Follow-up email after no response
Silence usually means the process is slow, not that you are out. One polite note after the right wait is normal and often gets an answer.
Subject: Following up on the [role] role
Hi [their first name], I wanted to follow up on the [role] role. We spoke on [when you spoke or applied] and I am still very interested. The conversation made me more interested, not less. If there is anything I can send to help with your decision, I would be glad to. I understand these processes take time. Could you tell me where things stand and when I should expect to hear? Thank you, [your name]
How to get it right
- Wait the time they gave you, or about a week if they gave none. Follow up once, then once more a week later.
- Add one new fact if you have it: a certificate, a result, an article. It turns a nag into an update.
- Ask for the timeline, not the answer. “When should I expect to hear?” is easy to reply to.
- Keep applying while you wait. Most offers come from the process you were not waiting on.
Questions about this template
- How long should I wait before following up?
- A week after the interview or the date they gave you. If you applied online with no contact, two weeks.
- How many times can I follow up?
- Twice, a week or more apart. After that, assume the process moved on, and keep your options open.
- What if they said they would call me?
- Wait until the day after their date, then email. Phone calls are easy to miss.
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