How to Follow Up on a Job Application (+ Email Samples)

Should You Follow Up On An Application? 

There is nothing worse than applying for jobs and then never hearing back from the hiring manager. Especially if you’ve been patient and given it a week or two without contacting them. 

Don’t take it personally; the reasons you haven’t heard back could have nothing to do with you. Every company has a different hiring process, and sometimes things move a little slower than you (and even they) would like. 

If you haven’t heard back from them within a reasonable time frame (2-3 weeks), it’s a good idea to send a quick follow-up email to ask about your application process. 

If you’re wondering how to write a follow-up email after no response, you’re in the right place!

When Should You Follow Up On A Job Application? 

A study conducted in 2017 revealed different answers from various hiring managers. Below are the results.

• Less than one week: 19%
• One to less than two weeks: 43%
• Two to less than three weeks: 30%
• Three weeks or more: 8%
• They shouldn’t follow up: 0%

But how long should you wait before you send a follow-up email? Well, unless the posting indicates a specific timeline for the selection process, you can hit send after two weeks of applying. This will allow the employer enough time to review your application and materials.

How to Follow Up on Job Applications? 5 Steps

1. Get Details Of The Hiring Manager

When you address the email to a particular person, it shows them that you did your research and made an effort to find their details. Ideally, you want to reach out to the hiring manager (this is the person who listed the job) – it’s more likely that they are in charge of the hiring process. You can check the website to see if the manager in question is listed there.

If this information is not there, you could also contact a recruiter (either their in-house recruiter or the recruitment consultant if you applied via a recruitment agency) or someone in the company’s HR Department. 

You may find contact information by directly calling the company or contacting them via email. You could also drop a LinkedIn message. But remember, try to avoid sending multiple emails to multiple people in the company, as this can come across as spammy and could give the company a negative impression of you.

2. Be Brief

There are many ways you can ask for an update on your application, such as via a phone call or via email. Given how busy hiring managers can be, we recommend popping them a quick follow-up email after the application so they can reply once they get a spare minute. 

You should ensure your email contains: 

• The job title you applied for 
• That you’re still interested in the role 
• A thank you for their time

3. Use A Clear Subject Line 

Any subject line you write for your email should have your name and the title of the job you applied for. This will allow the hiring manager to know what the email is about before they open it. Here are some other examples of a clear subject line.

• Following up on my application for {Position} at {Company Name}
• Application for {Position} at {Company Name}
• Follow up on application {Position} at {Company Name} 

4. Use Your Connections

Before you can send an email, tap into your professional and personal network to see if any of your friends or acquaintances are employed at this company. Having a connection on the inside can help you get contact information and even give you an edge when being considered for a position.

5. Highlight Your Qualifications

In a line or two, remind the person you are emailing that you are a great fit for the position in question. Do not feel shy to talk about your qualifications or any new accomplishments that would make you an even better candidate.

What to Say When Following Up On A Job Application (8 Sample Emails)

Email Example #1 – Job Application Follow-Up Email 

Email Subject: Checking on {Position} at {Company Name} Application 

Email Body:

Hi, {Hiring Managers Name},

I hope you’re well. I’m reaching out just to follow up on the {Position} role that I applied for on {Date}. I would like to express my continued interest in this position, and I hope to have the chance to speak with you about it. 

I believe my skills and knowledge would make an excellent addition to your term, particularly my {relevant skill or prior experience}. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information or materials. 

I look forward to talking with you and appreciate your time and consideration. 

Kind Regards,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #2 – Follow-Up Email After Interview

Email Subject: {Your Name} – RE: Interview on {Date & Time of Interview} 

Email Body: 

Good Morning/Afternoon {Interviewer Name}, 

Thank you for your time on {Interview Date}. It was great to speak to you about the {Position} role, and I’m convinced that the position is a perfect fit for this stage in my career. 

I was hoping to get an update on the recruitment process; any information you could provide me about the next steps would be greatly appreciated.

I’m also happy to answer any follow-up questions that may have come up since we last spoke. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Kind Regards,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #3 – Following Up With A Recruiter 

Email Subject: Application for {Position} at {Company Name}

Email Body: 

Hello, {Recruiters Name}, 

My name is {Your Name}. I am just writing to follow up on my application for the {Position} role at {Company Name} on {Date You Submitted The Application}. 

I remain excited about the possibility of joining your team and contributing to its continued success. I believe my {Specific Job-Related Skills} make me a strong candidate for the position, and I would love to discuss the opportunity further. 

Please let me know of any questions I can answer or any additional information I can provide to you. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking to you soon. 

Kind Regards,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #4 – LinkedIn Message

Subject: {Position} at {Company Name}

Message Body: 

Hi, {Contact’s Name}

I hope you’re doing well. I recently applied for {Position} at {Company} and I was wondering if you have any updates regarding my application?

If the position is still available, I would love to discuss this further with you. My time as a {Former Job Title} at {former COmpany} makes me a great match for this role and I’d be happy to provide further information or answer any questions you may have. 

Thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking soon.

Take Care,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #5 – After Submitting Your Job Application

Email Subject: Checking in on {Position} at {Company Name}

Email Body: 

Hello, {Recruiters Name}, 

My name is {Your Name}. I hope you’re well. I’m reaching out today to follow up on the {Position} role at {Company Name} on {Date You Submitted The Application}. 

I would like to express my continued interest in this position and I hope to have the chance to speak with you about it. 

I believe my skills and expertise would make an excellent addition to your team, particularly my [relevant skill or prior experience]. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information or materials.

I look forward to talking with you and appreciate your consideration!

Kind Regards,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #6 – Reaching Out To An Internal Contact About Job Application

Subject: {Position} at {Company Name}

Message Body: 

Hi, {Contact’s Name}

How are you? I saw on LinkedIn that you [got promoted / finished a big project / received an award / etc.] — congratulations! 

How is everything at {Company}? Thanks for the tip about the open {Position} I sent in my application a couple of weeks ago but haven’t heard back — I don’t suppose you have any insight about the timeline on your end? 

I hope things are going well — catch up soon?

Take Care,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #7 – Following Up With The HR Manager

Email Subject: Following up on my application for {Position} at {Company Name} 

Email Body:

Dear {Human Resources Manager’s Name},

My name is {Your Name}. I recently submitted my resume for the {Position} job at {Company} and would like to follow up on the status of my application.

I am very interested in working for your organization and feel that I would be an asset to your team because of my {experience in relevant field}. I’ve held many similar positions before and feel confident that I would excel in the role.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide any additional information. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you further.

Sincerely,

{Your Name} 

Email Example #8 – Following Up With The Hiring Manager

Email Subject: Application for {Position} at {Company Name} 

Email Body:

Hello {Hiring Manager’s Name},

My name is  {Your Name}. I am writing to follow up on my application for the {Position}role at {Company} on {date}.

I remain excited about the possibility of joining your team and contributing to its success. I believe my [specific job-related skills] make me a strong candidate for the position, and I would love to discuss the opportunity even further.

Please let me know of any questions I can answer or additional information I can provide. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to speaking soon!

Warm regards,

{Your Name}

What If I Still Don’t Hear Back?

If you send a follow up email and still don’t hear anything back, it’s absolutely ok to follow up again. Once you’ve sent the first email, you should wait at least another week – week and a half before chasing again. If you’re unsure if they’re receiving your emails, you could always try calling the company instead to follow up – just ensure that you mention you have previously sent an email but haven’t received a response yet and express that you are still interested in the role if it’s still available. After that, it’s time to start applying again!