Written by Aditi Satam, Career Peer Educator
There's this moment after an interview when your brain starts doing math, "Okay, they liked me. They asked me about my strengths. Maybe鈥aybe I got it?" Then reality hits. You head home, stare at your ceiling, and wonder: 鈥淪hould I email them? How soon? What following up makes me look desperate, or will staying silent make me look uninterested?鈥
Let's be honest, following up can feel like choosing between 鈥榙esperate鈥 and 鈥榰ninterested.鈥 The truth is, a well-timed and well-written follow-up email will show that you are enthusiastic, professional, and genuinely interested.
Why follow up?
A thoughtful follow-up is more than just another email. It gives you another opportunity to reinforce your interest, highlight your professionalism, and leave a positive impression. It is common, sometimes expected, and it can genuinely work in your favor. It will:
- Re-affirm your interest in the role
- Show you are organized and professional
- Give you a chance to add something you didn't mention in the interview
- Help the hiring team remember who you are when they are making a decision
Long story short 鈥 following up is not a sign of desperation; it鈥檚 a smart professional move.
When to send it?
Timing is key. You don't want to email 10 minutes after your interview or wait three weeks and hope they remember you. Here's a simple rule, if they give a timeline (e.g., "We'll decide by Friday"), wait until that date passes, then send a follow-up email the next day or two. If they didn't give a timeline, send a follow-up 5-7 business days after the interview.
What to say?
Without sounding desperate.
Here's a simple structure to follow:
- Start with a thank-you: "Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me鈥"
- Re-affirm your interest in the position: "I'm really excited about the opportunity to join [company/team] and contribute to [specific thing you talked about]."
- Add something small (optional): You might have forgotten to mention a skill, or you thought of an anecdote related to your conversation. For example: "I also wanted to share that I really enjoyed hearing about [project/team culture]. It made me even more interested in the role."
- Wrap it up politely: "Please let me know if there's anything else I can provide. I look forward to hearing from you.鈥
Keep it short and professional. That's what enthusiastic looks like.
From my experience
I remember getting an interview invitation and feeling a mix of excitement and panic. That same week, I came to the Career Lounge (located in the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building, room 1020), and the Career Peers there taught me how to answer common interview questions and present myself with confidence. They showed me how to talk about my strengths without sounding rehearsed, how to ask thoughtful questions, and how to stay calm when I didn't know the answer. Knowing that I had that support made me feel more confident.
When it came time to follow up, I didn't need to over-explain or beg. I just sent a short, polite message thanking them for the conversation, reaffirming my interest, and offering to provide anything else they might need. Two days later, I got an email: "We'd like to offer you the position." That follow-up didn't do everything on its own, but it reminded them that I was still interested, still engaged, and...still me.
What's the difference?
Desperate vs. Enthusiastic is a fine line.
Desperate looks like:
- Multiple emails in a row
- Asking "Did you get my email?" too many times
- Long, emotional paragraphs about how much you need the job
Enthusiastic looks like:
- One polite follow-up
- Clear, professional tone
- Short and focused
- Reaffirming interest without over-explaining
You want to sound like someone who is excited, not someone who is counting hours until their next update.
The follow up isn't about being perfect. It's about being human. You are allowed to care. You are allowed to be interested. You are allowed to send one thoughtful email that says, "Hey, I'm still here, and I'm still excited." So go for it. Draft that email. Send it and then just wait. Easier said than done, of course, but the email has done its job. Now, try to let it go, and remember that even if you do not receive the role, a professional follow-up can leave a positive impression and help build a connection for future opportunities.
Got interview follow-up questions? Swing by the Career Lounge; we'll help you craft the perfect message.