Sending your resume into the job search ether—and hearing nothing—can be disheartening. But you don’t have to sit on pins and needles waiting for a response. If you’ve applied for a job and haven’t heard from the hiring manager in a week or two, go ahead and follow up.
Not sure what to say? Take a look at our guide on how to follow up on a job application, including email templates and examples.
How to properly follow up after applying for a job
The key to securing a job interview is leaving a good impression on the hiring manager, so make sure to follow up the right way. You want to be considered as a serious candidate, not as an entitled one.
Here's what to do if you're thinking about following up after applying for a job:
1. Choose the right moment
We get it: You're excited about the job, and want a response as soon as possible. However, hiring managers receive dozens of resumes and cover letters daily. They need time to process every candidate's information—including your own—before scheduling interviews. So don't act impulsively.
It's recommended to wait one to two weeks to follow up after sending your application. This will show that you're not overly anxious and respect the hiring manager's time.
2. Double-check your application
Before you send that follow-up email, make sure you've really submitted your application. With all the different platforms out there today, it's easy to lose track of it. Some companies will require your resume and portfolio, while others will ask you to fill out your information at their website before sending an email—the possibilities are endless.
That said, if you don't hear from the hiring manager in two weeks, double-check to see if you followed all the steps required.
3. Find the hiring manager's details
When sending a follow-up email after applying for a job, you want to contact the right person. More importantly, you want to personalize your email and show that you researched the company carefully.
Of course, this step isn't mandatory, since not every company will have the staff listed on their website or LinkedIn. So don't stress if you can't do it. Just address them as “Dear Hiring Manager” and it will be fine.
4. Confirm if the company wants to be contacted
It's not common, but some companies don't want candidates to follow up after applying. In this case, they usually make it clear in the job post that if you don't hear from them after a certain date, it's because they decided to follow the process with other candidates. To avoid burning bridges and wasting your time, reread the job description to confirm that you can follow up.
How to write a follow-up email after job application
OK, it's time to craft your job application follow-up email. Keep it professional, brief and clear. Recruiters already have a lot on their plate and the last thing you want is to end up with a long, boring message.
Don't know exactly what to write? Relax, and take notes of these tips on how to follow up on a job application:
1. Keep your message concise and clear
Again, hiring managers are busy people and they don't have time for unnecessary long emails. Especially if they don't even know you yet. To avoid being ignored, include only essential information to express your interest in the position, as listed below.
2. Reiterate your interest in the position
When writing a follow-up email after applying for a job, one of your main goals is to demonstrate how much you care about the opportunity. Start your message by bringing up your application and expressing your eagerness to join the company.
3. Highlight your skills
Mention your top qualifications and how they would help you to fulfill the position. Skip repeating what's on your resume—like certifications or work experience—and focus on what really matters: Why you would be a perfect fit for the role.
4. Show gratitude
Thank the hiring manager's consideration—this is one of the most important steps when following up after applying for a job. It demonstrates professionalism, politeness and respect for the time they took to read your email.
You can also add a sentence offering to answer any question, or to provide extra information about your qualifications. Keep in mind that having a likable personality can score a lot of points in the hiring process.
5. Express your desire for an interview
It's OK to express your interest in hearing from the recruiter. After all, the whole point of sending a follow-up email after applying for a job is to secure an interview. As you don't want to sound too eager or anxious, you can finish the email with a simple sentence such as “I look forward to hearing from you”, or a variation of that.
6. Proofread one more time
Part of being professional is making sure that your email and any documents sent to a recruiter has no grammatical errors or typos. Take advantage of apps like Google Docs, Hemingway and Grammarly (that have proofreading tools) to scan your texts and point out any mistakes you might have missed.
Follow up after applying for a job: Email templates
Now that you've mastered the follow-up email essentials, let's put them into action. Here are two templates to help you get there:
Following up on a job application - Template #1
Subject: Following Up on [Position Title] Application
Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope all is well. I know how busy you probably are, but I recently applied to the [position title] position, and wanted to check in on your decision timeline. I am excited about the opportunity to join [company name] and help [bring in new clients/develop world-class content/anything else awesome you would be doing] with your team.
Please let me know if it would be helpful for me to provide any additional information as you move on to the next stage in the hiring process.
I look forward to hearing from you,
[Your Name]
Following up on a job application - Template #2
Subject: Following Up on [Position Title] Application
Dear Hiring Manager,
I hope this email finds you well. I recently applied for the [position title] position at [company name] and wanted to check in on your decision timeline. I am very interested in the opportunity to join the team and bring my [specific skills] to help [what you would be doing].
I understand how busy you probably are and want to thank you in advance for considering my application.
Please let me know if you need any additional information or references from me.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Sample job application follow-up emails
Feeling confident, but still need some inspiration? Here are two examples of emails you might send to follow up on a job application:
Sample email #1
Subject: Following up on Social Media Manager application
Hi Jennifer,
I hope all is well. I know how busy you probably are, but I recently applied to the Social Media Manager position and wanted to check in on your decision timeline. I’m excited about the opportunity to join HoneyBee Co and help manage and grow your social media channels with the digital marketing team.
Please let me know if it would be helpful for me to provide any additional information as you move on to the next stage in the hiring process.
I look forward to hearing from you,
John
Sample email #2
Subject: Following up on Front-End Developer application
Hi Sam,
Hope you’re having a great week! I know how busy you probably are, but I recently applied for the Front-End Developer position. I am excited about the opportunity to join BlueGreen Inc and help build out the functionality of your website and I just wanted to check in about your hiring timeline for the position.
Please let me know if there’s any other information I can provide as you move to the next stage in the hiring process.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Elena
If you send this note and haven’t heard back in another week, it’s OK to follow up again. Just follow these rules for being pleasantly persistent.