How to Follow Up After Submitting Applications

Submitting a job application is just the first step in securing a position. Following up professionally can demonstrate enthusiasm, reinforce your qualifications, and increase your chances of getting noticed.

This guide provides detailed strategies, tips, and examples to help you follow up effectively without being pushy or unprofessional.

Understanding the Importance of Follow-Up

Following up shows:

• Interest and initiative
• Professionalism and communication skills
• Reinforcement of your qualifications
• Awareness of hiring processes

A well-timed follow-up can differentiate you from other candidates.

When to Follow Up

Timing is crucial:

• Wait 7–10 days after submitting an application before following up
• Consider the application deadline and hiring timeline
• Avoid multiple follow-ups in quick succession

Proper timing balances persistence with professionalism.

Preparing Your Follow-Up Message

Craft a concise and polite follow-up message:

• Begin with a greeting and mention the position applied for
• Express continued interest in the role and company
• Briefly highlight relevant skills or experience
• Politely inquire about the status of your application
• Include your contact information for convenience

Clear and professional messaging increases the likelihood of a response.

Choosing the Right Medium

Follow-up communication can vary depending on the situation:

• Email: Most common and professional method
• Phone Call: Useful if contact information is available and no response is received via email
• LinkedIn Message: Can be effective if you have connections in the company

Choose the medium that aligns with the company culture and communication preferences.

Email Template for Application Follow-Up

An effective email should be:

• Short and respectful
• Focused on interest and qualifications
• Polite without pressuring the recipient

Example:
“Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I recently submitted my application for the [Job Title] position and wanted to express my continued interest. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my [skills/experience] to [Company Name]. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]”

Professional templates save time while ensuring clarity and politeness.

Highlighting Relevant Skills

Follow-ups are an opportunity to reinforce your qualifications:

• Mention skills or achievements not fully highlighted in your initial application
• Reference specific projects or experiences that align with the role
• Keep the focus concise and relevant

Highlighting skills reminds hiring managers why you are a strong candidate.

Following Up After Interviews

Post-interview follow-ups are critical:

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
• Express gratitude for the interviewer’s time
• Reiterate interest and qualifications
• Mention a specific discussion point from the interview

Effective post-interview follow-ups leave a lasting positive impression.

Following Up After No Response

If there is no reply after your initial follow-up:

• Wait an additional 7–10 days before sending a second message
• Keep it polite and professional, reiterating interest
• Avoid frequent messages to prevent appearing pushy

Persistence should reflect professionalism, not desperation.

Leveraging LinkedIn for Follow-Up

LinkedIn can support follow-up efforts:

• Connect or message the recruiter or hiring manager politely
• Reference your application and express interest
• Engage with company posts to increase visibility

LinkedIn provides an additional touchpoint and demonstrates engagement.

Handling Rejection Gracefully

Not all applications result in interviews:

• Respond politely to rejection notifications
• Thank the employer for their consideration
• Ask for feedback if appropriate
• Express interest in future opportunities

Graceful handling maintains relationships and professional reputation.

Tracking Your Applications and Follow-Ups

Organization ensures efficiency:

• Maintain a spreadsheet of submitted applications, dates, and follow-up actions
• Note responses and deadlines
• Update contact information and communication history

Tracking prevents missed opportunities and confusion.

Customizing Follow-Up Messages

Avoid generic messages:

• Tailor follow-ups to the company, role, and contact
• Mention specific projects, initiatives, or values of the company
• Personalization increases credibility and engagement

Customized messages show genuine interest and attention to detail.

Managing Follow-Up Frequency

Balance persistence with professionalism:

• One follow-up per week is generally acceptable
• Limit to 2–3 follow-ups unless instructed otherwise
• Respect company timelines and hiring processes

Controlled follow-up frequency prevents negative impressions.

Demonstrating Enthusiasm Without Pressure

Your tone should be:

• Positive and enthusiastic
• Respectful of the recruiter’s time
• Focused on interest and qualifications

Professional enthusiasm increases the chance of consideration.

Preparing Supporting Materials

Attach or reference relevant materials if appropriate:

• Updated resume or portfolio
• Cover letter adjustments highlighting relevant skills
• Work samples that demonstrate expertise

Supporting materials reinforce your qualifications during follow-up.

Handling Automated Responses

Some applications trigger automatic replies:

• Acknowledge receipt if responding
• Follow up politely if no personal response is received
• Use the next follow-up opportunity to reinforce your interest

Understanding automated processes prevents miscommunication or frustration.

Using Networking to Support Follow-Ups

Connections can assist with follow-ups:

• Ask internal contacts for advice or to check on your application status
• Leverage referrals to enhance visibility
• Maintain professionalism in all communications

Networking complements follow-up efforts and increases chances of engagement.

Avoiding Common Follow-Up Mistakes

Mistakes to avoid:

• Sending overly long or aggressive messages
• Following up too frequently
• Using unprofessional language or casual tone
• Ignoring company instructions for communication

Avoiding errors maintains professionalism and credibility.

Preparing for Response Scenarios

Be ready for various outcomes:

• Interview invitation: Respond promptly with gratitude
• Request for additional information: Provide clearly and concisely
• No response: Consider moving on while maintaining professionalism
• Rejection: Accept gracefully and express continued interest in future roles

Preparation ensures confident and appropriate reactions.

Following Up on Internal Applications

Internal candidates also benefit from follow-ups:

• Communicate interest to HR or hiring manager respectfully
• Highlight current achievements and contributions
• Express enthusiasm for growth within the company

Internal follow-ups show initiative and commitment.

Continuous Improvement in Follow-Up Strategy

Evaluate and refine your approach:

• Analyze which messages generate responses
• Adjust tone, timing, and content based on feedback
• Seek advice from mentors or career coaches

Continuous improvement enhances effectiveness and professional growth.

Conclusion

Following up after submitting applications is a critical step in the job search process. Proper timing, professional messaging, clear reinforcement of skills, and polite persistence can significantly increase your chances of being noticed and securing interviews.

By staying organized, personalizing communication, leveraging networks, and responding gracefully to outcomes, you demonstrate professionalism, enthusiasm, and strategic awareness. Following up thoughtfully positions you as a strong candidate and helps build lasting relationships in your career journey.