How Long to Wait Before Following up After an Interview

The wait that comes after an interview can be excruciating. As days and weeks of no response pass, it’s easy to get discouraged. In fact, research shows that candidates consider non-responsive employers and hiring managers as one of the top most frustrating aspects of the job search.

In situations like this, it’s only normal to feel the need to follow up right away. However, following up too soon may give the impression that you are impatient, which could affect the outcome of your application. So, knowing the best time to make your move is key. Read on to find out how you can appropriately time your interview follow-ups.

Typical Wait Period Following a Job Interview

According to our Glassdoor Economic team’s research, the average interview duration in the UK is 27 days. However, the timelines may vary significantly based on several factors, such as job function, industry, and company. For example, the hospitality industry may take only ten days to interview while the consulting sector may take longer. In any case, the process generally may require some time. So, don’t panic if you don’t hear back from the hiring manager immediately. 

In general, the wait time after an interview depends on the employer’s urgency to fill a role, the volume of applications they have to review, and the number of people or departments involved in the hiring and decision-making process. The best way to find out is to ask the interviewer when you can anticipate hearing back from them. By doing this, you will be able to set realistic expectations, plan accordingly, and avoid feeling anxious while waiting for a hiring decision from the employer. 

The Ideal Time for a Follow-Up After an Interview

When it comes to following up after an interview, timing is important. The best time to follow up depends on your circumstances. If you’re aiming to send a thank you note to express your appreciation to the interviewer and remind them that you are a good fit for the role, it’s best to send it within 24 hours after the job interview. According to a survey, 68% of hiring managers prefer candidates who send thank you notes. Hence, sending one as soon as possible can boost your chances of receiving an offer.

On the other hand, if you haven’t received feedback and want to check on the progress of your application, we recommend waiting a little bit longer. This is because conducting thorough due diligence to make the best hiring decision usually requires some time. We recommend contacting the interviewer around a week following the interview. 

It's a different story if you were given a specific timeline for the hiring decision. In such a case, following up before the specified feedback date is a no-no. Following up too quickly may create a wrong impression that you are impatient or even desperate, which could affect how your application is received. However, if the employer doesn’t get back to you as planned, following up to check in is totally acceptable.

In any case, to prevent overwhelming the employer, spacing out your follow-up attempts is also imperative. Typically, one or two follow-ups spaced approximately a week apart should be sufficient.  For example, if you send a follow-up email on Tuesday and don’t hear back, consider sending another one the following Monday.

Does a Long Wait Mean You Haven’t Been Successful?

The short answer is no, a long wait time does not automatically equate to an unsuccessful interview outcome. Regardless of how good of a fit you are, making a hiring decision is not a simple yes or no process. Behind the scenes are many steps that an employer needs to take to ensure they’re making the best hiring decision. After all the planned interviews, the hiring team will typically meet to review their overall impression of each candidate, including concerns, strengths and weaknesses.

Once the top candidate is selected, the employer still needs to perform background checks, decide on compensation, issue a formal job offer, and settle on a start date. All these can take time, depending on the number of people and departments involved in the process. In some cases, companies may also need to put hiring on hold because of various factors, such as budget concerns or an unexpected restructuring. This could further delay the process.

In any case, we suggest following up instead of making negative assumptions about the interview's outcome. Doing so will give you a better understanding of what’s really causing the delay, saving you from unnecessary stress. If you followed up but received no response for several weeks, then it may be time to consider moving on. On this note, we suggest continuing your job search until the time you receive a written offer and start your new role, as there is no certainty before this point.

 What to say when following up after an interview?

Following up after an interview can help demonstrate your interest in the position. Moreover, it can remind the employer of any pertinent information about your application. Your message should be concise and include the following key components.

If you’re looking for more details on what to include, you can check this article. Below are a few practical examples for inspiration.

Example 1: Thanking the employer for the opportunity

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me [today/yesterday]. I really enjoyed learning about [interesting information you learned from the interviewer] and was particularly interested by [information about the business or team that increased your desire to work there]. Our chat has furthered my interest to work for [Company Name] and help you [details about the benefits you can deliver for the company]. If you have further questions or need additional samples of my work, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best,

[Your Full Name]

[Your contact details]

Example 2: Checking-in your application status

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I hope you are well.

I am writing to see if you have any updates regarding the [job title] position that I interviewed for on [date of the interview].  The role seems like a great fit for my background in [relevant experience] and I am excited to hear about the next steps. Please let me know if there are any other details I can provide you with to facilitate the recruitment process.

Best,

[Your Full Name]

[Your contact details]

Example 3: Following up after the interviewer’s specified feedback date

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I hope you’re doing well.

I am writing to check-in on the [job title], as you mentioned you expect to make a hiring decision by [feedback date specified by the interviewer]. It was great meeting the team and I am looking forward to your update. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can provide you with to assist in the decision-making process.

Best,

[Your Full Name]

[Your contact details]