How to Make a Follow-Up Call After an Interview

Stand out from other candidates by following up after your interview.

By Dillon Price, Monster Contributor

Waiting to hear back from a hiring manager can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re really excited about the position or just need a new job. While the hiring process is not known for its speed, you can open the lines of communication by following up with the hiring manager with a thank you note, an email, a LinkedIn message, or phone call.

So what’s the best way to make a follow-up call after an interview? Is calling after an interview old-fashioned and annoying, or is it a way to show passion for a job?

Read on to learn how to make a follow-up call after an interview in a timely and professional manner.

Why Should You Call After an Interview?

Following up with an email may be an easier way to let employers know that you’re still interested in a job. You may also be more inclined to send an email to avoid bothering an employer or cutting into their time. That’s perfectly understandable.

But a phone call puts you in direct contact with a hiring manager and shows that you’ve gone the extra mile to remind them that you’re ready and willing to start when they are. Speaking with someone over the phone is also more personable than an email and can give employers the sense that you’re genuine, earnest, and driven.

Employers receive tons of follow-up emails. When you take the road less traveled, you stand out from everyone else they’ve interviewed.

A follow-up call after an interview can help put you ahead of the competition in the following ways:

  • Reminds hiring managers why you’re a good fit for the job.
  • Leaves a lasting impression on hiring managers by resurfacing you as a candidate.
  • Allows you to ask questions about the employer that you didn’t ask during the interview.

How to Make a Follow-Up Call After an Interview

In the age of email and TikTok, talking on the phone is something of a lost art form. So, if you find yourself struggling to remember basic phone etiquette, know you’re not alone. Lots of people get nervous talking on the phone, especially when a job is at stake.

The best way to get through an important phone call is to have a plan in place before you dial. Here’s exactly when and how to place a follow-up call after an interview.

1. First, Send an Email

Send a post-interview thank-you email within 24 hours after an interview to show off your communication skills and your enthusiasm. This should be a brief letter that thanks the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the company and the job. It also helps to mention a question or discussion from the interview that stood out to you.

2. Wait for the Right Time to Call

A hiring manager may give you a timeline about when you’ll hear back for a follow-up interview or job offer. But don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear back within that timeframe. Hiring managers often get busy and sidetracked by other high-priority tasks.

It’s best practice to give employers at least one week to contact you. If you don’t hear back by then, consider following up with them. Calling an employer too soon could show a lack of patience and hurt your chances of hearing back. But don’t wait any longer than two weeks, as this could hurt your chances of making your case one last time before the hiring decision has been made.

3. Find Out Who to Call

The last thing you want to do when following up after an interview is contact the wrong person such as a human resources manager or in-house recruiter. It’s always best practice to contact the hiring manager who conducted the interview.

4. Get a Phone Number

Don’t have the recruiter or hiring manager’s phone number? There’s no need to worry. If you’ve been corresponding with a recruiter or hiring manager by email before the interview, check below the closing salutation. Here, you’ll likely find the party’s name, professional title, phone number, and other contact information.

If you don’t have any luck finding it, you can search for the hiring manager’s phone number on the company website or LinkedIn. If all else fails, you can contact HR to find a hiring manager’s number.

5. Determine the Best Day and Time to Call

Not sure when to make a follow-up call after an interview? Consider the recruiter or hiring manager’s schedule. If you hope to reach anyone by phone, Mondays may not be the best day to call, since hiring managers may be busy processing applications submitted over the weekend. Avoid Fridays too, since hiring managers may leave the office early.

It’s best to call Tuesday through Thursday during the late morning, after a hiring manager has caught up on their morning emails and before lunch.

6. Practice What You’ll Say

Practice makes perfect. So before you dial, put some time and thought into what you want to say. Here are a few pointers.

A hiring manager may have interviewed dozens of candidates for a job. To refresh their memory during your phone call, you’ll need to provide specific details such as your name, the job title you interviewed for, and the interview date. You should then:

  • reaffirm your interest in the job.
  • express gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about the company.
  • mention the things you like the most about the company.
  • thank the hiring manager for their time.
  • provide your contact information and availability.

