How to write a follow-up email after an interview with no response
The recruiter promised an answer within a week, and it has been two. Meanwhile you have another offer with a deadline. A good follow-up is short and warm, and gives them a concrete reason to reply now without sounding annoyed or desperate.
The task
The briefYou interviewed for a role two weeks ago. The recruiter said you would hear back within a week and you have heard nothing. You have another offer with a deadline in five days. Write a follow-up email.
The recruiter who said "we will get back to you this week". That was two weeks ago.
Remind them which role and when you interviewed
Restate your interest in the role
Mention your deadline as the reason for asking now
Ask a specific, answerable question
Length
80–130 words
Suggested time
15 minutes
Level
Easy
Planning tip: Give them a reason to reply now — your deadline is that reason. Stay warm; a chasing email that sounds annoyed rarely gets answered.
What a strong answer does
It reminds them who you are in one line: the role, the interview date, and who you met. Recruiters run many hiring processes at once.
It restates your interest sincerely and briefly, so the deadline does not read as an ultimatum.
The deadline is information, not a threat: you have another offer and must respond by a specific date.
It asks a question that can be answered in one line, such as where things stand or whether a decision is likely before your date.
It stays warm. It does not mention the missed ‘within a week’; everyone already knows.
It is short: 80–130 words. A follow-up longer than your interview thank-you note is too long.
How to structure it
- 1
Subject line
5–8 wordsReply in the original thread if you can, so the history is visible. If not: ‘Following up: [Role] interview on [date]’.
- 2
The reminder
20–25 wordsOne sentence: the role, when you interviewed, and who you spoke with.
- 3
Your interest
20–30 wordsOne or two sentences on why you still want this particular role: specific, not gushing.
- 4
The deadline
20–30 wordsExplain that you have another offer and need to answer it by a date. No pressure words, just the fact.
- 5
The question and close
15–25 wordsAsk one clear question, thank them, and sign off.
Useful phrases
Frames, not finished sentences: put your own details where the [brackets] are, and use only the ones that fit what you are saying.
The reminder
- I’m writing about the [role] interview I had on [date] with [names].
- We met on [date] to talk about the [role] position.
Restating interest
- I remain keen on the role, particularly [specific part of the work].
- Our conversation about [topic] made me even more interested in joining the team.
The deadline
- I’ve since received another offer, and I’ve been asked to reply by [date].
- Before I decide, I’d really like to know where I stand with you.
The question
- Could you let me know where things stand?
- Is a decision likely before [date]?
- If anything else would help, I’m happy to send it.
Closing
- Thanks again for your time.
- Best regards, [Name]
Common mistakes, and how to fix them
Sounding annoyed: ‘You said I would hear back last week.’
Pointing out the broken promise is accurate and useless. It puts the recruiter on the defensive, and an irritated email is the easiest one to leave until tomorrow.
Fix: Assume good faith. Delays usually come from the hiring manager, not the recruiter.
Turning the deadline into an ultimatum: ‘If I don’t hear by Friday, I will accept the other offer.’
It reads as pressure and invites a ‘go ahead’. The same fact, stated as information, gets a faster and kinder reply.
Fix: Write ‘I’ve been asked to respond to another offer by Friday, and I’d like to hear from you first.’
No reminder of who you are: ‘Any update?’
From an unfamiliar name, it forces the recruiter to search their inbox to work out which role you mean.
Fix: Name the role and the interview date in the first line.
Asking a question that needs a long answer.
‘Could you give me detailed feedback on my performance?’ is a big request, and it delays the simple reply you actually need.
Fix: Ask where things stand, or whether a decision is likely before your date.
‘Kindly revert at the earliest’ or ‘Awaiting your positive response’.
Both are common in South Asian English but read elsewhere as pushy or odd: ‘revert’ means ‘return to an earlier state’ to most readers, and ‘positive response’ presumes the answer.
Fix: Ask plainly: ‘Could you let me know where things stand?’
Chasing too often.
Several messages in a week signal desperation and irritate the recruiter.
Fix: Wait until the promised date has passed, then send one clear email. Send another only if something changes, such as a new deadline.
Before you submit: a self-check
Does the first line name the role and the interview date?
Have you restated your interest in one specific sentence?
Is the deadline stated as a fact rather than a threat?
Can your question be answered in one line?
Is there anything that sounds irritated? (Remove it.)
Is it under 130 words?
Questions people ask
How long should I wait before following up after an interview?
Wait until the date they gave you has passed, plus a couple of working days. If they gave no date, a week to ten days after the interview is reasonable. If another offer gives you a deadline, follow up sooner: that is new information they need.
Should I tell the recruiter I have another offer?
Yes, if it is true and you would prefer their role. It is useful information, and companies often move faster for a candidate they want. State it calmly with the date, and do not exaggerate it.
What if they still don’t reply?
Make your decision on your deadline without them. If you like, send one short note afterwards saying you have accepted another role and would welcome future opportunities. It keeps the door open.
Can I follow up on LinkedIn or by phone instead?
Email first, in the same thread if possible. A polite LinkedIn message is fine if email goes unanswered. Phone calls are best kept for when a recruiter has invited them.
Follow up after an interview with no reply
80–130 words · 15 minutes · Easy. Free to start; you need a TalkDrill account to submit, not to read this guide.
Scored by AI on TalkDrill on
- Task response25%
- Organisation20%
- Grammar20%
- Vocabulary15%
- Mechanics (spelling and punctuation)10%
- Tone10%
