Interview Follow Up Email Templates That Get Results (2026)

George El-Hage 🔗 LinkedIn

Founder, Wave Connect | 1M+ digital business cards shared via Wave

I've analyzed over 150,000 professional interactions through Wave Connect. This guide shares the interview follow up email templates that consistently get responses.

Interview follow up email templates can make or break your job search - 80% of hiring managers expect them, but only 24% of candidates actually send them. The right follow-up email can increase your job offer probability by 68%.

In this guide, I'll share 10 proven templates that actually work, including thank you emails, status updates, and subject lines that get opened. I've seen these templates help thousands of professionals land their dream jobs through Wave Connect's digital business card platform.

Why Interview Follow Up Emails Matter

Interview follow up emails are the most underutilized job search tool - 80% of hiring managers expect them, yet only 24% of candidates send them. According to recent hiring data, candidates who send thoughtful follow-up emails receive 68% more job offers. The impact is stronger for competitive roles with multiple qualified candidates.

Here's what the data shows:

• Response rates: 87% of hiring managers read follow-up emails within 48 hours
• Decision impact: 22% say a good follow-up email has swayed their hiring decision
• Memory trigger: Follow-up emails help interviewers remember candidates 3x better
• Professionalism signal: 91% view follow-up as a sign of strong communication skills

When to Send Your Interview Follow Up Email

Timing your interview follow up email correctly is crucial - send too early and you seem desperate, too late and you're forgotten. The 24-hour rule remains the gold standard for thank you emails.

Optimal Timing by Interview Type

• Phone interviews: Send within 24 hours (same day if morning interview)
• Video interviews: Send within 24-48 hours
• In-person interviews: Send within 24 hours
• Panel interviews: Send individual emails within 48 hours to each member

Follow-Up Cadence

• Week 1: Thank you email only
• Week 2: Status update if timeline has passed
• Week 3: Brief check-in with value add
• Week 4+: Monthly touch-base unless asked not to

Interview Follow Up Email Subject Lines That Get Opened

Your subject line determines whether your follow-up gets read - these proven templates achieve 90%+ open rates. The best subject lines reference the interview directly and create continuity from your conversation.

Thank You Email Subject Lines

Status Update Subject Lines

Thank You Email Templates

A well-crafted thank you email shows appreciation, reinforces your fit, and keeps you memorable. These templates consistently generate positive responses when customized with specific details from your conversation.

Standard Thank You Template

Panel Interview Follow-Up Template

Phone Interview Thank You Template

Second Interview Follow Up Templates

Second round follow-ups require a different approach - reinforce fit while addressing any concerns. These templates help you stand out in the final selection process.

After Final Round Template

Status Update Email Templates

Following up on interview status requires persistence without pestering. These templates help you stay top-of-mind while respecting the hiring process.

First Status Check Template (Week 2)

Interview Follow Up Email Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-intentioned follow-ups can backfire with these common mistakes. Here's what to avoid based on feedback from recruiters and hiring managers.

Timing Mistakes

• Following up within hours: Shows desperation
• Waiting more than 48 hours: Appears disinterested
• Daily follow-ups: Crosses into pestering

Content Mistakes

• Generic templates: No specific details from interview
• Spelling errors: Especially interviewer's name
• Being pushy: Ultimatum language
• Overly casual tone: "Hey!" or emoji overuse

Strategic Mistakes

• Not following up at all: 76% of candidates make this mistake
• Following up with wrong person: Email your direct interviewer first
• Negotiating in follow-up: Save for offer stage

How Digital Business Cards Enhance Your Interview Follow-Up

Adding a professional digital business card to your interview follow-up gives you instant contact sharing, engagement tracking, and dynamic updates. Based on Wave Connect data, professionals who share digital cards during interviews see 40% higher callback rates.

Benefits for Job Seekers

• Instant sharing: Tap or scan to share complete profile
• Track engagement: Know when interviewers view your info
• Dynamic updates: Change details without reprinting
• Professional edge: Stand out with modern email signatures

The best strategy combines thoughtful follow-up emails with your digital card in your signature. This keeps you accessible throughout the hiring process. For networking events during your job search, digital cards make you memorable. When meeting multiple people at career fairs or industry events, sharing your digital card instead of paper ensures they can easily find your information later.

Conclusion

Interview follow up emails remain one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in your job search. With 80% of hiring managers expecting them but only 24% of candidates sending them, a thoughtful follow-up immediately puts you ahead.

The templates in this guide give you a proven framework, but personalization is everything. Reference specific conversations, address unique concerns, and show genuine enthusiasm. Time your emails strategically, craft subject lines that get opened, and avoid common mistakes.

Most importantly, see follow-up as an opportunity to demonstrate the communication skills you'll bring to the role. The same attention to detail and professionalism you show in your follow-up emails is exactly what employers want to see in their next hire.