How to Follow Up on a Job Application
Short answer
Yes, you can follow up on a job application, and doing so can show your interest and initiative to potential employers. Following up usually involves sending a polite email or making a brief phone call a week or two after submitting your application, asking about the status of your candidacy. This can help keep your application top of mind and clarify next steps.
What Does It Mean to Follow Up on a Job Application?
Following up on a job application means reaching out to the employer after you have submitted your materials—like your resume and cover letter—to check the status of your application. It is a way to express continued interest and to remind the hiring manager that you are eagerly awaiting a response. This contact is generally done through a brief email or phone call, ideally directed to the person listed in the job posting or the HR contact. Following up is different from sending your application; it happens afterward to maintain communication.
Following up shows professionalism and enthusiasm. For example, if you applied on a Monday, waiting about one to two weeks before following up gives the employer time to review applications. In your message, you might say something like: "I recently applied for the marketing coordinator position and wanted to check if there is an update on the hiring timeline. I remain very interested and look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team." This keeps the tone polite and positive without pressuring the employer.
How Does Following Up Work?
When you follow up, you aim to strike a balance between showing interest and respecting the employer's time. The typical process is:
- Submit your job application.
- Wait one to two weeks as a reasonable window for initial screening.
- Send a concise email or make a short phone call if no timeline was provided.
- Keep your message professional and friendly.
- End by expressing appreciation for their time and consideration.
For example, if you applied for an administrative assistant role on March 1, you could send an email on March 14 that says: "Dear Hiring Manager, I hope this message finds you well. I submitted my application for the administrative assistant position on March 1 and wanted to inquire if there are any updates regarding the hiring process. I appreciate your time and consideration."
If you don’t hear back after the follow-up, it’s usually best to wait patiently or move on rather than repeatedly contacting the employer. Many companies have set processes and timelines that might require more time.
Why Does Following Up Matter?
Following up matters because it can differentiate you from other candidates who don’t reach out after submitting applications. It demonstrates your genuine interest and proactive attitude, qualities employers often value. It may also help clarify your application status if the employer’s timelines are unclear. This can reduce anxiety and help you plan your job search more effectively.
For example, if you apply to 20 jobs but don’t follow up, you might miss opportunities where the employer is leaning toward your candidacy but has questions or needs more information. A follow-up can open the door for a conversation or interview invitation.
Additionally, following up can sometimes help correct mistakes or provide additional relevant details if you realize you forgot to include something important in your original application.
What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid When Following Up?
It's important to avoid being too pushy or impatient. Contacting employers too soon after applying or sending multiple follow-ups within a short period can annoy hiring staff and hurt your chances. Also, using a generic or sloppy message can work against you. Avoid spelling or grammar errors and overly casual language.
Common mistakes include:
- Following up the day after submitting an application.
- Calling repeatedly or sending several emails in a few days.
- Using a vague subject line like “Job Inquiry” without specifying the role.
- Asking questions already answered in the job posting, such as salary or benefits.
- Not addressing your message to the correct contact person.
Instead, be polite, concise, and professional. If the job posting includes an estimated response time, respect that timeline before following up.
How Is Following Up Different from Other Job Search Communications?
People sometimes confuse following up on an application with following up after an interview or cold contacting an employer. Following up on an application happens before any interview and focuses on checking the status of your candidacy. Following up after an interview is more detailed, thanking the interviewer and reasserting interest in the role.
Cold contacting or networking involves reaching out to companies without a specific job application submitted, aiming to learn about opportunities or make connections. That is a different strategy from following up after applying.
Also, some confuse following up with resubmitting an application. Resubmitting is sending your application again, often if there was a technical issue or if you want to update your materials. Following up is simply a polite inquiry after the initial submission.
What Should You Do Next After Following Up?
After sending a follow-up message, give the employer time to respond. If you receive a reply, follow their instructions or proceed with the next steps, such as scheduling an interview. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe (another one or two weeks), it’s usually best to move on and focus on other job opportunities.
Keep track of where and when you applied and followed up, so you avoid confusion. Continuing to apply to other jobs while waiting is a smart approach. If you get a rejection, consider asking politely for feedback, but understand employers aren’t always able to provide detailed responses.
If you want help drafting your follow-up email, you can check examples specific to this purpose. Always tailor your message to the job and company for the best effect.
What Related Terms Are Often Confused with Following Up?
- Resubmitting a job application: Sending your application again, usually if you made a mistake or new information arises.
- Withdrawing a job application: Informing the employer you no longer want to be considered for the role.
- Following up after an interview: Contacting the employer after meeting them to thank them and reinforce your interest.
- Cold contacting: Reaching out to employers without applying, to explore potential opportunities.
- Checking application status: Similar to following up, but sometimes refers to using an online portal to see updates.
Understanding these terms helps you choose the right action at the right time in your job search.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I follow up after submitting a job application?
It’s generally best to wait about one to two weeks before following up. This allows the employer time to review applications without feeling rushed. If the job posting states a specific timeline, wait until that period has passed.
Is it okay to follow up by phone instead of email?
Yes, if a phone number is provided and the company culture seems open to calls, a brief, polite phone call can work. However, email is usually preferred as it is less intrusive and provides a written record.
What if I don’t get any response after following up?
If you don’t hear back after one follow-up, it’s best to move on and focus on other opportunities. Repeatedly contacting the employer can be counterproductive.
Can following up hurt my chances of getting the job?
When done politely and at the right time, following up usually helps show your interest. But contacting too soon or too often can annoy employers and hurt your chances.
Should I follow up on every job application I submit?
While it’s not mandatory, following up on jobs you really want or where you feel the employer might appreciate it can be beneficial. For very large companies or automated systems, follow-ups might be less effective.