How do you follow up on a job application?
A good follow-up is short, specific and easy to answer. Use these steps:
- Wait for the right moment. Give the employer one to two weeks, or until the posting closes.
- Find one contact. The recruiter or hiring manager for the role is best.
- Pick the channel. Email first. LinkedIn or a phone call can work in some cases.
- Write under 150 words. Name the job title, the date you applied and one reason you fit.
- Ask a simple question. “Is there an update on the timeline?” is easier to answer than “What do you think of my application?”
- Follow up once more, then stop. A second note a week later is enough.
When should you follow up on a job application?
| Situation | When to follow up |
|---|---|
| The posting lists a closing date | A few days after the closing date |
| No closing date listed | One to two weeks after you apply |
| A recruiter said you would hear back by a date | One or two business days after that date |
| You applied through a referral | About one week after you apply, and tell your referrer first |
| Small business or walk-in retail job | Three to five business days after you apply |
| The posting says no calls or emails | Do not follow up |
Send your email on a weekday morning. Messages sent late on Friday or over a weekend are easier to miss.
How do you find the right person to contact?
Look for a real name before you write to a general inbox:
- The job posting. Some postings list the recruiter or hiring manager.
- The application confirmation email. Replying to it often reaches the recruiting team.
- LinkedIn. Search the company name plus “recruiter” or “talent acquisition,” or look for the manager who leads the team you applied to.
- The company website. Team or leadership pages often list department heads.
- Anyone who already contacted you. If a recruiter reached out first, follow up with that person.
Pick one person. Sending the same note to five employees at once looks like spam and can hurt your chances.
Should you follow up by email, LinkedIn or phone?
| Channel | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Most office, corporate and remote jobs | Getting the address wrong; do not guess | |
| LinkedIn message | When you can find the recruiter but not their email | Keep it shorter than an email |
| Phone call | Small businesses, restaurants, retail, trades | Calling during a busy shift or rush hour |
| In person | Walk-in jobs where you applied on site | Large offices, which rarely welcome drop-ins |
What should a job application follow-up email include?
| Part | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject line | Job title, your name and the word “follow-up” | “Follow-up: Payroll Specialist application, Jordan Lee” |
| Greeting | The person’s name if you have it | “Hi Ms. Carter,” |
| Context | The job title and the date you applied | “I applied for the Payroll Specialist role on May 6.” |
| Value | One concrete reason you fit | “I process biweekly payroll for 140 employees.” |
| Question | One easy thing to answer | “Is there an update on the timeline?” |
| Sign-off | A polite closing and your phone number | “Best regards, Jordan Lee, (312) 555-0142” |
A few subject lines that work:
- “Following up: Marketing Coordinator application”
- “Checking in on my application for Data Analyst (Req. 4417)”
- “Application status: Shift Supervisor, Marcus Hill”
If the posting had a requisition or job ID number, include it. It helps a recruiter who manages many openings find your file in seconds.
6 templates to follow up on a job application
Change the names and details. Each template uses fictional people and companies.
1. Standard follow-up email
Subject: Following up: Marketing Coordinator application, Jordan Lee
Hi Ms. Carter,
I applied for the Marketing Coordinator position at Bluefin Marketing on March 3 and wanted to follow up. I am still very interested in the role, especially the focus on email campaigns, where I grew open rates by 18% in my current job.
Is there an update on the hiring timeline? I would be glad to send anything else you need.
Best regards,
Jordan Lee
(312) 555-0142
2. Follow-up email when someone referred you
Subject: Application for Data Analyst, referred by Sam Ortiz
Hi Mr. Patel,
Sam Ortiz on your finance team suggested I reach out. I applied for the Data Analyst role at Contoso on April 10, and I wanted to share my interest directly.
I build weekly sales dashboards in SQL and Tableau, which seems close to what the role calls for. Would you be open to a short call, or is there a better person to speak with about next steps?
Thank you for your time,
Taylor Nguyen
3. Second and final follow-up email
Subject: Re: Following up: Marketing Coordinator application
Hi Ms. Carter,
I wanted to check in once more about the Marketing Coordinator role. I understand hiring takes time, and I remain interested if the position is still open.
Thank you for considering my application. I hope to have the chance to speak with you.
Best regards,
Jordan Lee
4. LinkedIn connection request note
Hi Dana, I recently applied for the Customer Success Manager role at Fabrikam and would like to connect. I have five years of SaaS onboarding experience and would welcome any update on next steps. Thank you, Alex Rivera
5. LinkedIn message to a recruiter you are already connected with
Hi Dana,
I hope your week is going well. I applied for the Customer Success Manager role on May 2 and wanted to follow up. I led onboarding for about 60 accounts a quarter in my last role, and I am excited about Fabrikam’s plans to expand support into new regions.
Is there anything else I can share to help with your review?
Thanks,
Alex Rivera
6. Phone script and voicemail
Ask for the hiring manager by name, or ask who handles hiring for the role.
“Hi, this is Marcus Hill. I applied for the shift supervisor position last Tuesday and wanted to follow up. Is the store manager available for a minute, or is there a better time to call?”
If you reach the right person:
“Thank you for taking my call. I wanted to make sure you received my application and let you know I am still very interested. I have two years of experience opening and closing at Harborview Grocery, and I am available evenings and weekends. Is there anything else you need from me?”
If you get voicemail:
“Hi, this is Marcus Hill calling about the shift supervisor position. I applied on June 4 and am still very interested. You can reach me at (614) 555-0119. Thank you, and have a good day.”
Our phone interview tips help if the follow-up call turns into a screening on the spot.
What should you not do when following up?
- Do not follow up the day after you apply. It signals impatience.
- Do not send more than two follow-ups. Silence after two messages is an answer for now.
- Do not attach your resume again unless they ask. Mention the date you applied instead.
- Do not guilt the reader. Skip lines like “I have not heard anything, which is disappointing.”
- Do not contact people at home or through personal social media accounts.
- Do not show up unannounced at an office job. Walk-in follow-ups only suit walk-in employers.
- Do not forget the job title. Recruiters often fill several roles at once.
End every message with a clear question and a polite sign-off. Our guide on how to end an email professionally lists safe choices.
What if you never hear back?
Some employers never reply to applicants who are not moving forward. After two follow-ups, treat the application as closed and keep applying elsewhere.
Use the quiet time to improve your next application. Run your resume through the ATS keyword checker against your next posting, and sharpen your opening with these tips on how to start a cover letter.
If you land an interview, the rules change a little. Send a thank-you note within a day, then use a follow-up email after the interview if the decision date passes.