How to Follow Up on a Job Application

You’ve crafted the perfect resume, written a compelling cover letter, and clicked submit on what feels like your dream job. Now begins what many job seekers find most challenging: the wait. Days pass without response, then weeks. You check your email obsessively, wonder if your application was even received, and debate whether following up would demonstrate initiative or seem desperate.

This waiting game is one of the most psychologically difficult aspects of job searching. The uncertainty can be maddening, especially when you’ve invested significant effort into an application and genuinely want the position. Following up feels necessary—but the fear of annoying the hiring manager or appearing desperate holds many candidates back.

Here’s the truth: thoughtful, well-timed follow-ups are not only acceptable but often appreciated. They demonstrate genuine interest, help you stand out from candidates who never follow up, and can move your application from the bottom of a pile to the top of someone’s attention. The key lies in how you follow up—the timing, the tone, the channel, and the content of your message.

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about following up on job applications effectively. You’ll learn when to reach out, what to say, how to persist without pestering, and how to handle various responses (including no response at all). By mastering the follow-up, you’ll take control of your job search rather than passively waiting for fate to decide.

Understanding Why Following Up Matters

Before diving into tactics, let’s understand why following up is worth your effort.

Applications get lost or overlooked regularly. High-volume positions may receive hundreds of applications, and even qualified candidates can slip through cracks. A follow-up can rescue an application that was missed, bring your candidacy back to attention, or prompt a decision that’s been delayed.

Following up demonstrates genuine interest. Many candidates apply to positions passively, submitting applications without real enthusiasm. Your follow-up signals that you actually want this job specifically, not just any job.

The squeaky wheel sometimes gets greased. When hiring managers have too many qualified candidates and need to make decisions, they often prioritize candidates who’ve demonstrated engagement and initiative. Your follow-up can tip the balance.

You gain information either way. Even if your follow-up doesn’t change the outcome, it may provide useful information about where you stand, the timeline, or why you weren’t selected—information that helps you improve future applications.

Professional relationships can develop from follow-ups. Even if you don’t get this job, a well-executed follow-up can create a positive impression that leads to future opportunities, referrals, or connections.

That said, following up ineffectively can hurt your candidacy. Poorly timed, overly aggressive, or inappropriately casual follow-ups can annoy hiring managers and eliminate otherwise strong candidates. The goal is to follow up in ways that help, not hurt.

Timing Your Follow-Up

When to follow up depends on several factors, but general guidelines help you strike the right balance.

After applying without any response, wait one to two weeks before your first follow-up. This gives the hiring team time to review applications while demonstrating that you’re not willing to be forgotten. For roles that specified an application deadline, wait until after that deadline passes before following up.

After a phone screen or initial interview, follow up within 24 hours with a thank-you note. This isn’t really a status follow-up—it’s expected professional courtesy. If you haven’t heard back within the timeframe they mentioned, follow up one to two days after that timeframe passes.

After an in-person interview, send thank-you notes within 24 hours to each person you interviewed with. If they gave you a timeline for decisions and that timeline passes without word, follow up one to two business days later.

After a second or final round interview, the stakes are higher and the relationship more established. Follow up within 24 hours with thoughtful thank-yous, then allow the stated timeline before following up again.

When a deadline or timeline passes, it’s completely appropriate to follow up immediately. “You mentioned a decision by Friday—I wanted to check in on timing” is reasonable and expected.

When you have a competing offer and need to make a decision, communicate this honestly. “I’ve received another offer with a deadline, but your position is my first choice—is there any way to expedite your process?”

Never follow up multiple times in the same week unless you have genuinely new information to share or urgent circumstances require it.

Choosing Your Follow-Up Channel

How you reach out matters almost as much as what you say.

Email is typically the safest and most professional choice for most follow-ups. It’s non-intrusive, allows the recipient to respond at their convenience, creates a written record, and is the standard communication channel in most professional contexts.

