Email templates
They said you would hear back by Friday, and Friday came and went. Silence after an interview usually means busy people, not bad news. These templates let you ask for an update without sounding anxious or pushy.
They told you a date for next steps and it has come and gone.
Hi [Name], Thank you again for the conversation on [Interview date]. You mentioned I'd likely hear about next steps by [Date they gave], so I wanted to check in. Is there any news on the timeline? I'm still very interested in the [Job title] role and happy to provide anything else that would help the decision. Best regards, [Your name]
About a week after your first follow-up got no reply. Keep it even shorter.
Hi [Name], I wanted to send one more short note about the [Job title] role. I know hiring rounds get busy, so no pressure on a full update. If the timeline has shifted or the position has gone another way, I'd appreciate a quick line so I can plan accordingly. Either way, thank you for the time you've already given me. Best regards, [Your name]
You have another offer with a real deadline and this role is the one you actually want.
Hi [Name], I wanted to share an update: I've received another offer that I need to answer by [Deadline date]. The [Job title] role at [Company] remains my first choice, so before I respond to them I wanted to ask whether a decision or an update on next steps is possible on your side before then. I appreciate it's a tight ask. Thank you for anything you can do. Best regards, [Your name]
Swap every [bracketed] placeholder before sending. And once it's out, log the follow-up in the free LinProfi extension so the next nudge never slips your mind.
Questions
If they named a date, wait one or two business days past it. If they did not, a week is the usual courtesy window. Internal scheduling, holidays, and other candidates routinely stretch timelines, so silence at day five rarely means rejection.
One follow-up after the stated timeline is expected. A second one, about a week later, is still fine if it stays short and friendly. Beyond that, take the silence as your answer and put your energy into other applications.
Yes, if it is real and has a deadline. Recruiters would much rather know than lose a candidate they wanted. State the date you need to answer by and that they are your preferred option, if that is true.
After two unanswered follow-ups, move on. You can keep the door open with a final short note saying you remain interested in the company, then track the application as closed and focus elsewhere.
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