also important to remember that the employer may not have all the information they need yet.

If you don't hear back from the employer within the timeframe they provided, it's appropriate to follow up with them to inquire about the status of the decision.

Does a follow-up interview mean you got the job?

A follow-up interview does not necessarily mean that you got the job; it could be for various reasons; for example, the employer wants to make sure that you are a good fit for the company culture, they want to get a sense of how you would handle certain situations, or they want to meet with other members of the team.

It's a good sign that you are still being considered for the position, but it's important not to assume that you have the job until you receive an official offer.

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Wrapping Up | Interview Follow-Up Email

Following up after a job interview can be intimidating. You might not know how to best check in with the recruiter or feel like you’re imposing on your interviewer’s time. But your dream new job could be just around the corner. 

With these tips, you can feel confident in following up post-interview with your potential employer - making a good impression and hopefully helping make their hiring decision easy. 

Final note: even with these tips, there are no strict guidelines for follow-up emails, so you should follow up in a way that comes naturally to you.

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Title: how to follow up with a recruiter after an interview

Category: Interview

Author: Becky is a contributor for theJub. She’s a writing and talent acquisition specialist who loves to apply her skills through creative writing and editing.