How do I follow up on a job application?

Question:

How do I follow up on a job application?

Answer:

There’s more than one right way…and even more wrong ways. You understandably want to check in on the status of your application, but don’t let your excitement (or anxiety) cost you a job.

Explanation:

You carefully reviewed the job posting. You tailored your resume. You painstakingly filled out the application. Maybe you even wrote an ABC cover letter. Now what?

After you’ve submitted your application, it’s perfectly acceptable to write a brief follow-up email to the recruiter. I’d recommend waiting about a week after you submitted the application. You can do this via email if you’re able to find one or via LinkedIn private message if you know the recruiter’s name and can find them there.

Unless it’s a small business, I wouldn’t recommend reaching out to the hiring manager directly, unless you already have a connection with them in some way. Hiring managers use recruiters for a reason and it’s because they simply don’t have time to do the early job funnel work of sifting through resumes and talking to lots of candidates. I know some jobseekers who have had good results this way, but I know far more who haven’t. If you decide to go that route, know that it’s a risk. And I would absolutely only do it if you have something valuable to say, rather than just asking for a status update.

So what should you say? Keep it simple.

Good morning, [recruiter name],

I was extremely excited to see [company name] was hiring for a [position title] role and I submitted my application last week. I know you’re busy and I’m sure you’ve received many applications, but I just wanted to follow up and see if you have a quick minute to provide me with an update on where you are in the hiring process. I’d really appreciate it.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if you’d like references or anything else I can provide.

Thanks,
[your name]

Unfortunately, there is every chance you won’t hear back. It’s not at all uncommon for recruiters to ignore emails like these. If they don’t respond, you can follow up a second time in one more week, but after that you should assume it’s a “no” and move on. It is, however, acceptable to send one third and final email saying you’re assuming you didn’t get the role, but that you’re really interested in working for this company and requesting that if any other roles that fit your skillset open up, they reach out. Something like this:

Good afternoon, [recruiter name],

Thank you for considering my application for the [position title] role. At this point in the process, I assume I have not been advanced to the next round of consideration. I hope that you will keep me in mind for future roles like this one should another one open up, especially one at [company name].

Thank you again and best of luck through the rest of the hiring process!
[your name]

Most people don’t write emails like these, so they can be very memorable. And, you never know, hiring could just be taking longer than anticipated. A graceful acceptance of rejection can signal a level of professionalism that not many people have.

Which brings me to my final point—it is absolutely vital that you keep things professional at all times. Don’t be pushy or impatient. Don’t take your frustration with your job search out on an individual recruiter or hiring manager. Remember, the best outcome is for you to get this job. The second best outcome is to form a connection that can help you get another job.

Next week, we’re covering how to follow up after an interview, and in two upcoming articles, we’re going to discuss how you can ask for feedback when you were unsuccessful, as well as what to do if a job you applied for (but didn’t get) was reposted.