Sending your resume into the job search ether—and hearing nothing—can be disheartening. But you don’t have to sit on pins and needles waiting for a response. If you’ve applied for a job and haven’t heard from the hiring manager in a week or two, go ahead and follow up.
Not sure what to say? Take a look at our guide on how to follow up on a job application, including email templates and examples.
The key to securing a job interview is leaving a good impression on the hiring manager, so make sure to follow up the right way. You want to be considered as a serious candidate, not as an entitled one.
Here's what to do if you're thinking about following up after applying for a job:
We get it: You're excited about the job, and want a response as soon as possible. However, hiring managers receive dozens of resumes and cover letters daily. They need time to process every candidate's information—including your own—before scheduling interviews. So don't act impulsively.
It's recommended to wait one to two weeks to follow up after sending your application. This will show that you're not overly anxious and respect the hiring manager's time.
Before you send that follow-up email, make sure you've really submitted your application. With all the different platforms out there today, it's easy to lose track of it. Some companies will require your resume and portfolio, while others will ask you to fill out your information at their website before sending an email—the possibilities are endless.
That said, if you don't hear from the hiring manager in two weeks, double-check to see if you followed all the steps required.
When sending a follow-up email after applying for a job, you want to contact the right person. More importantly, you want to personalize your email and show that you researched the company carefully.
Of course, this step isn't mandatory, since not every company will have the staff listed on their website or LinkedIn. So don't stress if you can't do it. Just address them as “Dear Hiring Manager” and it will be fine.
It's not common, but some companies don't want candidates to follow up after applying. In this case, they usually make it clear in the job post that if you don't hear from them after a certain date, it's because they decided to follow the process with other candidates. To avoid burning bridges and wasting your time, reread the job description to confirm that you can follow up.
OK, it's time to craft your job application follow-up email. Keep it professional, brief and clear. Recruiters already have a lot on their plate and the last thing you want is to end up with a long, boring message.
Don't know exactly what to write? Relax, and take notes of these tips on how to follow up on a job application:
Again, hiring managers are busy people and they don't have time for unnecessary long emails. Especially if they don't even know you yet. To avoid being ignored, include only essential information to express your interest in the position, as listed below.
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