How to follow up on a job application

You sent the application a week ago and have heard nothing. Following up feels like pestering, and not following up feels like giving up. In most cases one short, polite message is welcome and occasionally it is what moves your application from the pile to the screen. The skill is in the timing and in keeping it brief.

First, read what they told you

Before writing anything, check the posting and the confirmation email:

• If there is a closing date, wait until it has passed. Many employers do not look at applications before then.
• If they gave a timeline, such as "we will contact shortlisted candidates within three weeks", wait until it is over.
• If the posting says "no calls or emails", respect it. Following up there works against you.

When to follow up

After applying. If no timeline was given, wait about one to two weeks. Earlier than that and the employer has probably not started reading.

After an interview. Send a short thank you within a day. If they said you would hear by a certain date, wait until a day or two after it before asking.

After a final interview. The same rule applies, even though the waiting is harder. Decisions often take longer than promised because several people have to agree.

Who to write to

Use the most direct contact you were given:

1. The person named in the posting or in the confirmation email
2. The recruiter who has already been in touch with you
3. The general careers address, if there is no named person

Reply in the same email thread where you can, so your original application is right there. Do not send messages to people at the company who have nothing to do with the hiring.

What to say after applying

Four sentences are enough: who you are, what you applied for, that you are still interested, and one reason you fit.

"Dear Ms Novak,

I applied for the Operations Coordinator role on 3 March and wanted to confirm that I am still very interested. My five years coordinating warehouse schedules for a retailer of a similar size seem closely related to what you describe. I would be glad to send anything further that would help. Thank you for your time.

Kind regards, Ana Petrovic"

Notice what the message does not do. It does not ask why you have not heard back, it does not repeat the whole CV, and it does not ask for a decision.

What to say after an interview

Within a day:

"Thank you for the conversation yesterday. I enjoyed hearing about the plans for the new warehouse, and it made me more interested in the role. If there is anything else you need from me, please let me know."

One specific detail from the conversation shows you were listening. If you forgot to mention something relevant in the interview, you can add it in one sentence.

After the promised date has passed:

"I hope the process is going well. You mentioned you expected to decide by last Friday, so I wanted to ask whether there is any update. I am still very interested in the role."

How many times

Twice at most for the same stage. One message, and a second about a week later if there is no reply. After that, assume the answer is no for now and put your energy into other applications. Silence is unpleasant but common, and it is usually about the employer's workload and not about you.

Mistakes that hurt

• Following up after two days
• Writing several paragraphs
• Sounding annoyed about the wait
• Calling repeatedly when an email would do
• Contacting several people at the company with the same question
• Asking for feedback before you have been turned down

While you wait

The most useful thing you can do after sending an application is to send the next one. Keep a simple list of where you applied, the date, the contact and when you plan to follow up. It stops you checking your inbox every hour, and it means that when someone calls you know at once which job they are talking about.

Where JobUncover fits

JobUncover works on the step before this one. It checks your fit, researches the company and builds a tailored CV and, on the higher levels, a cover letter from your real profile. It never contacts anyone for you. You send the application yourself, and any follow-up is yours to write.