You’ve just submitted what feels like the perfect job application. Your resume is polished, your cover letter is compelling, and you genuinely believe you’d be great for the role. Now you’re staring at your email, wondering: Should I follow up? Will it make me look eager and proactive, or pushy and impatient?
The short answer is yes, you should follow up after applying for a job—but the how, when, and why matter enormously. Done well, following up can set you apart from hundreds of other applicants. Done poorly, it can hurt your chances or even get you flagged as someone who doesn’t follow instructions.
The key is understanding that following up isn’t about being annoying until they respond. It’s about demonstrating genuine interest, providing additional value, and staying professionally visible during what can be a lengthy hiring process.
Why Following Up Actually Matters
In today’s job market, hiring managers are overwhelmed. A single job posting can generate hundreds of applications, and many qualified candidates get lost in the shuffle through no fault of their own. A thoughtful follow-up can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
Following up serves several important purposes beyond just reminding them you exist. It demonstrates genuine interest in the role rather than mass application behavior. It shows initiative and communication skills—qualities most employers value. It provides an opportunity to share additional relevant information or clarify any questions that might have arisen from your application.
Think about your own motivation for this particular role: Are you genuinely excited about this specific opportunity, or is it just another application in your weekly quota? Your level of authentic interest should guide your follow-up strategy.
Most importantly, following up can help build a relationship with the hiring manager or recruiter before you even get an interview. In competitive markets, these early connections can make the difference between getting a phone screen and being passed over entirely.
However, there’s a crucial distinction between strategic follow-up and desperation. The goal isn’t to convince them to hire you through persistence alone—it’s to remind them why you’re worth considering and to provide additional value that strengthens your candidacy.
The Art of Timing: When to Follow Up
Timing your follow-up correctly can make the difference between appearing professionally interested and seeming impatient or pushy. The key is understanding typical hiring timelines and respecting the process while staying visible.
For most positions, wait at least one week after submitting your application before following up. This gives the hiring team time to review applications and begin their initial screening process. Following up too quickly can signal that you don’t understand professional timelines or respect their process.
However, if the job posting mentioned an urgent timeline or immediate start date, you might follow up after 3-5 business days. Similarly, if you applied through a networking connection who encouraged you to follow up quickly, adjust your timing accordingly.
Consider the industry and company size when timing your follow-up. Startups and smaller companies often move faster and might appreciate quicker follow-up, while large corporations or government positions typically have longer, more formal processes.
What do you know about this company’s typical hiring pace? Have you researched their process or spoken with current employees who might provide insight into their timeline expectations?
Avoid following up on Mondays (people are catching up from the weekend) or Fridays (people are focused on wrapping up the week). Tuesday through Thursday typically sees better response rates for professional communication.
Crafting Your Follow-Up Message: What to Say
The content of your follow-up message is just as important as the timing. Your goal is to add value while staying concise and professional. A generic “just checking in” email won’t help you stand out and might even hurt your chances.
Start by referencing the specific position and when you applied. This helps busy hiring managers quickly understand the context. Something like: “I wanted to follow up on my application for the Marketing Manager position I submitted on [date].”
Express genuine enthusiasm for the role and company, but be specific about why. Instead of saying “I’m very interested in this opportunity,” try “I’m particularly excited about the chance to lead digital marketing initiatives during your expansion into the European market.”
Provide additional value in every follow-up. This might be a relevant article you’ve written or found, an example of your work that relates to their current challenges, or news about an achievement since you applied. Always include something that reinforces your qualifications beyond just reminding them you exist.
Keep it brief—no more than three short paragraphs. Busy hiring managers appreciate conciseness and are more likely to read and respond to shorter messages.
What additional value could you provide in your follow-up that wasn’t included in your original application? This might be recent work examples, relevant skills you’ve developed, or insights about their industry challenges.
Different Follow-Up Strategies for Different Situations
Not all job applications are created equal, and your follow-up strategy should reflect the specific circumstances of how you learned about and applied for the role.
