The interview’s over. Now what?

In the first hour: write it down

You’ll forget most of the interview by tomorrow. The questions blur, and you’ll only remember the bit that went worst. So while it’s fresh, take five minutes on the bus, in a café or on the walk home.

Those notes are useful whatever happens. If you get the job, they remind you what was promised. If you get a second interview, they show you what to prepare. If you don’t get it, they help you work out what to practise.

Thank-you emails: useful, not compulsory

In the UK, a thank-you email after an interview is a nice touch, not an expectation. Some employers like them; many won’t notice either way. A short one is never a mistake, and it’s especially handy if:

• you didn’t find out when you’d hear back, or
• you forgot to mention something relevant, or
• the interviewer went out of their way to help, show you round or answer lots of questions.

Keep it short. Three or four sentences. Send it the same day or the next morning.

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet me today about the [Role] position. I enjoyed hearing about [something specific they told you], and it’s made me even keener on the role.

Please let me know if you need anything else from me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Personalise it. The “something specific” line is what stops it looking copied. If you can’t think of anything specific, it’s fine not to send one.

When to expect a response

There’s no standard timescale. Some employers ring the same afternoon. Some take weeks, especially big organisations or roles with lots of candidates. That’s why it’s so useful to ask at the end of the interview: “When are you hoping to let people know?”

If they gave you a date, wait until a day or two after it has passed. If they gave you nothing, about a week is a reasonable time before you check in.

Chasing politely

Hearing nothing is common and doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. Decisions get delayed, people go on holiday, other candidates get interviewed later. One short, friendly follow-up is completely normal.

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re well. I had an interview for the [Role] position on [day/date] and wanted to check whether there’s any news on a decision.

I’m still very interested in the role. Please let me know if you need anything further from me.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

If you still hear nothing after another week or so, it’s reasonable to send one final check-in, or simply to move on. Some employers, sadly, never reply to unsuccessful candidates. That says more about their process than about you.

A phone call is fine too, especially for smaller local employers like shops, cafés and garages, where the person who interviewed you might prefer it. Keep it brief: who you are, which job, when you were interviewed, and is there any news.

If they invite you back

A second interview or a trial shift means they’re seriously interested. Reply promptly and confirm the details.

Hi [Name],

Thank you, I’m really pleased to be invited back. I can confirm I’ll be there on [date] at [time].

Could you let me know who I’ll be meeting, and whether there’s anything I should bring or prepare?

Kind regards,
[Your name]

If it’s a trial shift, it’s sensible to ask how long it is and whether it’s paid. Expectations vary between employers, so asking clearly is better than guessing.

Keep going while you wait

The hardest thing about waiting is that it can stop you doing anything else. Don’t let one application put everything on hold. Keep looking and applying. If you get two offers, that’s a good problem to have. Our application tracker helps you keep track of what you’ve sent and when to chase.

And if the answer is no

Sometimes you’ll do everything right and still not get the job. That’s genuinely disappointing, and it’s not the same as failing. We’ve written a separate guide on what to do when you don’t get the job, including how to ask for feedback.