How to Follow Up on a Job Application

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Answering Your Questions About How to Follow Up on a Job Application

How long should you wait before following up on a job application?
Email or phone — how to follow up on a job application?
How do you politely follow up on a job application?
When do you follow up because of new developments?
How many times should you follow up after applying for a job?

You’ve submitted an impressive resume, written an attention-getting cover letter, and your qualifications match the job opening perfectly. And yet, you haven’t heard the first word from the company since you so confidently applied.

So, when and how do you follow up on a job application?

Keeping in mind that 37% of hiring managers in a recent Robert Half survey indicated that it takes three to four weeks to staff an open position, with 27% saying it takes five to eight weeks, you should be aware that you most likely won’t get an instant response unless it’s a simple message telling you the application has been received.

Taking that into consideration, how long you should wait before following up may also depend on information found in the job posting. But as a general rule, allow at least a few full business days before following up.

In some cases, knowing when and how to follow up on a job application can be just as important as knowing how to apply for a job in the first place. There are ways to let the employer know you are truly interested in the role you applied for without seeming impatient or annoying the person to whom you direct your communication.

In addition to getting any specific information you want when following up on your application, the goal is to reinforce your initial expression of interest in the job in a polite, professional manner.

Send your follow-up email or make the phone call no sooner than a few days after applying for the position. Once you do follow up on the application, give the hiring manager or recruiter at least one full business day to respond, but keep in mind the response may not be forthcoming right away. Patience is part of the equation when it comes to applying for a job.

In addition to painting you as impatient, too much follow-up on your part can be seen as revealing the larger issue of poor communication skills. And yes, it will annoy the recipient to boot.

Once you decide that you should follow up, basing your decision on time elapsed since applying and what you knew about the hiring timetable when you submitted your application, it can still be tricky to know the best way to proceed.

If you submitted your application online and it was acknowledged with an “application received” response that included a contact email address, use it on your initial follow-up communication.

If a phone number was provided as well as an email address, calling may have a bigger impact than emailing. However, a phone call is more dependent on variables outside your control, such as if the person who answers is busy with something else. If you do decide to make phone contact, keep the call focused on the information you are seeking while maintaining a polite demeanor in all your interactions.

Even if you haven’t been provided with a phone number or anything other than contact information in the job posting, there are perfectly acceptable ways to make contact without crossing any lines related to job-search etiquette.

If you know the name of the employer and title of the job you applied for, call the company and speak to the receptionist. Tell them what position you’re targeting and that you would like to follow up on your job application status. The receptionist should be able to either give you the next steps, connect you with the right person to ask, or make a note of your question and have someone get back with you later.

Similar rules apply when you’re working with a talent solutions firm to find a job. It really doesn’t hurt — and, in fact, is actually really helpful — to call the firm to make sure they have received your information and to verify that the job you’re interested in is still available. Check out the Salary Guide From Robert Half.

When considering how to follow up on a job application in a polite way, begin by knowing your objective. That can range from asking if you are still under consideration to finding out if the role has been filled, among other things. If you have a clear picture of what you want to know, you’ll be less likely to waste anyone's time.

If the hiring manager can readily see your motive for following up is related to enthusiasm for the role, that leaves an entirely different impression than a tone that could be perceived as impatient or impolite. No matter how long you wait to follow up on an application, a respectful approach can make the entire process easier for everyone involved.

One thing that can help is coming across as calm and confident. This often easier said than done, of course, but it helps to consciously cultivate this state of mind before following up. If you really feel calm and confident while taking a polite approach to your inquiry, then that’s how you’ll come across.

No matter who you are contacting about your job application status, whether it’s sending a follow-up email or using the phone, handling the communication in a professional, respectful way can only increase your chances of landing the job.

In all cases, state only the necessary background information about your initial application (such as your name, the job you are applying for and the date you submitted the application) before asking your primary question. This is not the time to reiterate information you provided in the resume or cover letter. Before signing off or ending the call, thank the recipient for their time.

If you are interviewing for other jobs or are lucky enough to have a job offer in hand, that’s a good reason to let the employer know of your change in status. If you are still interested in the job in this type of situation, your goal is not to give the hiring manager an ultimatum but to encourage them to arrange an interview sooner rather than later.

Another development you would want to convey is no longer being interested in the position. This can be handled by email unless you’ve been specific instructions to communicate by phone.

Follow up in a measured, respectful way until the employer gives you a reason to stop — such as letting you know the role has been filled. If you happen to get specific instructions on how and when to make contact, such as being told to follow up again if you haven’t heard anything by this time next week, by all means follow those instructions to the letter.

At some point, the company may tell you the role has been filled. Obviously, this means you can stop contacting them about the status of your application. It’s also possible you may never get a response to your follow-up attempts. If you have followed up a few times and still have not heard back, that’s a strong sign to move on. Subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter for more tips on how to land a job and succeed in your career.

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