Direct Applications Through Company Website: These often go into applicant tracking systems (ATS) and may not be seen by human eyes immediately. Your follow-up should aim to connect with the hiring manager directly, either through LinkedIn or by finding their email through company directories or professional networks.
Applications Through Job Boards: Similar to direct applications, these often get lost in volume. Try to identify the hiring manager through LinkedIn and send a personalized connection request mentioning your application.
Referral Applications: If someone referred you, leverage that connection appropriately. Mention the referral in your follow-up and consider asking your referrer to check on the status as well.
Recruiter Submissions: If a recruiter submitted your application, follow up with them rather than contacting the company directly. Recruiters can provide valuable insights into the hiring timeline and feedback.
Networking Connections: If you met someone from the company at an event or through mutual connections, reference that interaction in your follow-up. Personal connections often lead to faster responses.
How did you learn about and apply for this position? Your application method should influence both your follow-up timing and approach.
What to Do When You Don’t Hear Back
Silence after your initial follow-up doesn’t necessarily mean rejection, but it does require a strategic response. Understanding when to persist and when to move on is crucial for maintaining professional relationships and using your time effectively.
Wait at least two weeks after your first follow-up before sending a second message. This second follow-up should be even more brief and focused on providing additional value rather than just asking for updates.
Consider alternative approaches if email isn’t generating responses. A thoughtful LinkedIn connection request with a brief note about your application might get noticed where emails don’t. Attending company events or connecting with other employees (carefully and appropriately) can sometimes provide insights into the hiring process.
If you still don’t hear back after two follow-ups spaced appropriately apart, it’s generally time to move forward with other opportunities. However, this doesn’t mean burning bridges—keep the door open for future opportunities.
How many other opportunities are you actively pursuing? A strong job search strategy should never depend on a single application, regardless of how perfect the role seems.
Sometimes silence indicates that the position is on hold, they’re still interviewing other candidates, or internal priorities have shifted. None of these reflect on your qualifications, but they do suggest it’s time to focus energy elsewhere.
Following Up After Networking Events or Informational Interviews
Following up after meeting someone at a networking event or informational interview requires a different approach than following up on submitted applications. These interactions are about building relationships first and job opportunities second.
Send your follow-up within 24-48 hours while the conversation is still fresh in their mind. Reference specific topics you discussed to help them remember you among the many people they might have met.
Focus on continuing the relationship rather than immediately asking about job opportunities. Thank them for their time, share a relevant resource you mentioned during your conversation, or offer to help them with something they discussed.
If they mentioned potential opportunities during your conversation, it’s appropriate to express continued interest, but avoid being too pushy. Something like “If any opportunities arise that align with my background, I’d love to be considered” strikes the right balance.
What specific value can you provide to the people you’ve met through networking? The best networking follow-ups focus on giving rather than getting.
Keep these new connections updated periodically about your job search progress, but don’t make every interaction about finding work. Share industry insights, congratulate them on company news, or simply check in occasionally to maintain the relationship.
Red Flags: When Following Up Can Hurt You
While following up is generally positive, certain approaches can damage your candidacy or professional reputation. Understanding these red flags helps you avoid common mistakes that overeager job seekers sometimes make.
Never follow up if the job posting specifically stated “no phone calls” or “no follow-up contact.” Ignoring these instructions signals that you don’t follow directions—a major red flag for employers.
Avoid following up multiple times per week or using increasingly desperate language. This appears unprofessional and suggests poor judgment about workplace communication norms.
Don’t use follow-up messages to argue with their hiring criteria or explain why their requirements are wrong. If you don’t meet their stated qualifications, address this professionally in your initial application rather than in follow-up messages.
Never follow up using personal social media accounts or trying to connect with hiring managers on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Keep all job-search communication professional.
Avoid following up during known busy periods for their industry unless it’s truly time-sensitive. For example, don’t follow up with tax professionals during tax season or retail companies during the holiday shopping season.
Have you double-checked the job posting for any specific instructions about follow-up communication? Respecting their stated preferences is crucial for making a positive impression.
