Short answer: wait about one week after the application deadline, or 7 to 10 working days after applying if there is no deadline, then send one short email to the recruiter or hiring manager. Name the role and requisition number, restate in one or two sentences why you fit, and ask whether there is an update on the timeline. If there is no reply after another week or so, send one final note and then move on. Two follow-ups is the sensible limit.
Most applications get no reply. That is not a reflection on you; recruiters often handle dozens of open roles and hundreds of applicants each. A well-timed follow-up will not rescue a weak application, but it can bring a good one back to the top of the pile, and occasionally it gets you an honest answer so you can stop waiting. Below are the timings, where to find the right person, and templates you can adapt.
When to follow up
| Situation | When to send the first follow-up |
|---|---|
| Posting had a closing date | About 5 to 7 working days after the closing date |
| No closing date | 7 to 10 working days after applying |
| You were referred by someone inside | About a week after applying; ask your contact first |
| After a phone screen or interview | Thank-you note within 24 hours; follow-up after the date they gave you passes |
| Recruiter gave a specific timeline | One or two working days after that date |
Following up the day after applying looks impatient and is unlikely to be read. Waiting six weeks usually means the shortlist is long since decided.
Who to send it to
A follow-up to a generic careers inbox is rarely read. In order of preference:
- The recruiter named on the posting or in the confirmation email.
- The hiring manager, if you can identify them confidently, for example the head of the team on the company website.
- A recruiter for that team on LinkedIn. Search for the company name with "talent acquisition" or "recruiter" and your field.
- A contact who referred you, who may be able to check the internal system directly.
Avoid guessing email addresses and blasting several people at once. One well-targeted message beats five generic ones.
What a good follow-up includes
- A clear subject line with the job title and, if you have it, the requisition number.
- One sentence of context: what you applied for and when.
- One or two sentences of fit: a specific result or skill that matches the role, not a list of adjectives.
- A simple question: is there an update on timing, or is there anything else they need from you?
- Nothing else. Under 120 words is ideal.
Template 1: first follow-up after applying
Subject: Application for [Job title] | [Requisition number] | [Your name]
Hi [Name],
I applied for the [job title] role on [date] and wanted to check in on the timeline. I'm particularly interested because [one specific reason connected to the team or product].
In my current role at [company] I [one concrete result, e.g. "cut month-end reporting time from five days to two by rebuilding our Excel models in Power BI"], which seems close to what the posting describes.
Is there an update you can share, or anything else I can send to help?
Thanks,
[Your name]
[Phone] | [LinkedIn URL]
Template 2: following up through LinkedIn
Hi [Name], I applied for the [job title] role ([requisition number]) on [date]. I have [X years] in [field] and recently [specific achievement]. If you're the right person for this role, I'd appreciate knowing whether it's still moving and whether my application is being considered. Thanks either way.
LinkedIn connection notes have a character limit, so keep this version tight. If you are not connected, a short InMail or a connection request with the note works.
Template 3: second and final follow-up
Subject: Re: Application for [Job title] | [Your name]
Hi [Name],
Just following up once more on my application for [job title]. I'm still very interested, but I understand if the role has moved on. If it's been filled, I'd be grateful for a quick note so I can update my plans, and I'd welcome being considered for similar roles in future.
Best regards,
[Your name]
This message gives the recruiter an easy way to close the loop, which is why it often gets a reply when the first one didn't.
Template 4: follow-up after an interview
Subject: Following up | [Job title] interview on [date]
Hi [Name],
Thank you again for the conversation on [date]. You mentioned you hoped to make a decision by [date], so I wanted to check in. I enjoyed hearing about [specific topic from the interview] and remain keen on the role.
Please let me know if you need anything further from me.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
Mistakes that make follow-ups backfire
- Guilt or pressure. "I haven't heard anything, which is disappointing" makes the recruiter less likely to reply, not more.
- Attaching your CV again without being asked. They already have it. Link to a portfolio instead if it adds something new.
- Following up on every channel at once. Email, LinkedIn and a phone call in the same week is too much.
- Generic copy-paste text. "I am a hard-working team player" adds nothing. Use one real example.
- Spelling the name wrong. Check it twice.
Check the portal before you write
If the employer uses an applicant tracking system, log in first and check your status. If it already says "Not Selected" or the application is inactive, a follow-up is unlikely to change the outcome, though a short note asking to be considered for similar roles is still reasonable. Our guide to Workday application statuses explains the common labels.
What to do when nobody replies
Silence after two follow-ups is an answer, even if it is a rude one. Mark the application as closed in your tracker and spend the energy elsewhere. A few things help over time:
- Apply earlier. Many roles are filled from the first week of applicants.
- Prioritise roles where you can find a named person.
- Use referrals where you can; they are typically read faster.
- Look at local employers who hire directly. Our guide to finding nearby jobs that are actually hiring covers that route, and our USPS careers guide is a good example of a large employer with a clear process.
When you do get an offer, agree the start date around your notice period and do not resign until it is in writing.
Keep a simple tracker
Following up well depends on knowing what you sent and when. A plain spreadsheet with these columns is enough: company, role, requisition number, date applied, contact name, date of first follow-up, date of second follow-up, current status, and notes. Sort it by "date applied" every Monday and you will see at a glance which applications are due a follow-up and which should be closed. It also stops the embarrassing mistake of chasing a role you already withdrew from or were rejected for.
Many readers tell us the tracker changed how the search felt. Instead of a vague sense of having applied "everywhere" with no result, they could see real numbers: forty applications, nine follow-ups, three replies, one interview. That makes it easier to judge what is working. If follow-ups to named recruiters get replies and follow-ups to generic inboxes do not, you know where to spend your time.
A note on tone across cultures
Directness is read differently around the world. In the US, UK and Australia a brief, friendly email with a clear question is normal. In parts of the Gulf, South Asia and East Asia, a slightly more formal greeting ("Dear Mr Khan" rather than "Hi Imran") is safer for a first contact. When unsure, mirror the style of the job posting or of any email the employer has already sent you.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait before following up on a job application?
About a week after the closing date, or 7 to 10 working days after applying if there is no closing date. If the recruiter gave you a timeline, wait until it passes.
Is it unprofessional to follow up on a job application?
No. A single polite, specific follow-up is normal and many recruiters expect it. It becomes unprofessional only when it is frequent, pushy or sent across several channels at once.
How many times should I follow up?
Twice at most: one follow-up and one final note about a week later. After that, assume the answer is no and move on.
Should I call instead of emailing?
Email is better in most cases because recruiters can reply when they have time. A call can work for small local employers, especially in trades, retail and hospitality, where a manager may prefer it.
What subject line should a follow-up email have?
Include the job title, the requisition number if there is one, and your name, for example "Application for Data Analyst | R12345 | Sara Ahmed". It makes your message easy to find and match.
We publish practical guidance, separate evidence from guarantees and encourage readers to verify current rules with official sources.
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