Should you follow up at all?
Yes, within reason. Hiring teams are busy and applications get buried. A short, polite follow-up brings yours back to the top of someone's inbox and shows you're genuinely interested. What it shouldn't be is pressure: one or two notes, well spaced, then move on.
When to follow up
- After applying: about a week later, if you have someone to write to. If the posting gave a date, wait until the day after it.
- After an interview: a thank-you the same day or the next, then a check-in if they pass the date they said they'd decide by.
- After silence: one more nudge about two weeks after your last contact. If there's no reply, put your energy elsewhere.
Who to send it to
A person, not a careers inbox. The best choice is someone you've already spoken to: the recruiter who scheduled your interview, or the interviewer. If you applied cold, the hiring manager or a recruiter at the company is reasonable. Reply in the same email thread if you have one, so they have the context.
What a good follow-up looks like
Three to five sentences. Name the role in the subject line so they don't have to search. Add one thing that's specific: something from the interview, or a relevant piece of work. End with an easy question. Don't apologise for writing; following up is a normal part of hiring.
Example: a week after applying
Subject: Following up: Product Designer application, Sam Lee
Hi Priya, I applied for the Product Designer role last week and wanted to make sure it reached the right place. I've spent the last three years redesigning onboarding flows for B2B tools, which looks close to what your team is working on. I'd be glad to share more if it's useful. Thanks for your time, Sam
Example: after an interview
Subject: Thank you: Product Designer interview
Hi Priya, thanks for talking with me today. Hearing how your team tests onboarding changes with support made me more keen on the role. If anything else would help your decision, just let me know. Best, Sam
Example: after the decision date passes
Subject: Product Designer role: checking in
Hi Priya, you mentioned the team hoped to decide by the end of last week, so I wanted to check in. I'm still very interested in the role and happy to answer anything else. Thanks, Sam
Keep it that short. There's nothing to add, and a long message after a missed date reads as anxious rather than keen. Delays are common and usually have nothing to do with you: someone is on holiday, the budget is being confirmed, another candidate is mid-process.
Example: when you have another offer
Subject: Product Designer process: timing question
Hi Priya, I've received an offer from another company and need to respond by Friday. Your team is my first choice, so I wanted to ask whether there's any chance of an update before then. I completely understand if not. Thanks, Sam
Only send this if it's true, and be honest that the other offer exists without naming the company. Hiring teams often can move faster for a candidate they want; they can't if they don't know.
If someone referred you
Follow up with the person who referred you first, not the recruiter. A quick note works: tell them you've applied, thank them, and ask whether there's anything useful they can share about the team. They can often find out where your application stands far faster than an email to the company can, and they'll want to know how it went either way. Whatever the outcome, close the loop and thank them again; it keeps the door open for next time.
When to stop
Two follow-ups without a reply is a clear enough answer. It's frustrating, and it's often about the company's process rather than you, but more messages won't change it. Mark the application as closed in your tracker, keep the contact details in case another role comes up, and put the time into applications that are still live. If they reply months later, and sometimes they do, you'll have everything you need to pick it up.
Mistakes to avoid
- Following up the day after applying.
- Long emails that re-send your whole cover letter.
- Guilt or pressure: "I haven't heard back and I'm disappointed".
- Following up more than twice with no reply.
Questions
How long should I wait before following up on a job application?
About a week, or until the day after any date the posting gave.
Is it rude to follow up on a job application?
No. A short, polite follow-up is normal and often appreciated. Repeated or pushy messages are what put people off.
Should I follow up by email or phone?
Email, in almost every case. It's easier for a busy recruiter to answer when they have a moment.
What if I don't know who to email?
Look for the hiring manager or a recruiter at the company. If you can't find anyone, it's fine to skip the follow-up and focus on other applications.