LinkedIn can work for follow-ups, especially if you applied through LinkedIn, if you have a connection to the person you’re contacting, or if email attempts have gone unanswered. Keep LinkedIn messages professional—they’re more visible and less private than email.

Phone calls are more intrusive and should generally be reserved for situations where you have a relationship with the person, have been invited to call, or have attempted email multiple times without response. Some industries and roles have cultures where phone follow-ups are more normal.

In-person follow-ups are rarely appropriate for job applications, though they may work in certain contexts like small businesses, local retail, or situations where you have a pre-existing relationship.

Direct messages on other platforms (Twitter, Instagram, etc.) are generally inappropriate for job search follow-ups unless the company or individual has specifically used that platform for recruiting communication.

When in doubt, email is your safest choice. It’s professional, non-intrusive, and expected.

Crafting Your Follow-Up Message

The content of your follow-up matters enormously. A good follow-up is brief, professional, specific, and adds value beyond merely asking for status.

Start with a clear, specific subject line. If you’re emailing, your subject line should reference the position: “Following up: Marketing Manager application - [Your Name]” or “Application status inquiry - Senior Developer position.”

Open with context. Briefly remind them who you are and what position you applied for: “I submitted my application for the Marketing Manager position on October 15th and wanted to follow up.”

Express continued interest. Briefly reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company: “I remain very excited about this opportunity to contribute to [Company]‘s growth strategy.”

Add value if possible. Rather than just asking for status, consider adding something useful: “I noticed your company just announced [news]. I’d love to discuss how my background in [relevant area] could support that initiative.”

Ask a specific, easy-to-answer question. Rather than the vague “Do you have any updates?”, try something specific: “Could you share any insight into your timeline for next steps?” or “Is there any additional information I could provide to support my application?”

Close professionally. Thank them for their time and consideration, express willingness to provide additional information, and include your contact information.

Keep it short. The entire message should be readable in under a minute. Hiring managers don’t have time for lengthy follow-ups.

Email Templates for Different Scenarios

Here are templates you can adapt for various situations.

Template: First follow-up after no response to initial application

Subject: Following up: [Position Title] Application - [Your Name]

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I submitted my application for the [Position Title] position on [Date] and wanted to follow up to express my continued interest in this opportunity.

I’m particularly excited about [specific aspect of role or company you researched], and I believe my experience in [relevant experience] would enable me to contribute meaningfully to [company goal or project].

I understand hiring processes take time, and I don’t want to be a bother. However, I wanted to ensure my application was received and to reiterate my enthusiasm for this role. If there’s any additional information I could provide to support my candidacy, please let me know.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to discuss how I might contribute to your team.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Phone Number] [LinkedIn URL]

Template: Follow-up when promised timeline has passed

Subject: Checking in: [Position Title] - Timeline Update

Dear [Interviewer/Recruiter Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me about the [Position Title] position on [interview date]. I genuinely enjoyed learning about [specific topic from interview].

You mentioned that a decision might be made by [date/timeframe]. Since that time has passed, I wanted to check in to see if there are any updates on your timeline or if there’s any additional information I could provide.

I remain very excited about this opportunity and am confident I could contribute to [specific goal discussed]. Please let me know if you need anything further from me.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Phone Number]

Template: Follow-up with competing offer

Subject: [Position Title] - Update on My Search Timeline

Dear [Contact Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out with an update regarding my job search.

I’ve received another offer with a decision deadline of [date]. However, the [Position Title] role at [Company] remains my first choice, and I wanted to communicate openly about my timeline.

I understand hiring decisions can’t always be accelerated, and I don’t want to pressure your process. However, if there’s any possibility of receiving an update before [date], I would greatly appreciate it. If the timing simply doesn’t work, I completely understand.

Thank you for your understanding and for the opportunity to be considered.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Phone Number]

Using platforms like 0portfolio.com to organize your job applications helps you track where you’ve applied, when you applied, and when to follow up—preventing the common problem of losing track of applications across multiple opportunities.