7. Follow Up Again

If you’ve already followed up with an employer via phone, we don’t recommend overwhelming them with repeated phone calls. Instead, consider waiting another week and following up through email or LinkedIn.

What to Say When Following Up With a Phone Call After an Interview

Knowing what to say before you make that follow-up call can help you to avoid stumbling, using the wrong words, or forgetting what you wanted to say. Before you call, write a script for yourself with everything you want to say. You don’t have to read it word-for-word (in fact, it sounds more natural if you don’t!), but having a script in front of you will help to jog your memory if you get lost.

Below, you’ll find simple call and voicemail scripts you can practice with.

Sample Scripts for a Follow-Up Phone Call

Here are a couple of scripts you could use when following up by phone. Of course, leave room for the hiring manager to respond and ask questions. This will help your conversation to flow naturally.

“Good morning/afternoon [hiring manager’s name]. My name is [your name]. I interviewed with you for the [job title] position on [date]. I’d like to thank you for taking the time to interview me and I enjoyed our discussion about the company’s goals. I’m reaching out to you for an update on the position and the status of the hiring process. I’m very interested in the opportunity to work for [company name] and would be happy to answer any additional questions you have.”

“Good morning/afternoon [hiring manager’s name]. This is [your name] following up with you on the hiring timeline for the [job title] position at [company name]. I enjoyed interviewing with you on [date] and learning more about the position and the company’s vision. I’m eager to become a part of it and feel that my skills, qualities, and credentials align with the company’s goals. I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to speak with me and would be glad to answer any questions you may have.”

Sample Scripts for a Follow-Up Voicemail

Voicemails should be brief, concise, and provide a call to action. Here are a couple of voicemail scripts to get you started:

“Hello [hiring manager’s name]. My name is [your name] and I’m following up about the [job title] position at [company name]. I interviewed with you on [date] and was very impressed with the company’s workplace culture and goals. I feel that I would be a great fit for [company name] and look forward to hearing from you with an update. Feel free to contact me at 555-555-5555.”

“Good afternoon/evening [hiring manager’s name]. This is [your name] calling about the [job title] position at [company name]. I enjoyed interviewing with you on [date] and discussing the company’s vision. I would be happy to join your team and feel that I would be a great fit. Please contact me at 555-555-5555 with an update on the hiring status at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time.”

The Do’s and Don’ts of Making a Follow-Up Call After an Interview

The course of action you take after an interview can either boost or hurt your chances of getting a job offer. Here are quick tips for what you should and shouldn’t do when following up with a potential employer.

Do’s

Here’s what you should do when following up with a hiring manager after an interview:

  • Be patient.
  • Prepare a script in advance, so you know what you’re going to say before you call.
  • Start with a brief introduction, so a hiring manager knows which candidate you are.
  • Thank the hiring manager for their time.
  • Help a hiring manager recall who you are by mentioning something discussed in the interview.
  • Discuss the positive experiences of the interview that stood out to you the most.
  • Politely request an update on your application status and hiring process.
  • Leave a voicemail if you don’t receive an answer.

Don’ts

Don’t want to ruin your chances of getting hired? Avoid doing the following:

  • Be pushy and complain that you haven’t heard back with the next decision.
  • Directly ask the hiring manager what the decision is.
  • Lie about other job offers.
  • Mention other candidates or ask about other interviews.
  • Fail to identify yourself in a call.
  • Call the general number instead of contacting the hiring manager directly.
  • Not know what to say before calling.

Don’t Phone It in on Your Job Search

So, you’ve met with a hiring manager and conducted a follow-up call after an interview, but still haven’t heard back. Don’t be discouraged. Set up your profile for free at Monster to apply for more jobs that interest you. We’ll connect your resume with job recruiters looking for candidates like you. Sooner or later, you’ll be the one getting a call back with a job offer!