How long should I wait to follow up after submitting a job application?

Wait 7-10 business days after applying online before sending a follow-up. If you were referred by someone or applied via email directly, 5-7 business days is appropriate. If you met the employer at a job fair, follow up within 2-3 business days.

Is it okay to follow up on a job application more than once?

Yes, but limit it to two follow-ups. Send your first follow-up 7-10 business days after applying, then wait another 7-10 business days before a second attempt. After two follow-ups with no response, it's best to move on and focus on other opportunities.

What should I say in a job application follow-up email?

Keep it brief and professional. Mention the specific job title, your application date, a quick highlight of your relevant experience, and your continued interest. Add something specific about the company that shows you did your research. Always include your contact information.

Can following up on a job application hurt my chances?

Following up appropriately will not hurt your chances — it usually helps. However, following up too soon (within 1-2 days), too often (more than twice), or through multiple channels simultaneously can come across as pushy or desperate and may hurt your candidacy.

How to Follow Up After a Job Application | Email Templates

Q: Should I follow up by email or phone?

Email is generally the safest and most professional choice for following up on a job application. Phone follow-ups work well for smaller companies or roles where phone skills are important (like sales or customer service). Avoid using multiple channels on the same day.

You spent an hour tailoring your resume, wrote a cover letter that actually felt genuine, and hit submit. Then... nothing. Days pass. A week. Radio silence.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Most job applications disappear into an ATS black hole, and the waiting game is one of the most stressful parts of any job search. But here's the thing — a well-timed follow-up can pull your application out of that void and put it on a real person's desk.

This guide covers exactly when to follow up, how to do it without being annoying, and gives you ready-to-use email templates for every situation.

Should You Even Follow Up?

Short answer: yes. Almost always.

A follow-up email shows initiative, genuine interest, and professionalism. Hiring managers are busy — they're juggling dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applications alongside their regular work. Your follow-up isn't pushy. It's a reminder that you exist and you're serious about the role.

There are only two situations where you should not follow up:

The posting explicitly says "no calls or emails." Respect that boundary.
You applied through an automated system that confirms receipt. Even then, a follow-up after 1-2 weeks is still appropriate.

When to Send Your Follow-Up

Timing matters more than you might think. Too early and you look impatient. Too late and the position may already be filled.

The General Timeline

Situation	When to Follow Up
Applied online (no connection)	7-10 business days after applying
Referred by someone	5-7 business days
Applied via email directly	5-7 business days
Met at a job fair or event	2-3 business days
The posting listed a deadline	3-5 business days after the deadline

Why business days? Because weekends don't count for hiring timelines. If you applied on a Friday, don't start counting until Monday.

What About Second Follow-Ups?

If you don't hear back after your first follow-up, wait another 7-10 business days before reaching out again. After two follow-ups with no response, it's time to move on. You can keep the application active in your mind, but don't send a third email — that crosses the line from persistent to pestering.

Who Should You Contact?

The most effective follow-up goes directly to the hiring manager, not HR. Here's how to find the right person:

Check the job posting — some list a contact name or department head
Search LinkedIn — look for the department manager or team lead at the company. A strong LinkedIn profile makes this research easier and more natural.
Check the company website — "About" or "Team" pages often list leadership
Call the front desk — ask who manages hiring for the [specific department] team

If you truly can't find a name, addressing your email to "Hiring Manager" or "Recruiting Team" is fine. But a name always lands better.

Follow-Up Email Templates

Here are templates you can customize. Don't copy them word-for-word — adjust the tone and details to match the company and role.

Template 1: Standard Follow-Up (Applied Online)

Subject: Following Up — [Job Title] Application

Hi [Name],

I submitted my application for the [Job Title] position on [date] and wanted to follow up to express my continued interest in the role.

With my background in [relevant skill/experience], I'm confident I could contribute to [specific company goal or project you researched]. I'm particularly drawn to [something specific about the company — a product, mission, or recent news].

I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience aligns with what you're looking for. Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide.

Thank you for your time,
[Your name]
[Phone number]
[LinkedIn URL]

Template 2: Referral Follow-Up

Subject: [Referrer's Name] Suggested I Reach Out — [Job Title]

Hi [Name],

[Referrer's name] recommended I apply for the [Job Title] position, and I submitted my application on [date]. I wanted to follow up and introduce myself directly.

[Referrer] and I worked together at [company/context], and they thought my experience in [relevant area] would be a strong fit for your team.

I'd love to learn more about the role and share how I might contribute. Would you have 15 minutes this week for a brief conversation?

Best,
[Your name]

Template 3: After a Job Fair or Networking Event

Subject: Great Meeting You at [Event Name] — [Job Title] Interest

Hi [Name],

It was great speaking with you at [event] on [day]. Our conversation about [specific topic you discussed] really resonated with me, and I've since submitted my application for the [Job Title] position.

As we discussed, my experience in [relevant area] aligns well with what your team is building. I'm excited about the possibility of contributing to [specific initiative].

Would you be available for a follow-up conversation this week?

Thanks,
[Your name]

Template 4: Second Follow-Up (No Response to First)

Subject: Checking In — [Job Title] Application

Hi [Name],

I hope you're doing well. I reached out on [date of first follow-up] regarding my application for the [Job Title] position and wanted to check in once more.

