You've submitted your application. Now what? Most candidates simply wait — and waiting rarely gets you noticed. A well-timed, professional follow-up can move your application to the top of the pile. Here's exactly how to do it without being annoying.
Why Follow-Ups Work Recruiters manage dozens of open roles and hundreds of applications. Yours can get lost. A polite follow-up demonstrates interest, initiative, and professionalism — three traits every employer wants. Done right, it keeps you top-of-mind.
The Follow-Up Timeline - Day 0: Submit your application - Day 7: Send a brief check-in email (if the job is still open) - Day 14: Send a second, final follow-up - Day 21+: Move on unless they respond
The Day-7 Template Subject: Following up on [Job Title] application — [Your Name] "Hi [Name], I hope you're doing well. I applied for the [Job Title] position on [Date] and wanted to briefly follow up. I'm very excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company]'s work in [area], and I believe my experience with [Skill] would be a strong fit. Please let me know if there's anything else I can provide. Thanks for your time!"
The Day-14 Template (Final) "Hi [Name], I wanted to check in one more time regarding my application for [Job Title]. I completely understand you're busy, and I just wanted to reiterate my enthusiasm for the role. If the position has been filled, I'd appreciate a quick note so I can adjust my search. Thanks again!"
Etiquette Rules - Never follow up more than twice - Always reply to the same email thread - Keep it under 150 words - Don't call or message on social media unless you have an existing connection - Stay positive — never express frustration
What to Do While Waiting Don't pause your job search. Keep applying, keep networking, and keep interviewing. The candidate who follows up AND has multiple options is in the strongest position.
Bonus: The Post-Interview Thank-You Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of any interview. Reference one specific topic you discussed and reiterate your interest. This small step measurably increases your chances of moving forward.
Pro tip: Track every application — where you applied, when, and your follow-up dates. DecaJobs' application tracker makes this easy, and it's built into your free dashboard.