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There’s nothing like reading a job listing and feeling like it could be the perfect fit. So, you apply…and then it’s crickets. That silence is all too common during a job search. The hiring process can stretch on for weeks, sometimes even months, and it’s not always clear when or how to follow up.
That’s why knowing how to follow up on a job application is so important. When should you reach out? What should you say? And how do you say it without sounding too eager?
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to follow up on job applications professionally and confidently, including:
- When and how to follow up
- Tips for writing effective follow-up emails (with a sample email)
- Example scripts for phone calls and voicemails
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5 Things to Consider When Following Up on a Job Application
Before you reach out to a prospective employer, make sure it’s the right time and you use the right approach.
As FlexJobs’ Manager, Career Expert Toni Frana advises:
“Pay attention to dates or timelines that may be included in the posting. In the job posting, a company may mention when the application window closes. Once you apply, you wouldn’t want to follow up prior to that date. Instead, use the opportunity to keep applying for other positions!”
Make these five considerations before following up:
- Reread the job listing . Look for timelines or instructions about follow-ups. Some companies will specify when or how to reach out, and making a good impression means closely following these instructions.
- Follow directions . Likewise, if the listing asks applicants not to call or email, respect that. Following up after an employer has specifically asked applicants not to may make you appear pushy and unprofessional.
- Time it right . Wait one to two weeks to reach out, unless the posting notes a specific application closing window.
- Pick the right day . Aim for Tuesday through Thursday to improve the likelihood that your follow-up message is seen. Avoid Mondays and Fridays, when emails are more likely to be missed.
- Use your network . Find out if your connections know someone at the company, and ask for insights or a referral.
6 Essential Tips for Following Up on a Job Application
Once you’ve established you can and should follow up on your job application, make sure you do so the right way with these tips.
1. Be Professional
Just because you sent in your application or spoke with the hiring manager doesn’t mean that you’re buddies. Being overly personal or casual is a mistake.
Recruiters and hiring managers are friendly, and it’s their job to talk to several people about a position, but they don’t have time to become friends with everyone they interview. Even if your initial interaction was excellent, be professional and respect personal boundaries when following up on job applications.
2. Find the Right Email Address
When following up by email, if at all possible, you’ll want to send your email directly to the hiring manager rather than to a general email address (“jobs@xyz.com”). If you’re lucky, the address will be posted on the original job listing. If not, finding the hiring manager’s email may require a bit of detective work.
Find the company’s page on LinkedIn, click on “People,” and search for the hiring manager (or someone with a comparable title if you’re not sure of the name) to see if they have their email address on their profile.
3. Be Brief
It’s a good idea to know what you’re going to say before following up on a job application. So, whether you opt to call the hiring manager, draft an email, or send a LinkedIn message, try to keep your contact as brief as possible.
“It’s important to keep your correspondence short, as hiring managers and recruiters are likely receiving emails and notes from dozens of other candidates, so brevity is key. Your email or note should express two key things: your continued interest in the job and a question about when candidates can expect to hear about next steps,” says Frana.
4. Ask a Follow-Up Question
Sure, what you really want to find out is whether you got the gig or not. To justify your follow-up, however, you might want to pose a question to the employer.
If they’re still accepting applications, ask when they expect to start narrowing down their decisions and when interviews will begin. Doing so can give you an idea of when you can expect to hear back about your job application .
5. Get Social
Jump on the social media bandwagon and follow companies on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and the like.
As Frana explains:
“In today’s job market, companies want to find an employee with the right professional skill set and someone who fits in with the company culture. Showing and expressing interest in the company can be done by engaging with them on social media.
Follow the company page on LinkedIn and other platforms. ‘Like’ and comment on their posts, as this shows the team you’re enthused about what they’re doing.”
6. Let Them Know You’re in Demand
If a company has expressed interest in you, but you haven’t heard anything since your initial contact, you can try to speed up the hiring process by letting them know other companies are interested in you, but only if that’s true.
“If you do have other companies interested in you, but you’re interested in a particular position, you can think about letting them know you’re in demand. Simply stating in your job application follow-up email that you continue to be very interested in the position but are also exploring other opportunities can be a gentle way to nudge a company along,” says Frana.
Don’t use any sort of threatening language, and be careful that you don’t come off as egotistical. Otherwise, subtly letting employers know you’re in demand can be a smart tactic, as it may encourage them to look at you more seriously and move things along in the process.
How to Write a Follow-Up Email After Your Job Application (Sample)
If you’ve applied for a job and haven’t heard back after two weeks, it’s OK to send a professional follow-up email after applications to inquire about the current status.
Use this sample email message as a guide for how to write a follow-up email and check your application status while reinforcing your enthusiasm and qualifications.
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Sample: Job Application Follow-Up Email Template
Subject: Following Up on Marketing Coordinator Application
Hello/Dear/Good Afternoon, Ms. Harper,
I’m writing to follow up on the application I submitted on May 7th for the marketing coordinator position with [Company Name] and to reiterate how interested I am in talking to the hiring team about this particular role.
As mentioned in the job description, you’re in need of a proactive self-starter with great communication skills, and I hope this follow-up serves as evidence of both. I also bring three years of related experience in marketing, and I’m truly excited about the work being done at [Company Name]. It would be my pleasure to assist the marketing team in their efforts to [objective from the job ad].
Thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to review my application. I know the time and effort that takes. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
[Your Name]
Examples of How to Follow Up on Your Job Application by Phone
If you haven’t heard back about your job application after two weeks, it’s perfectly acceptable to call the hiring manager (unless the listing states otherwise). Depending on whether someone picks up the phone or you have to leave a voicemail, you’ll need different strategies.
Example 1: What to Say When Following Up on a Job Application
If someone answers your call, keep the conversation polite and brief. This sample script can guide your follow-up:
Hello, this is [Your Name], and I’m an applicant for the [position].
Wait for a response. Follow their lead, but it may be appropriate to say something like this next:
I wanted to confirm that you received my application and see if there’s any additional information I can provide. I don’t want to interrupt or take up too much time, though!
Then, let them respond. They’ll let you know if they have time to talk. If you choose this route, be prepared with two to three specific questions or points of conversation. Be concise and thank them for their time.
If they say they’re in the preliminary stages of vetting candidates and going through applications, you can ask if they know a timeline for when they’ll be in touch with candidates. If you don’t receive a phone call or an email during the period specified, you’re probably not a contender for the position, and it may be time to move on.
Example 2: What to Say in a Voicemail Message to Follow Up on a Job Application
If you reach voicemail, don’t worry. A quick, professional message can still make a positive impression.
Here’s an example of what to say in a voicemail message:
Hello, this is [Your Name]. I’m following up on the application I submitted on [date] for [position]. I wanted to reiterate my interest in the role and tell you I’m more than happy to clarify or expand on any of the info I sent. If you’d like to call me back, my phone number is [X]. Thank you so much for your time, and have a great day!
In either scenario, take advantage of the opportunity without being pushy. Remember, be brief and professional.
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Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com .
