Following Up After a Job Application: When and How
When to follow up, whether by email or phone, sample messages you can adapt, and the mistakes that turn a follow-up into nagging.
You sent your application ten days ago and you haven’t heard anything. Should you follow up? Yes, in most cases. A polite, short follow-up shows your interest in the role, reminds a busy recruiter of your application, and sometimes gets you a response that would never have come otherwise.
Here’s when to follow up, how to do it, sample emails and phone scripts, and what to avoid.
When should you follow up?
| Situation | Recommended timing |
|---|---|
| Response to a job posting | 7 to 10 business days after sending |
| Unsolicited application | 10 to 15 days after sending |
| After an interview | After the stated decision date, or one week with no news |
| Posting with a deadline | A few days after the deadline |
One follow-up is usually enough. A second one, one to two weeks later, is still acceptable for a job you really care about. Beyond that, move on.
Email or phone?
- Email is the safest option: it leaves a record, doesn’t interrupt anyone, and lets you attach your resume again.
- Phone is more direct and can set you apart, especially at small businesses, retail, and restaurants. Prepare what you’re going to say.
- LinkedIn can be a supplement if you know the recruiter and they’re active on the platform.
Sample follow-up emails
Follow-up after applying to a job posting
Subject: Follow-up: Application for Administrative Assistant, Ref. AA-112
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m reaching out regarding my application for the Administrative Assistant position, sent on March 12. I’m very interested in this role: managing client follow-ups and invoicing have been part of my responsibilities for seven years.
I’m available for an interview at your convenience. Please find my resume attached again.
Best regards,
Jessica Turner
(555) 123-4567
Follow-up after an unsolicited application
Subject: Following up on my unsolicited application: Retail Sales Associate
Hello,
I sent you my unsolicited application two weeks ago for a sales associate position. I’m still very interested in your store and would be happy to stop by and introduce myself if you’d like.
Best regards,
Ashley Brooks
(555) 234-5678
Follow-up after an interview
Subject: Following up on our interview on March 18
Hello Ms. Harris,
Thank you again for our conversation on March 18 about the Accountant position. Our discussion about digitizing your processes reinforced my desire to join your team.
I wanted to ask if you’ve been able to move forward in your hiring process. I’m available for any additional information you may need.
Best regards,
Michael Reed
(555) 901-2345
Following up by phone: the script
- Introduce yourself: “Hi, I’m Tyler Evans. I sent you my application for the server position on April 3.”
- Ask a simple question: “I wanted to check if you’d had a chance to review it.”
- Mention one strength in a sentence: “I have three years of experience in a busy restaurant and I’m available immediately.”
- Suggest next steps: “I can stop by to meet you whenever it works for you.”
Call mid-morning or mid-afternoon, never during service hours in restaurants. If you get voicemail, leave a short message with your name, the position, and your number.
What to avoid
- Following up too soon, two days after you send it.
- Following up too often: beyond two follow-ups, you risk coming across as pushy.
- A tone of reproach: “I still haven’t heard back” puts the recruiter on the defensive.
- An email that’s too long and repeats your entire resume.
- Forgetting to mention the position and the date you applied.
Use the follow-up to improve your resume
If your applications keep getting no response despite your follow-ups, the problem may be your resume.
Track your follow-ups
In your tracking spreadsheet, note the date of each application, the planned follow-up date, the channel you used, and the response you got. That way you’ll avoid following up twice with the same company or forgetting a promising application. You’ll also see which types of companies respond best to your follow-ups, which will help you focus your next applications.
Frequently asked questions
Can a follow-up hurt my application?
Not if it’s polite, short, and sent at the right time. It’s usually seen as a sign of motivation.
What should I do if the posting says “Only selected candidates will be contacted”?
A follow-up is still possible, but only one. If you hear nothing after that, assume you weren’t selected.
Should I follow up on an application I sent through a job board?
If you can find the recruiter’s or the company’s contact info, yes. A direct email follow-up can make your application stand out among hundreds of others.
Can I follow up on LinkedIn?
Yes, if you’ve identified the recruiter or the hiring manager. A short message that reminds them of your application is enough.
Should I follow up on a Saturday?
Better to avoid it. Send your follow-up on a weekday, preferably early in the morning, when the recruiter is going through their messages.
Before you follow up, take the chance to update your resume: with CVZeno, you can edit it in a few minutes and attach a brand-new PDF to your follow-up email.