Handling Different Responses

How you respond to their response (or lack thereof) continues to shape their impression of you.

If they respond positively with next steps, express appreciation, confirm your continued interest, and immediately complete whatever they’ve asked. Prompt, professional response to positive news reinforces your candidacy.

If they respond with “still deciding” or general updates without clear next steps, thank them for the update, reiterate your interest, and ask if there’s a better time to check back: “Thank you for the update. When would be an appropriate time to check in again?”

If they respond with rejection, handle it gracefully. Thank them for their consideration, express disappointment professionally, ask for feedback if appropriate, and leave the door open for future opportunities: “While I’m disappointed, I appreciate your consideration. If you have a moment, I’d welcome any feedback on my application. I’d also be grateful to be considered for future positions that match my background.”

If they don’t respond at all after your first follow-up, wait another week or two before trying one more time. Silence isn’t necessarily rejection—people get busy, emails get buried, and hiring processes get delayed. A second (and usually final) follow-up is acceptable.

If they continue not responding after multiple attempts, accept that you likely won’t hear back. Some companies simply don’t respond to candidates they’re not advancing. Don’t take it personally, and focus your energy on other opportunities.

How Often to Follow Up

Persistence shows interest, but there’s a line between persistent and pestering.

For applications without any response, two to three follow-ups total is typically the maximum before you should move on. Space them at least one to two weeks apart.

After interviews, you generally have more established contact and can follow up more frequently—but still space follow-ups at least a week apart unless you have new information or urgent circumstances.

If you receive “we’re still deciding” responses, one follow-up per their suggested timeframe is appropriate. If they say “we’ll know in two weeks,” wait two weeks then follow up once.

Never follow up more than once per week for the same application, and rarely more than three to four times total throughout the entire process (not counting interview thank-yous).

The cadence also depends on how far you’ve progressed. One follow-up after an initial application is appropriate; more than that risks being annoying. After multiple interviews and invested time, more follow-up is expected and reasonable.

Finding the Right Person to Contact

Who you follow up with affects how your message is received.

If you have a specific contact from the application process—a recruiter who called you, a hiring manager you interviewed with—follow up with them directly.

If you applied through an online system with no specific contact, try to identify the hiring manager through LinkedIn, the company website, or research. Addressing your follow-up to a specific person is more effective than sending it into a generic inbox.

If you can’t identify the hiring manager, HR contacts or recruiting team members are appropriate targets. Reaching out to the right person shows initiative and increases the chances of a response.

Avoid going around or above the person you’ve been working with. If a recruiter has been your contact, don’t bypass them to reach the hiring manager directly without good reason—this can create friction and reflect poorly on you.

If you have a referral or connection at the company, consider asking them to check on your status internally. This is often more effective than cold follow-ups and comes with built-in credibility.

Phone Follow-Up Scripts

When phone follow-ups are appropriate, having a script helps you stay focused and professional.

Script: General status follow-up

“Hi, this is [Your Name]. I submitted an application for the [Position Title] position on [date] and wanted to follow up to check on the status of my application.

[If you get a person]: “I’m very interested in this opportunity and wanted to see if there’s any update on where you are in the process, or if there’s any additional information I could provide.”

[If you get voicemail]: “I recently applied for the [Position Title] position and wanted to express my continued interest. I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you about my application. My number is [number]. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

Script: Follow-up after interview

“Hi, this is [Your Name]. I interviewed for the [Position Title] position on [date] and wanted to follow up.

You mentioned you’d be making a decision by [date], and I wanted to check in to see if there are any updates. I remain very excited about this opportunity and wanted to reiterate my interest.

Is there any additional information I could provide, or can you share any insight into your timeline?”

Keep phone calls brief and professional. Get to the point quickly, be respectful of their time, and don’t push for answers they’re not prepared to give.

