Many candidates treat the interview as the finish line, but what you do afterwards matters more than most people realise. A thoughtful follow-up can reinforce your candidacy and keep you front of mind.
Send a thank you email within 24 hours. Keep it brief — three to four sentences maximum. Thank the interviewer for their time, reference something specific you discussed, and reaffirm your interest in the role.
Make it personal, not generic. A templated thank you is better than nothing but far less effective than one that references a specific conversation point. If they mentioned a challenge the team is facing, briefly acknowledge it and express enthusiasm about contributing.
Connect on LinkedIn. After the interview, send a connection request with a brief note. This keeps you visible and demonstrates professionalism.
Be patient but persistent. If you have not heard back by the date they mentioned, send a brief follow-up: "I wanted to check in on the timeline for the role. I remain very interested and would welcome any update."
Do not follow up more than twice. After two check-ins without response, the answer is likely no. Move on and focus your energy on other opportunities.
If you get rejected, respond gracefully. Thank them, ask for feedback if appropriate, and express interest in future opportunities. Hiring managers talk to each other — leaving a positive impression matters even in rejection.
Looking for your next role? Set up a free job alert and get personalised matches.
Create Job Alert →