If you've applied for a job and haven't heard back, consider sending a follow-up email to check on the status of your application. You can also follow up with an email if you don't hear back after a job interview.
Don’t count on employers to keep you informed about the status of your application. Research shows that only 22% of companies communicate with candidates in a timely manner. You might need to reach out to determine your status. You may not get a reply, but it's worth spending the time it takes to follow up with the employer.
Note
If it's done strategically, following up can be a great way to reinforce why you are qualified for the job, and can even get your application a closer look.
Here's how to follow up on a job application, with advice on what to write and examples of email follow-up messages.
Key Takeaways
- If you haven't heard back on a job you've applied for, you may want to follow up your application with an email, LinkedIn message, or phone call.
- Use your email message to remind the employer why you're a good fit for the position.
- Keep your job search moving forward while you're waiting for replies. Some companies don't provide status updates on job applications.
Why Send a Follow-Up Email?
If you have, or can find, the email address of a contact at the company, an email is a quick, easy, and efficient way to reach out to the employer to check on your application. A mailed letter might take too long; an employer might make a hiring decision in that time.
A phone call or LinkedIn message are other options, but you may not be able to get contact information for the hiring manager. However you choose to reach out, make sure you are polished, professional, and polite.
How To Write a Follow-Up Email
Send it after two weeks. If you haven't heard back from the employer two weeks after sending your resume and cover letter, consider sending an email. Don’t send it any earlier. You want to give the employer enough time to read and respond to your application.
Send an email, if possible. Employers typically prefer receiving this kind of message by email; it allows them to keep a record of your contact, and they can respond quickly. However, if you need an even quicker response (say, for example, you know they are supposed to make a hiring decision very soon), you can try reaching out to the employer by phone.
Use a clear subject line. In the subject line, include the title of the job you are applying for and your name. This will allow the employer to know exactly what the email is about right away.
Be courteous. You want to be as polite and professional as possible in your email. Begin with a polite salutation and use the employer or hiring manager’s name if you have it. Begin the email by thanking the employer for taking the time to look at and consider your resume.
Keep it brief. Don’t write an extremely long email. Keep it brief so that the employer can quickly skim it and understand why you're writing.
Focus on why you are a good fit. Briefly remind the employer why you are a good fit for the job. If you have any new information you want to share (such as a new achievement at work), you might mention that here.
Ask any questions. If you have any questions related to the job or the application process, you can ask them at the end of the email.
Mention a visit. If you live far away, you might want to mention a time when you will be visiting the area and are available to meet.
Review and edit. This email is another opportunity to make a good first impression on the employer. Make sure your email is professional and thoroughly edited.
Review Follow-Up Email Examples
It is a good idea to review email examples and/or templates before writing your follow-up email. Along with helping with your layout, examples can help you see what content you should include in your document.
While examples, templates, and guidelines are a great starting point for your letter, you should always tailor your email to fit the particular job you are applying for.
Sample Follow-Up Email
Review an example of an email message to use when you have not heard back after sending a resume and cover letter to an employer.
Subject Line: Programmer Position - Jane Doe Application
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, [if you have a name, otherwise omit this line]
I hope you are well. I submitted a resume earlier this month for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union.
I am very interested in working at XYZ Company and I believe that my skills, especially my extensive C++ experience at ABC Company, would be an excellent match for this position.
If necessary, I would be glad to resend my resume or provide any further information you might need regarding my candidacy. I can be reached at 555-555-5555 or jdoe@abcd.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Jane Doe
What To Do if You Don't Hear Back
If you send your message and do not hear back after a week or so, you can try contacting the employer again. Rather than sending multiple email messages, if you can locate a contact person and phone number, you may want to try to follow up with a phone call.
Note
You can also call if the hiring manager doesn't get back to you after a job interview.
However, if you hear nothing back after this, it is best to start thinking about the next job opportunity. Don't hold up your job search waiting to hear back from a hiring manager. Keep applying and moving forward while you're waiting to hear back about interviews and job offers, so your job hunt doesn't get stalled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long should you wait after an interview to follow up?
If you inquired about next steps at the end of the job interview, and the hiring manager gave you a sense of when you’d hear from them, wait until that time period has elapsed before reaching out. Otherwise, follow up in a week or so to check in and emphasize your excitement about the job.
How long does it take to find a job?
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to find a job, depending on the job market, the roles you’re applying for, and your industry.
