Follow-Up Email After Submitting A Job Application is a key focus of this guide. Sending a follow-up email after a job application is one of those moves that most candidates skip because they are not sure if it is appropriate or when to do it. Done right, a follow-up can move your application from the pile to the top. Here is exactly how to do it.
Get recruiter-backed job search tips
Wait Five to Seven Business Days After Applying
The right window for a follow-up is five to seven business days after submitting your application. This gives the recruiter or hiring manager time to process applications and shows that you are interested but not desperate. Following up the next day reads as impatient.
Find the Right Person to Contact
Ideally, you send your follow-up directly to the hiring manager or recruiter listed in the posting. LinkedIn is the best place to find their contact information or at least their email format. If you cannot find a direct contact, the general company careers email is acceptable, though less effective. For more on this, see our guide on follow up after submitting a job application.
Keep the Email Very Short
Three sentences is enough: reference the role you applied for and the date, express continued interest, and offer to provide any additional information they need. That is it. A long follow-up is not more impressive than a short one. Recruiters are busy and a tight, professional email is more respectful of their time.
Reference Something That Reinforces Your Fit
In one sentence, remind them of your most relevant qualification or your connection to the company. “I wanted to reiterate my strong interest in the Operations Manager role. My background managing multi-site logistics for a 200-person team seems directly relevant to what you are building.” This is a reminder, not a full pitch.
Do Not Follow Up More Than Once on an Initial Application
If you do not hear back after your follow-up, that is the signal. One follow-up after an application is professional. Two is pushing it. Moving on mentally while keeping the application active is healthier than repeated outreach that is unlikely to change the outcome. For more on this, see our guide on follow up after applying for a job.
Read next
- How to Write a Subject Line for a Job Application Email
- How to Write a Thank You Email After a Job Interview
- Common Job Application Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a recruiter spend looking at a resume?
Recruiters typically spend 6-10 seconds on an initial scan. They look for job title relevance, company names, and whether the most recent role is at the right level for the position.
What do recruiters look for first on a resume?
Most recruiters look first at your most recent job title and company, then check dates for gaps or progression, then assess whether the experience level matches what they need.
Should I include a summary at the top of my resume?
Yes, for experienced candidates. A 2-3 sentence summary that speaks directly to your target role helps recruiters understand your value instantly.
How many bullet points should each job have?
3-5 bullets for recent roles, 1-2 for older ones. Each bullet should describe an accomplishment or outcome, not just a task or responsibility.
The visible job market, meaning the postings on LinkedIn and Indeed that everyone can see, represents only about a third of available opportunities at any given time. The other two-thirds exist in conversations that happen before a role is posted, often because a manager told their network they are planning to hire, or because a company is considering creating a new position. Getting access to that hidden market requires a proactive outreach strategy, not just application tracking.
A common mistake I see job seekers make is treating their search like a numbers game. Sending 50 generic applications a week feels productive, but the conversion rate is often less than one percent. Sending ten targeted, customized applications to roles where you have a genuine connection, a referral, or a specific point of differentiation will almost always generate more interviews and better outcomes.
Tracking your applications in a spreadsheet is not optional, it is essential. Document the company, role, date applied, and contact name for every application. Follow up on every application where you have a specific contact. Set a calendar reminder to check in seven to ten days after applying. Candidates who follow up thoughtfully get callbacks at a significantly higher rate than those who apply and wait. For more on this, see our guide on write a job application email that gets read.
Get your free resume review from a real recruiter
At AskTheRecruiter.com, every resume review is done by a human recruiter with years of hiring experience. You’ll get honest, specific feedback you can act on right away. No automated scoring, no generic tips.