When and How To Follow up on a Job Application

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Job hunting can be nerve-wracking, we know.

However, that’s only the start of it all and there’s quite a ways to go before you actually land the job.

Fret not! We’re here to help make the whole process easier and show you tips and tricks on how to increase your chances of getting hired.

Before you can apply for any position, of course, you need to make a resume. If you need help creating a captivating resume to impress hiring managers, our guide on how to write a resume is for you!

Now, once your resume is written and sent out, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re done.

You’re not relegated to simply waiting on a response from potential employers. You can always reach out and check-in for a follow-up. In fact, you should!

In this ResumeGiants article we’ll teach you why, when, and how to follow up with hiring managers. We’ll also go over what to say, as well as show a custom follow up on a job application sample.

Why Should You Follow Up on a Job Application? 

According to a report by Jobvite, the average hire time in 2016 was 39 days.

This number can change due to a number of variables, and every job position is different, however, it does exemplify how long and tedious the hiring process can get.

Going from application to landing the job is easier said than done. Most applicants may never even hear back from the companies they’re applying to.

This may be for numerous reasons, yet some of them are very much avoidable.

Reasons to don’t hear back from companies

Perhaps the application went into the spam box, was caught by an applicant tracking system, or simply failed to reach HR differently.

To avoid this and help your resume reach its destination, make sure to use the right resume format and that you have tailored the perfect resume email with a catchy subject line.

Even so, to absolutely make sure your resume got into the right hands you only need to write a simple follow up email after application. 

This not only makes sure HR received your resume but can help you out in multiple other ways as well.

Reaching out to the company to check on the status of your job application will ease the anxiety of waiting on a response.

This is also a good time to ask for an approximate timeline in which the decision will be made.

Finally, a follow up shows enthusiasm and proactive behavior on your part. 

Companies receive piles of resumes for a position, and you want your name to stand out and be remembered. In fact, on average, each corporate job opening receives 250 resumes.

A follow up serves to remind employers that you’re a candidate for the job position and still interested in the offer.

When Is a “Good Time” To Follow Up on a Job Application? 

Knowing how to follow up on a job isn’t enough. 

For your follow up to be effective, timing is of the essence. 

You may feel nervous and want to know more immediately, but it’s generally not a good idea to check in with an employer for at least a week after sending out your resume.

A hiring manager has a lot of applicants to go through, as well as other responsibilities. If you contact them too soon, they may not have even opened your resume yet. 

Besides that, checking in too quickly can simply put people off. An employer does want a candidate who is eager for the job, but not one who’s desperate!

A 2017 study shows that 43% of employers preferred candidates follow up one to less than two weeks after applying, while 30% prefer follow ups done two to less than three weeks later.

This way the hiring manager will have time to review your, as well as others’ applications. A follow up will serve to jog his or her memory of your resume and help you stand out.

Should you follow up your follow up?

However, what if you need to follow up your follow up?

Contacting a company should be done sparingly and if you need to further communicate it’s best to space out your communications with potential employers by at least a week.

When you shouldn’t follow up a job application?

The times when you shouldn’t follow up are when:

• The job posting explicitly says that they do not want to be contacted
• The company has already offered a response date

In other cases, it’s good to do a follow up. 

But, to avoid seeming desperate, follow up a maximum of two times, and give it some time between follow ups. 

If there’s still no response, accept that the company is simply not interested.

How To Follow Up on for a Job Application by Email 

The best way to follow up on an application is through email. We live in a digital age and pretty much everything is done online.

So it’s important to know how to write a resume follow up email on a job application.

The first step is finding the hiring manager’s contact details. To find a contact email address, you can:

• Check the job posting
• Browse the hiring company’s website
• Call the company and inquire

When writing an email follow up, remember to keep it short and to the point, both in the subject and body.

The follow up should:
Ask for the timeframe during which the hiring decision will be made

• Let employers know you are still interested in the position
• Reiterate why you’re of value to the company

Be direct, but also polite.

Follow Up Email After Sending Resume Sample 

Here you have a follow-up resume email sample that you can use that can help you write yours, and also clarifies what to say in a follow-up email after applying for a job.

Other Ways to Follow Up on a Job Application

While email is preferred by most hiring managers, a lot of them would also be happy and willing to accept a phone follow up.

On the phone, make sure you ask if the manager is available to talk with you. If they’re not, simply set up another time when you can call.

You could also do a follow up in person, although it’s a lot less convenient for everyone involved.

The Verdict

Following up on a job application may be new to you, however, employers will often appreciate it and may even expect it.

Simply make sure you:

• Follow up 1-3 weeks after applying;
• Confirm you’re still interested and reiterate your strengths and job skills;
• Keep interactions short, polite, and to the point;
• Wait at least a week before establishing another communication;

Keep all this in mind, and you’re sure to have a top-notch follow up.

Good luck!

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