I understand hiring timelines can shift, and I remain very interested in the opportunity. If the position has been filled or the timeline has changed, I'd appreciate a brief update so I can plan accordingly.

Thank you for your consideration,
[Your name]

How to Follow Up by Phone

Email is usually the safest bet, but phone follow-ups work well for smaller companies or roles where phone skills matter (sales, customer service, admin). If you go this route:

Call during off-peak hours — Tuesday through Thursday, 10-11 AM or 2-3 PM tends to work best
Prepare a 30-second script — know exactly what you'll say before you dial
Be ready for voicemail — you'll probably get it, so have a concise message planned
Don't call more than once — leave a message and follow up with an email instead

Here's a phone script that works:

"Hi [Name], this is [Your name]. I recently applied for the [Job Title] position and wanted to follow up to express my interest. I have [X years] of experience in [relevant field] and I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to [company name]. If you have a moment to discuss the role or the hiring timeline, I'd appreciate it. You can reach me at [phone number]. Thank you for your time."

Following Up on LinkedIn

LinkedIn messages can be effective, especially if you can't find the hiring manager's email. Keep it short and professional:

Connect with a personalized note mentioning the role
If already connected, send a brief direct message
Don't send a connection request AND an email AND a phone call on the same day — pick one channel

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is polished before reaching out to hiring managers. They will look at it.

What NOT to Do When Following Up

Some follow-up mistakes can actually hurt your chances. Avoid these:

Don't follow up the next day. It signals anxiety, not enthusiasm. Give it at least a week.
Don't send the same message twice. Each follow-up should add something — new context, a recent accomplishment, or a different angle.
Don't be passive-aggressive. "I'm surprised I haven't heard back" or "I know you must be very busy" reads poorly.
Don't follow up on multiple channels simultaneously. An email AND a LinkedIn message AND a phone call on the same day feels like stalking.
Don't badmouth the process. Even if the company's hiring process is slow or disorganized, keep your tone positive.
Don't attach your resume again unless they ask for it. They have it.

What If You Applied to Multiple Roles at the Same Company?

This happens, especially at large companies. Follow up on each role separately, but space them out. And be honest — if asked, mention that you applied to multiple positions because you're genuinely interested in the company, not just carpet-bombing applications.

What to Do While You Wait

The worst thing you can do is sit around refreshing your email. Instead:

Keep applying elsewhere. Never put all your eggs in one basket. Even if this is your dream job, keep the pipeline moving.
Work on your interview prep. If they do call you in, you want to be ready. Brush up on how to answer "Tell me about yourself" and questions to ask your interviewer.
Build your skills. Take an online course, earn a certification, or start a side project that's relevant to the role. It gives you something new to mention in your follow-up.
Prepare your references. Give your references a heads-up so they're not caught off guard if a recruiter calls.
Research the company deeper. Read their blog, follow them on social media, understand their recent initiatives. This prep pays off in interviews.

When the Follow-Up Actually Works

A good follow-up doesn't just remind the hiring manager you exist — it can change the outcome entirely. Here's what can happen:

Your application gets a second look. Maybe it was filtered out by the ATS or buried under 200 others. Your email puts it back on top.
You bypass the queue. A direct email to the hiring manager can skip the recruiter bottleneck entirely.
You demonstrate a skill they need. Clear, professional written communication is valuable in almost every role. Your follow-up email is a live writing sample.
You build a relationship for the future. Even if this role doesn't work out, the hiring manager may remember you for the next opening.

Special Situations

Following Up After Being Rejected

Got a rejection? You can still follow up — graciously. Thank them for considering you, ask if they'd keep you in mind for future roles, and ask for any feedback on your application. About 30% of the time, you'll get useful advice. And staying on good terms means they might reach out when something else opens up.

Following Up When the Posting Disappears

If the job listing gets taken down, that usually means they've moved forward with candidates — but not always. Sometimes postings are removed to manage application volume. Follow up with a brief email acknowledging that you noticed the posting is no longer active and asking about the status of your application.

Following Up After an Internal Referral

If someone inside the company referred you, your follow-up carries more weight. Mention the referral in your subject line and ask your contact if they can put in a word with the hiring manager. Internal referrals are gold — especially when you don't have extensive experience.

Making Your Application Stronger Before You Follow Up

Before sending that follow-up, make sure the rest of your application is solid:

Resume: Is it tailored to this specific role? Check out the best resume formats for 2026 if you're not sure yours is hitting the mark.
Cover letter: Did you write one? For roles that accept them, a strong cover letter can be the difference between "maybe" and "yes."
Online presence: Your LinkedIn profile, personal website, and any public portfolio should all be current and professional. Hiring managers Google candidates — make sure your digital presence is polished.

The Bottom Line

Following up after a job application isn't optional — it's part of the process. A thoughtful, well-timed follow-up shows professionalism, genuine interest, and the kind of initiative that employers actually want to see in candidates.

Send one follow-up after 7-10 business days. If you don't hear back, send one more after another 7-10 days. After that, shift your energy to other opportunities. The right role will come — sometimes it just needs a nudge.

How to Follow Up After a Job Application (With Email Templates)