​​Mastering the Art of the Follow-Up Email After an Interview

After an interview, sending a follow-up email is one of the best ways to leave a lasting, positive impression on your potential employer. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that shows your gratitude, reinforces your interest in the role, and keeps you on the employer’s radar. But, like everything else in the job search process, there’s an art to doing it right.

Here’s how to craft a follow-up email that will help you stand out for all the right reasons.

1. Send It Within 24 Hours

Timing is key. Aim to send your follow-up email within 24 hours of the interview, ideally within a few hours. This shows you are prompt, respectful of the interviewer’s time, and genuinely interested in the opportunity. A quick, well-written email will keep you fresh in their mind and show your professionalism.

2. Be Professional and Polite

Your email should maintain a professional tone, even if the interview was informal. Use the proper greeting and closing, such as “Dear [Interviewer’s Name]” and “Kind regards.” Avoid using overly casual language, and make sure your email is free of errors. A quick spell-check won’t hurt!

3. Express Gratitude

Start your email by thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the company and the role. A sincere expression of appreciation will help the interviewer remember you as polite, gracious, and considerate.

Example: "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure to learn more about your team and the exciting work you’re doing."

4. Reinforce Your Interest

The follow-up email is a chance to reiterate why you’re excited about the role and why you’re a great fit. Briefly mention something specific from the interview that made you even more enthusiastic about the position or company.

Example: "Our discussion about [specific project, company value, or role responsibility] really resonated with me. I am confident that my experience in [relevant skill/experience] would allow me to contribute to your team’s success."

5. Address Any Missed Points

If there was something you forgot to mention during the interview or if you think of something that might further strengthen your application, the follow-up email is a great place to address it. This shows that you are thoughtful and thorough.

Example: "I realised after our conversation that I didn’t fully emphasise my experience in [specific skill], which I believe would be highly beneficial for [specific task/role]. I’d love the opportunity to discuss this further if needed."

6. Be Brief and To the Point

Your follow-up email should be concise. Employers are busy, so respect their time by keeping your email short and sweet. Aim for a few sentences to express your gratitude, reinforce your enthusiasm, and maybe add a small follow-up point.

7. Close With Next Steps

End your email by expressing your eagerness to hear from them and politely inviting the next steps. Whether that’s arranging a second interview or providing any additional information, this shows initiative.

Example: "I look forward to the next steps in the process and am happy to provide any additional information if needed. Thank you again for considering my application."

8. Sign Off Professionally

Finish the email with a polite sign-off, such as "Kind regards" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

Sample Follow-Up Email:

Subject: Follow-Up on [Job Title] Interview

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for speaking with me about the [Job Title] role at [Company Name] yesterday. I truly appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your team and the exciting work you’re doing.

Our discussion about [specific topic from the interview] only deepened my enthusiasm for the position, and I am confident that my experience in [related skill/experience] would allow me to contribute meaningfully to your team.

Thank you once again for considering my application. I look forward to hearing about the next steps and am happy to provide any further information if needed.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

9. Final Tip: Follow Up Once, Not Twice

While it’s important to follow up, don’t overdo it. One follow-up email is sufficient. If you don’t hear back after a week or two, feel free to send a polite second email, but avoid bombarding the employer with multiple messages. You don’t want to come across as pushy, just genuinely interested.

A well-crafted follow-up email can work wonders for your job search. It’s a small gesture that demonstrates your professionalism, reinforces your interest in the role, and helps you stay top of mind. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of follow-up and making a lasting impression on your potential employer.