There is a short window after an interview where a message can still help you, and almost nobody uses it. Sending three sentences the same day costs nothing and puts your name in front of them once more while they are still deciding.
Send a short thank you the same day, or the next morning at the latest. Email, or WhatsApp if that is how they have been contacting you.
"Thank you for seeing me today about the cashier position. I enjoyed hearing how the shift handover works, and I am still very keen. If you need anything else from me, my number is 0XX XXX XXXX."
That is all it has to do. It is short, it names the job, it mentions one real thing from the conversation so they know which candidate you are, and it repeats your number.
Ask when to expect an answer, if they did not say. One line at the end of the same message: "When would you expect to let people know?" That single question saves you two weeks of checking your phone.
If the date passes, follow up once. Once, politely, and then let it go. Chasing repeatedly does not turn a no into a yes, and it can turn a maybe into a no.
If the answer is no, or never comes. That is the most common ending, and it is covered properly in Work-Ready Essentials, in the lesson on handling a no. It is worth reading, because what a rejection does and does not mean is a bigger subject than this course.
The one thing to do here: if you reached the interview, you may ask for feedback once. Keep it short and easy to answer. "Thank you for letting me know. If there is one thing I could improve for next time, I would be glad to hear it." Some will reply, and what they say is worth more than anything on this page. Most will not, and that is not a second rejection.
Is a thank you message not a bit much?
Almost nobody sends one, which is precisely the point. It costs nothing, it puts your name in front of them once more while they are deciding, and no employer has ever thought worse of a candidate for a polite three line message.
They said they would call and never did
That is the most common ending and it is about them, not you. Follow up once after the date they gave. If there is still nothing, treat it as a no and put your effort into the next application. Waiting for a reply that is not coming costs more than any single job is worth.
I keep reaching interviews and never getting the job
Reaching interviews repeatedly means your CV and your applications are working, which is the harder half. Ask for feedback at the next one, and come back through this course rather than assuming it is hopeless. In most cases the gap is one specific thing, often the questions you ask at the end or the shape of your first answer, and both are fixable in an evening.
Before you move on
- Send a three line thank you the same day
- Ask when they expect to decide
- Ask once for feedback if you were interviewed
Check what you know
4 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.
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