Following Up Through Networking

Sometimes the best follow-up doesn’t come from you directly.

If you have connections at the company, ask them to check on your application or put in a good word. Internal referrals carry weight, and a colleague asking “Hey, did you see that application I sent over?” can move things forward.

If you met someone from the company at an event, this provides a natural touchpoint for follow-up: “It was great meeting you at [event]. As I mentioned, I applied for [position]—I wanted to follow up on my application and see if there’s anything else you’d recommend I do.”

LinkedIn connections can be leveraged for warm follow-ups. If you share a connection with someone at the company, you might ask for an introduction or mention the connection in your follow-up.

Networking follow-ups should feel natural, not transactional. Don’t burn relationship capital by making every interaction about your job application.

Managing the Emotional Aspect

Following up (and waiting for responses) is emotionally challenging. Here’s how to manage it.

Don’t take silence personally. Companies receive many applications and can’t respond to everyone. Lack of response often reflects their bandwidth, not your worth.

Follow up, then let go. Once you’ve sent a follow-up, focus on other applications and activities. Obsessing over one opportunity while neglecting others isn’t strategically smart.

Maintain your confidence. Rejection happens to everyone. The best candidates still face more rejection than acceptance in job searches. Your value doesn’t diminish because of unanswered applications.

Keep perspective on volume. If you’re applying to many positions, some percentage won’t respond. This is normal, not a reflection on you.

Celebrate small wins. Getting a response—even if it’s just “we’re still deciding”—is progress. Moving to the next round is a win. Stay positive about forward motion.

When to Stop Following Up

Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to follow up.

Stop after two to three unanswered follow-ups. If you’ve reached out multiple times with no response, continuing won’t help and may harm your reputation.

Stop when they explicitly tell you to. If they say “we’ve moved forward with other candidates” or “please don’t contact us again,” respect that boundary.

Stop when significantly time has passed. If months have passed since your application or interview with no contact, the opportunity has almost certainly closed.

Stop when continuing feels desperate or inappropriate. Trust your judgment. If you’re questioning whether another follow-up is appropriate, it probably isn’t.

Moving on doesn’t mean giving up entirely. You can reconnect months later when another relevant position opens, or when you have a natural reason to reach out. But for this specific application cycle, know when to stop.

Building a Follow-Up System

Systematic follow-up prevents opportunities from falling through cracks.

Track all applications and their status. Use a spreadsheet, job search app, or system to record where you’ve applied, when, and what follow-up actions you’ve taken.

Set reminders for follow-up timing. Don’t rely on memory. Calendar reminders or task management systems ensure you follow up at appropriate intervals.

Prepare templates in advance. Having follow-up templates ready makes the process faster and ensures consistent quality.

Block time for follow-ups. Dedicate specific time slots for job search administrative tasks including follow-ups, rather than doing them ad hoc.

Review and adjust your system. If you’re not getting responses, consider whether your follow-up timing, tone, or approach might need adjustment.

Conclusion

Following up on job applications is a skill that directly impacts your job search success. Thoughtful, well-timed follow-ups demonstrate interest, keep you top of mind, rescue overlooked applications, and provide valuable information about where you stand. Poor follow-ups—too aggressive, too frequent, too passive—can hurt your candidacy and reputation.

The key principles are simple: wait an appropriate amount of time (usually one to two weeks for initial follow-ups), keep messages brief and professional, add value beyond just asking for status, space subsequent follow-ups appropriately, and know when to stop.

Following up requires a balance of persistence and patience, confidence and humility, engagement and respect for others’ time. Master this balance, and you’ll transform from a passive applicant waiting for fate to decide into an active participant in your job search who takes appropriate initiative.

Your follow-up won’t guarantee you get every job you want—but it will ensure you’ve done everything within your control to give yourself the best chance. And in a competitive job market, that proactive approach can make all the difference.