How to Request an Update After an Interview

A quick email or phone call can help determine when a job offer might be made.

After completing an interview, it might take several days, weeks or months for a decision to be made on who was the successful candidate. This time can be stressful for anyone who has participated in a job interview and is anxious to know the result. After the interview, there are several ways you can follow up after an interview to express your ongoing interest in the position and seek an update on when a decision will be made.

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to ask. After an interview, you might want to know when a decision will be made on the successful candidate for a position. You might also have questions related to the position that you forgot to ask during the interview.

2. Determine who you want to contact. If you have been given a contact person for follow-up questions, direct your question to that person. Alternatively, seek an update from the person who conducted the interview.

3. Decide when you want to request the update. If you asked during the interview when a decision might be made, do not contact the company before that time has passed. Similarly, if the interviewer indicated a time-frame for making a decision, try to avoid requesting an update until after that time has lapsed.

4. Draft a brief email or letter requesting an update. In your email or letter, refer back to the interview and the time-frame indicated during the interview with respect to when a decision might be made. Make sure you proofread your correspondence, and indicate your ongoing interest in the opportunity and reinforce your suitability for the position.

5. Follow up with a phone call. If you do not receive a response to your email, follow up with a phone call. Similarly, if you received a response to your email that included a time-frame on when a decision might be made, follow up with a phone call after this time has lapsed and seek an update. If you reach your interviewer's voicemail, leave a short message reminding them about who you are, including when you were interviewed and the position you interviewed for, and request an update.

Tips & Warnings

• When following up, be sure to thank the interviewer for the initial interview.

• While waiting for a decision to be made, pursue other job opportunities in case of a rejection.

References

• The Everything Job Interview Book: All You Need to Make a Great First Impression and Land the Perfect Job; Joy Darlington, Nancy Schuman; 2008
• Adams Job Interview Almanac; Adams Media; 2005