Using LinkedIn Strategically for Follow-Up
LinkedIn has become one of the most effective platforms for professional follow-up, but it requires a strategic approach to avoid seeming spam-like or inappropriate.
When sending a LinkedIn connection request to a hiring manager, always include a personalized note mentioning your application. Keep it brief but specific: “Hi [Name], I recently applied for the Marketing Manager position at [Company] and would love to connect.”
If they accept your connection request, wait a few days before sending a follow-up message about your application. Use this message to provide additional value—perhaps sharing a relevant article or highlighting a specific qualification that aligns with their recent company news.
Follow the company’s LinkedIn page and engage thoughtfully with their content. Commenting professionally on their posts keeps you visible without being pushy about your application.
Look for mutual connections who might provide insights into the company culture or hiring process. A warm introduction through a mutual contact is often more effective than cold outreach.
What does your LinkedIn profile say about you as a candidate? Make sure it’s fully updated and aligned with your application before using it for follow-up purposes.
The Follow-Up Follow-Through: What Happens Next
Successful follow-up isn’t just about sending messages—it’s about being prepared for various responses and maintaining professionalism regardless of the outcome.
If they respond positively and want to schedule an interview, respond quickly and professionally. Suggest multiple time options and confirm all details in writing. Your prompt, organized response reinforces the positive impression your follow-up created.
If they respond that the position has been filled or they’re moving forward with other candidates, thank them graciously and ask to be considered for future opportunities. This professional response often leads to consideration for other roles.
If they provide feedback about your application, listen carefully and ask clarifying questions if appropriate. This information can be valuable for improving future applications, even if this particular opportunity doesn’t work out.
How will you track your follow-up activities across multiple job applications? Having a system helps ensure you don’t accidentally follow up too frequently or miss important timelines.
Continue your job search actively regardless of follow-up responses. Even positive responses don’t guarantee job offers, and maintaining momentum in your search is crucial for success.
Building Long-Term Relationships Through Follow-Up
The best follow-up strategies focus on building genuine professional relationships rather than just landing immediate job opportunities. These relationships often lead to future opportunities that may be even better than the original position you applied for.
Stay connected with hiring managers and recruiters even after specific opportunities end. Add value to their networks by sharing relevant industry insights, making introductions when appropriate, or simply maintaining periodic professional contact.
Remember that today’s hiring manager might be tomorrow’s colleague, client, or even direct report. Professional relationships can develop in unexpected directions, making gracious follow-up behavior an investment in your long-term career success.
Consider following up not just on rejections but on successful hires as well. Congratulating the person who got the job (if you learn who it was) shows exceptional professionalism and often impresses hiring managers.
Keep track of company news and major developments. Following up to congratulate them on achievements or asking thoughtful questions about industry changes demonstrates ongoing interest in their success beyond just job opportunities.
What kind of professional reputation do you want to build through your job search activities? Your follow-up behavior contributes significantly to how people in your industry perceive you.
Your Follow-Up Action Plan
Effective follow-up requires planning and consistency. Develop a system that helps you manage multiple applications while maintaining personalized, valuable communication with each potential employer.
Create a tracking system for your applications that includes follow-up dates, contact information, and notes about each interaction. This prevents you from accidentally following up too frequently or missing important deadlines.
Prepare templates for common follow-up scenarios, but always customize them for each specific situation. Having a framework saves time while ensuring you include all important elements.
Set aside dedicated time each week for follow-up activities. Treating this as a scheduled task rather than something you do when you remember helps ensure consistency.
Practice your follow-up approach with trusted friends or mentors. Getting feedback on your messages before sending them can help you strike the right tone and avoid potential mistakes.
Most importantly, remember that follow-up is just one component of a successful job search. Continue applying for new positions, networking, and developing your skills while managing your follow-up activities.
What’s one specific action you can take this week to improve your job application follow-up strategy? Whether it’s creating a tracking system, drafting better follow-up templates, or researching hiring managers on LinkedIn, small improvements in your follow-up approach can lead to significant results in your job search success.
