How to follow up after applying
Most job applicants never follow up after submitting their resume. Following up — well, briefly, professionally — is one of the easiest ways to get noticed in a stack of applications.
Why following up works
Hiring managers receive dozens or hundreds of applications for any given posting. They review the ones that pass the first screen, take notes, and move on. By the time they start scheduling interviews, they may not remember the specific candidates as clearly as you'd think.
A good follow-up message reminds them of you, demonstrates your genuine interest, and gives you another touchpoint without being annoying. Most candidates skip this step. Doing it puts you in the small minority of applicants who look invested.
Following up isn't pushy. Done right, it's a sign you actually want the job.
The follow-up timeline
Day of application: Save a copy of the job posting (PDF or screenshot it). Postings get taken down once filled, and you may need to refer back. Note the date you applied.
Five to seven business days later: First follow-up. If the posting included a contact name and email, send a brief email. If it didn't, check LinkedIn for the hiring manager and send a polite message there.
Two weeks after applying: Second follow-up if you still haven't heard back. Make it short and final.
Three weeks or more: Move on. Keep applying to other jobs. If they want to hire you, they'll reach out. Continued follow-ups past this point start to look pushy.
The first follow-up email
Keep it short. Three or four sentences. Reiterate your interest, briefly mention one strong qualification, and ask about next steps.
Subject: Following up — Warehouse Associate application
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I wanted to follow up on my application for the Warehouse Associate position, which I submitted on [date]. I'm very interested in joining your team and feel my three years of forklift experience and perfect safety record would be a strong fit.
If you have any questions about my background or need additional information, I'd be happy to provide it. I'd also welcome the chance to discuss the role in more detail. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone] · [Email]
The second follow-up email
If you don't hear back from the first follow-up, send one more, and then move on. Make this one even shorter.
Subject: Final follow-up — Warehouse Associate application
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I wanted to send one final note expressing my continued interest in the Warehouse Associate position. If the role has been filled, I completely understand and would appreciate any feedback you might be able to share. Otherwise, I'd love the chance to discuss the role further.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Following up by phone
For some industries — especially trades, hospitality, retail, food service, and many small businesses — a phone call can work better than an email. Especially if the listing came with a phone number.
If you call, keep it short. "Hi, this is [your name]. I applied for the [Position] role last week and wanted to confirm you received my application and ask if you have any questions about my background." If they're busy, ask for a good time to call back. If they say they'll review and get back to you, thank them and end the call. Don't push.
Following up after an interview
Different rules apply once you've actually interviewed.
Within 24 hours of the interview: Send a thank-you email. (Sample in our interview prep article.)
If they gave you a timeline: Wait until that timeline passes before following up. If they said "we'll get back to you next week," don't follow up until day 8 at the earliest.
If they didn't give you a timeline: Wait one week, then send a brief check-in email. "I wanted to check in on the status of the [Position] role. I remain very interested and happy to provide any additional information."
What to avoid
- Don't follow up the same day or the next day. Give them time to actually review applications.
- Don't follow up multiple times in one week. Once a week is the maximum.
- Don't sound desperate. "Please please please give me a chance" comes across as a red flag, even if you mean it.
- Don't follow up by showing up at the company. Unless explicitly invited, this is too aggressive for almost every workplace.
- Don't follow up via LinkedIn DM unless that's the channel they've been using. Some hiring managers welcome it; others find it intrusive.
- Don't take silence personally. Hiring managers are overwhelmed. Silence usually doesn't mean rejection — it usually means they're busy.
Some employers will simply never respond. Even after multiple polite follow-ups, you'll hear nothing back. This is unfortunately common, and it's not a reflection on you — it's a reflection on a broken hiring culture. Don't take it personally. Keep applying. The right employer will respond.
Track your applications
If you're applying for many jobs, keep a simple spreadsheet:
- Company name
- Job title
- Date applied
- Where you saw the posting
- Hiring manager's name and email if available
- Date of first follow-up
- Date of second follow-up
- Outcome
This keeps you from accidentally double-applying, lets you follow up on a consistent schedule, and gives you a record of what worked and what didn't.
Most applicants never follow up. By doing so — even once — you stand out from a large majority of the people you're competing against. The five minutes it takes to write a follow-up email is one of the highest-return investments in your job search.