How to Follow Up with Recruiters Without Sounding Pushy

When it comes to job searching, most professionals know they need a solid resume, a tailored cover letter, and a list of target companies. But few candidates pay attention to one crucial part of the process: following up the right way.

At The Interview, we often help candidates write effective follow-ups as part of our career support service — but here’s a clear guide if you want to do it yourself.

Why Follow-Up Matters

Many applicants assume “no news is bad news” or feel awkward reminding recruiters about their application. But here’s the truth: in a competitive job market, well-timed and professionally written follow-ups can help you stand out and even restart a stalled hiring process.

And yes, we’ve seen it happen.

When (and How) to Follow Up

1.⁠ ⁠Right After the Interview

Always send a short thank-you message within 24 hours. It shows professionalism and keeps you on the recruiter’s radar.

Subject: Thank you for the interview

Message:Hi Elena,

Thank you again for the great conversation today. I really enjoyed learning more about your team and the goals for the [Position Title] role.

I’m even more excited about the opportunity and look forward to hearing your feedback!

Best regards,Ivan

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2.⁠ ⁠If You Haven’t Heard Back (After 7–10 Days)

It’s absolutely okay to follow up after a week or so — especially if the expected response time has passed.

Subject: Following up on our interview

Message:Hi Elena,

I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to follow up regarding our interview for the [Position Title] role last week.

I’m still very interested and would love to know if there have been any updates on your end.

Thanks in advance for any information you can share.

Best,Ivan

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3.⁠ ⁠After a Rejection (Yes, Really)

Even if you didn’t get the offer, how you respond matters. A gracious follow-up can leave a lasting impression — and even open the door to future roles.

Subject: Thank you for the opportunity

Message:Hi Elena,

Thank you for getting back to me and for the opportunity to go through the process with your team.

While I’m obviously disappointed, I truly appreciated the chance to learn more about the company. If you’re open to it, I’d be grateful for any feedback on my interview performance — I’m always looking to grow.

Wishing you success with the hire and hope we cross paths again in the future!

Best regards,Ivan

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Final Tip

If you’re applying for roles in international or remote-first companies, follow-ups are not optional — they’re expected. In fact, in many global markets, timely follow-ups are standard communication etiquette.

Need help writing the perfect follow-up or crafting messages that position you as a strong candidate? We’ve got you covered. Our career support includes real-time feedback, message editing, and scenario-based interview prep — so you always know what to say (and when).