Follow-up email after an interview or application, with 4 templates

Last updated October 21, 2026. Originally written by Autumn Danobeytia; revised and updated throughout by the Internships.com editorial team.

Key takeaways

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of an interview.¹ Write a separate email to each person who interviewed you.
• After you submit a job or internship application, wait about 7–10 days before following up, unless the posting gives its own timeline.¹
• If you haven't heard back 7–10 business days after an interview, one polite check-in email is reasonable.¹ If the interviewer gave you a decision date, wait until that date has passed.
• A good follow-up email names the role, mentions one specific thing from your application or interview, and fits in three short paragraphs.
• After the thank-you, one follow-up is usually enough.¹ A second or third check-in reads as pressure, not interest.

When should you send a follow-up email?

The right time depends on what you're following up on. The first three timings below come from UNLV Career Services' guide to following up;¹ the last row and the one-per-interviewer note are our own advice. If an employer gives you a timeline of their own, use theirs.

How do you write a thank-you email after an interview?

A thank-you email after an interview should thank the interviewer for their time, mention something specific you talked about, and say you're still interested in the role. Send it the same evening or the next morning. Sooner can look automatic; much later can look like the job slipped your mind.

Little tip: If you interviewed with several people on the same day, send each of them their own email. Don't CC everyone on one message.

What to include in a thank-you email

1. A real thank-you, not just "thanks for your time."
2. One specific thing from the conversation. It shows you were paying attention.
3. A line saying you're still interested in the role.
4. An offer to send anything else they need.
5. A professional sign-off with your contact details.

Template 1: Thank-you email after an interview

Subject: Thank you: [job title] interview

Hello [interviewer's name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me [today / yesterday] about the [job title] position at [company name]. I enjoyed learning more about the role and where the team is headed. Our conversation about [specific topic from the interview] stuck with me, and it made me even more excited to contribute.

I think my experience with [relevant skill or experience] would help with [something the interviewer said the team needs]. Please let me know if there's anything else I can share.

Thank you again,
[your name]
[contact info]

Template 2: Thank-you email that adds something you forgot

Most people walk out of an interview thinking of the one thing they meant to say. A follow-up email sent the same evening or the next morning is a professional way to add it, and it can stand in for your thank-you.

Subject: Following up: [job title] interview and one more thought

Hello [interviewer's name],

Thank you again for our conversation [today / yesterday]. I appreciated the chance to learn more about [company name] and the [job title] role.

I realized I didn't mention [the experience, project, or detail you forgot]. It connects to [something discussed in the interview], and I'd be glad to share more about it if that's helpful.

I'd be glad to talk about next steps whenever the timing works.

Thank you,
[your name]
[contact info]

How long should you wait to follow up on a job or internship application?

Wait about 7–10 days after applying before you send a follow-up email, unless the posting says when you'll hear back.¹ A follow-up on an application has a narrower job than a thank-you: it confirms you're still interested and asks politely where the application stands. You don't need to restate your resume.

If the posting names a recruiter or hiring manager, write to them. If it doesn't, address the email to the hiring team and send it to the contact address on the posting. Many postings send you to an online application system with no contact address at all. In that case, reply to your application confirmation email if you got one, or skip the follow-up and put the time into new applications. Don't guess a name from LinkedIn; "Hiring Team" is the safer greeting.

Template 3: Following up on an application

Subject: Following up on my application for [job title]

Hello [hiring manager's name, or "Hiring Team"],

I applied for the [job title] position on [date] and wanted to follow up on my interest in the role. I believe my experience with [relevant skill or experience] would be a strong fit for what you're looking for.

I know you're likely reviewing many applications. If there's an update on timing or next steps, I'd be grateful to hear it.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,
[your name]
[contact info]

What should you send if you haven't heard back after an interview?

Waiting to hear back after an interview is hard, and silence doesn't always mean you're out. If 7–10 business days pass with no update, send one short check-in email.¹ Before you send it, check whether the interviewer gave you a decision date. If they did and it hasn't passed, wait. A check-in before the date they named can look like you missed what they said. If there's still no reply after the check-in, put your energy into other applications.

Keep applying while you wait. A pending interview isn't an offer, so keep browsing open internships on Internships.com in the meantime.

Template 4: Checking in after an interview

Subject: Checking in: [job title] interview on [date]

Hello [interviewer's name],

I hope your week is going well. I interviewed for the [job title] role on [date], and I'm still very interested in joining [company name]. I wanted to ask whether there's an update on the hiring timeline.

If it would help, I'm happy to send [a work sample, references, or my availability].

Thank you,
[your name]
[contact info]

What are the most common follow-up email mistakes?

• Sending a generic message. A follow-up email that could go to any company doesn't remind anyone who you are. Name the role and one specific detail.
• Following up too often. After the thank-you, one follow-up is usually enough. More than that adds pressure rather than information.
• Being passive about your interest. "I hope I hear from you" says less than "I'd be glad to talk about next steps whenever the timing works."
• Skipping the proofread. A misspelled name in a thank-you email undoes the impression the email was meant to make. Read the email twice before you send it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I follow up on LinkedIn instead of email?

Email is the standard channel for a follow-up. A short LinkedIn message works if you're already connected with the recruiter or interviewer, but don't send the same follow-up on both.

How do I follow up with a recruiter I met at a career fair?

Email the recruiter within a day or two of the career fair. Mention the event, one thing you talked about, and the role you're applying for. For more ways to stay in touch with people you've met, see our networking message templates for LinkedIn and alumni outreach.

What subject line should a follow-up email have?

A follow-up email subject line should name the role and the reason for writing, such as "Thank you: [job title] interview" or "Following up on my application for [job title]." A specific subject line is easier to find in a busy inbox than "Checking in."

Footnotes

1. UNLV Career Services & Workforce Development, Following Up, as of October 20, 2026. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