Should You Follow Up After an Interview With a Call or Email?

Everyone · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Does Following Up After an Interview Mean?

Following up after an interview means reaching out to the person or people who interviewed you to express gratitude for their time and reaffirm your interest in the job. This is a professional courtesy that shows respect and keeps communication open. Typically, this is done shortly after the interview, often within one to two days. The follow-up can be through email, a phone call, or occasionally a handwritten note. The goal is to leave a positive impression and remind the interviewer why you are a strong candidate. It also provides an opportunity to clarify or add any important information you may have forgotten during the interview itself.

For example, if you interviewed for an administrative assistant role on Monday, sending a thank-you email by Tuesday or Wednesday helps maintain momentum. The follow-up is not just a formality—it can influence the employer’s perception and even impact the decision-making process.

How Does Following Up After an Interview Work in Practice?

Think of following up as a short, polite message that keeps your name fresh in the interviewer's mind. Suppose you had an interview for a graphic designer position last Friday. By the next business day, you send a message like this:

"Dear Mr. Lee, Thank you for meeting with me to discuss the Graphic Designer role on Friday. I enjoyed learning more about your creative team and the exciting projects you have underway. I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my skills in digital illustration and branding to your company. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Best regards, Alex Morgan"

This example shows how to keep the message concise but meaningful, connecting your skills to the company’s needs and expressing a willingness to provide more information. It also demonstrates professionalism and appreciation without demanding an immediate response.

Why Does Following Up Matter for Job Seekers?

Following up is important because many candidates do not take this extra step, so doing it can set you apart. It demonstrates good manners, attention to detail, and genuine interest. Employers appreciate candidates who communicate well and follow through, qualities often valuable in any role.

Additionally, the follow-up can serve as a reminder if the hiring manager is busy or interviewing multiple candidates. It also gives you a chance to reinforce your fit for the job by briefly highlighting key skills or experiences discussed during the interview. For example, if you forgot to mention a relevant certification during the conversation, your follow-up email can include that information.

Furthermore, following up keeps the lines of communication open, which can be useful if there are delays in the hiring process or if the employer wants to schedule another interview. It can also help you get feedback if you don’t get the job, which is valuable for future applications.

Should You Follow Up With a Call or an Email?

Choosing between a call or an email depends on the situation, but in most cases, email is the preferred method. Email allows the interviewer to respond when convenient, without feeling interrupted. It also creates a written record of your professionalism and interest.

Calls are more direct and can be appropriate if:

• The interviewer explicitly told you to call with questions or updates.
• You are following up after a final interview and want to confirm next steps.
• You have waited longer than the timeframe given and want to check in politely.

If calling, keep the conversation brief and polite. For instance: "Hello, this is Jordan Smith. I interviewed for the Customer Service Representative position last week and wanted to thank you again for the opportunity. I’m happy to provide any additional information if needed."

If the call is unanswered, leave a concise voicemail including your name, the position you applied for, and your phone number. Avoid multiple calls, as this can be perceived as pushy.

For most initial follow-ups, email is safer and more effective. Avoid calling unless you have a clear reason or invitation to do so.

What Are Common Mistakes When Following Up?

Avoiding common mistakes can improve how your follow-up is received. Here are frequent errors to watch for:

• Following up too soon: Contacting the interviewer immediately after the interview or multiple times a day can seem desperate or annoying. Wait 24 to 48 hours before sending an email.
• Following up too often: A single polite follow-up is usually enough. If you don’t get a response within one to two weeks, one more follow-up is acceptable, but avoid pestering.
• Calling without permission: Unsolicited calls can disrupt the interviewer’s schedule and create a negative impression.
• Writing long or vague messages: Keep your follow-up concise and specific. Avoid generic “thank you” notes that lack personalization.
• Using informal language or slang: Maintain a professional tone, proofread for grammar and spelling, and avoid emojis or casual phrases.
• Ignoring instructions: If the employer specified a preferred follow-up method, follow their guidance precisely.

Taking care with timing, tone, and content makes your follow-up more effective and respectful of the interviewer’s time.

How to Write an Effective Follow-Up Email?

Here is a step-by-step approach to crafting a strong follow-up email:

1. Subject Line: Make it clear and professional. Examples include: "Thank You – Marketing Assistant Interview" "Follow-Up on Project Manager Interview"

1. Greeting: Use the interviewer’s name, spelled correctly. "Dear Ms. Robinson,"

1. Express Gratitude: Thank them for their time and consideration. "Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the Sales Associate position."

1. Reaffirm Interest: Briefly state why you’re excited about the role. "I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your team’s success."

1. Highlight Key Points: Reference something specific from the interview to personalize the message. "I appreciated learning more about your new customer loyalty initiatives, which align well with my experience."

1. Offer Additional Information: Show openness to provide anything needed. "Please let me know if I can provide further details."

1. Professional Closing: Use a courteous sign-off with your name and contact info. "Best regards, Taylor Green [email protected] (555) 123-4567"

An example email putting this together:

"Subject: Thank You – Marketing Assistant Interview

Dear Ms. Robinson,

Thank you for taking the time to discuss the Marketing Assistant role with me yesterday. I enjoyed learning about your team’s strategies and am excited about the chance to contribute my social media experience to your campaigns. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.

Best regards, Taylor Green"

This format is clear, professional, and easy to personalize.

What Should You Do Next After Sending a Follow-Up?

After sending your follow-up email or making a call, practice patience. Hiring decisions can take days or weeks, depending on the company’s process. Here are practical steps to take while waiting:

• Continue job searching: Don’t pause your efforts; apply to other positions and prepare for more interviews.
• Prepare for next steps: Review the job description and company so you’re ready if called for a second interview.
• Avoid excessive contact: One polite follow-up is enough initially. If no response comes after about 10 to 14 days, a second follow-up email can be sent gently referencing your previous message.
• Stay professional: If you get a rejection, reply politely thanking them for the opportunity. This keeps doors open for future openings.
• Request feedback if appropriate: Some employers are willing to provide feedback, which can help improve future interviews.

For example, a second follow-up email might say: "Dear Ms. Robinson, I wanted to check in regarding the Marketing Assistant position I interviewed for two weeks ago. I remain very interested and would appreciate any updates you can share. Thank you again for your time."

Balancing persistence with respect demonstrates professionalism.

Frequently asked questions

What if the interviewer doesn’t respond to my follow-up email?

If you don’t get a response within one to two weeks, it’s okay to send one more polite email checking in. If there’s still no answer, it’s best to move on and focus on other opportunities.

Can I follow up by LinkedIn message instead of email?

It depends on the situation. Email is generally preferred because it’s more formal and direct. However, if you connected with the interviewer on LinkedIn and the platform feels appropriate, a brief, courteous message can be acceptable.

Should I tailor my follow-up message for different interviewers?

Yes. Personalizing your message by referencing something specific from your conversation with each interviewer shows attention to detail and genuine interest. Avoid sending generic, identical emails.

Is it ever appropriate to follow up immediately after the interview?

Sending a quick thank-you email on the same day can be fine if the interview was early, but generally waiting until the next business day is better to avoid seeming too eager.

How can I politely ask about the hiring timeline in my follow-up?

You can add a sentence like, "Could you please share the anticipated timeline for the next steps?" This shows interest without pressure.