Tips on how to follow up on a job application (+ email templates)

Did you know that following up after a job application is often an expected part of the application process?

When on the job search, it’s not necessarily enough to submit a great job application (📄 cover letter and resume) and then wait for the hiring manager of your dream employer to get back to you. Very often you will need to actively “hunt” for the new job.

In fact, this may mean sending a follow-up message to your potential employer inquiring about the status of your application. However, job seekers need to be very careful here so as not to gamble their cards on the perfect job by sending sloppy follow-up emails.

📝 Note: You may also have already been to a job interview and then write a follow-up letter.

🤔 But how do you write a follow-up email message? (And maybe even help influence the hiring decision in a smart way?)

In this article, we’ll tell you how to properly follow up on an application, provide you with useful samples, and also tell you what to do if you don’t receive a response to your job application at all from the hiring manager.

How should you follow up after applying for a job?

Do you need to start making phone calls to follow up on the job listing you recently applied to?

This is definitely not necessary. It’s perfectly acceptable to send the hiring manager a brief message that serves as a quick reminder.

However, before sending follow-up emails, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

• Your follow-up email has to be short and specific.
• The job title and your name should already be in the subject line.
• Let the recipient know you are highly interested in the position by emphasizing again that you would be a great fit for the role.

📝 Note: It’s really important to keep your writing brief, as hiring managers are likely to receive messages from many other candidates as well. If your follow-up email is too long, the recruiter may not read it at all.

To sum it up, your follow-up note should mainly express your continued interest in the position and include a question about when applicants will be able to expect the next steps.

When is the right time in the hiring process to follow up on an application?

Since you do not know the company’s hiring process and how long it usually takes them to review job applications, it is important that you give them sufficient time.

Therefore, it is typically recommended to wait about two weeks before inquiring about the job posting and the status of your job application.

How do you politely ask the hiring manager about your application status?

So, how exactly can you “build” your job application follow-up email and make it sound professional?

Let’s take a closer look:

Step #1: Write concise subject lines

In a follow-up email, a clear subject line is very important.

🚫 This means, don’t just write “Inquiry about the status of my application” or something of that nature. This sentence doesn’t convey anything at all and will most likely only cause the hiring manager to move your email to trash.

✅ Examples of good inquiry about job application subject lines:

• Job follow-up: [job title]
• [Job title]: quick follow-up
• Following up on a job application for [job title]

Step #2: Find out the hiring manager’s name

The next step is to address your letter to a specific person.

🚫 If the job description doesn’t specify who to contact, ✅ do some research on the company website or professional networks.

💡 Tip: Check out their LinkedIn profile or other social networks. These serve as a modern alternative to contacting someone by email and are often easier because you don’t have to look for the direct email address of the hiring manager.

📝 Note: There, you can also find out if you already have a personal connection to someone in the organization! You’re often much more likely to get a response to your job application if a colleague within the company can put in a good word for you.

Step #3: Describe your interest in the position

Now it’s time to describe your cause in no more than three paragraphs.

✅ To learn about the best way to do this, simply take a look at our examples of follow-up messages and email templates!

📝 Note: We’ve also included a LinkedIn message, as this may be your top choice for a follow-up note to your application!

Sample job application follow-up messages to a hiring manager

💭 Here are some great examples of follow-up notes you can use for inspiration!

#1: Sample follow-up email after application

Dear Ms. Jameson,

I am writing to follow up on my October 10 application for the Marketing Manager position and to confirm my interest in interviewing with the hiring team.

As stated in the job description, you require a proactive, can-do individual with excellent communication skills, and I hope this follow-up email serves as a demonstration of both. I also will be bringing two years of marketing experience to the table. I am truly thrilled about the work at your company, and it would be my pleasure to support the marketing team.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Layla Adams

💡 Tip: The hiring manager is even more likely to respond if you add a call to action, such as asking a polite follow-up question about the job posting.

📝 Note: If you have already had an interview with the company, you can also add, “Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information. I look forward to speaking with you again!”

#2: Example of a job application follow-up letter

Dear Mr. Jackson,

Last week I applied for the position of Chemical Engineer. I would now like to kindly inquire about your decision timeline.

I am very excited about the prospect of joining your team and using my years of experience in this field to help propel the company forward. Please let me know if you need any further details regarding my application. I would be happy to discuss with you the extent to which my qualifications match your company’s job description.

I look forward to speaking with you and sharing my vision of how I can help you with upcoming professional challenges.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Ohanwe

#3: Sample follow-up LinkedIn message after application

Dear Ms. Nowak,

I applied for the Data Entry Specialist position last month.

Given my previous work in this area, I am confident that I could assume the position and make an immediate impact. I would be happy to discuss the role with you if the opportunity still exists.

If you have not yet received my resume, I am happy to attach it here as well.

I look forward to speaking with you!

Best,

Kathy Miller

💡 Tip: Your LinkedIn message can be a little less formal, but always keep in mind the field you are applying to and adjust your language accordingly.

Professional email template for following up on job applications

🚀 Last but not least, we have a professional template for you to use when you’re ready to write your own follow-up mail!

Subject: Following up on [Position Title] at [Company Name]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I recently submitted my application for the position of [Job Title]. I would like to kindly ask you to inform me of your decision timeline.

I am very enthusiastic about joining your team and using [specific skills and expertise] to help you [benefit the company].

Please let me know if you need any further details regarding my application. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing my ideas on how I can assist you with your upcoming challenges.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

What can you do if you do not receive a response to your job application?

What can you do if you don’t receive a response to your application or follow-up email?

Do you now have to make that dreaded phone call to the hiring manager?

It really depends: If the job listing specifically states that candidates are not supposed to be calling or emailing, then you shouldn’t follow up at all. It’s also generally not advisable to contact the organization personally if you’ve applied via an online portal or job board, for example.

However, if it is your dream job – 🎯 and you really believe you are a perfect fit for the job opportunity – and you suspect you may have just happened to go unnoticed:

🚀 Ensure to stand out in the hiring manager’s inbox.

• Most importantly, you need to make it really evident why you’re writing.
• Also, don’t skip including the job title in the subject line, as the hiring manager is likely to be familiar with it and may also be getting other emails about the role from their team, or perhaps from other hiring managers who work on the same job opening.

✨ With these insider tips in mind, you might just get a job offer after all!

How to follow up on a job application – conclusion

After applying to your preferred job ad, you may need to contact hiring managers to move forward in the application process.

Although in some cases a phone call may be expected, this is not the usual way to follow up nowadays. To inquire about a job, you typically wait around two weeks and then send a message to the hiring manager’s direct email address or LinkedIn profile.

In this message, you restate your relevant experience and one or two key achievements; pretty much a short version of what makes you a strong candidate, since you’ve already detailed this in your job application.

If you’ve already had an interview with the potential employer and want to follow up afterwards, it’s always good to mention something you discussed with the hiring manager.

This could even be something personal (especially if you’re following up on LinkedIn or in a more informal way), but ideally it should be about a professional accomplishment of yours that you talked about during the interview.

🙌 Best of luck to you in your search for a new job and in landing a job offer later on!

💡 Tip: Are you by any chance moving on to the next job application because the follow-up didn’t work out? There are bound to be more great jobs out there, don’t worry! In the meantime, if you want to fine-tune your resumes and cover letters, check out our guide.

How to follow up on a job application – FAQ