How Do I Follow Up on a Job Application If I Haven't Heard Back?

If you haven't heard back after applying for a job, wait about one to two weeks after the application deadline (or one week after applying, if there's no deadline), then send a short, polite follow-up email to the hiring manager or recruiter. Keep it under 150 words, restate your interest, and ask about the timeline — don't ask why you haven't heard back yet, and never follow up more than twice.

Silence after an application is normal. Many companies take three to six weeks to review resumes, especially for roles with hundreds of applicants. A follow-up email doesn't guarantee a response, but it signals genuine interest and sometimes moves your resume back to the top of the pile.

When to send your first follow-up

• Applied through a job posting with no listed contact: Wait 1–2 weeks after the application deadline (or 2 weeks after you applied, if there's no deadline) before reaching out.
• Applied and know the recruiter or hiring manager's name: You can follow up a bit sooner — around 5–7 business days after applying.
• You had a referral: Give it about a week, since referrals are often reviewed faster.

Sending a follow-up too early can make you seem impatient. Sending one too late means the role may already be filled.

How to find who to email

• Check the job posting for a named recruiter or hiring manager.
• Search the company name plus "recruiter" or "talent acquisition" on LinkedIn.
• Look at the company's "Team" or "About" page for a relevant name.
• If you truly can't find a name, email the general careers or HR inbox listed on the posting — it's still worth doing.

Avoid calling the company's front desk or messaging executives who have nothing to do with hiring. It can come across as pushy rather than persistent.

What to write in a follow-up email

Keep it short. A hiring manager scanning dozens of emails a day will read a five-sentence note, not a five-paragraph one.

Structure:

1. A clear subject line: "Following up on [Job Title] application"
2. One sentence confirming when you applied and for what role
3. One or two sentences restating why you're a strong fit
4. A polite, direct question about next steps or timeline
5. A thank-you and your contact information

Example:

Subject: Following up on Marketing Coordinator application

Hi [Name],

I applied for the Marketing Coordinator role on [date] and wanted to follow up, as I'm very interested in the opportunity. My three years running social campaigns for [Company/type of work] line up closely with what you're looking for.

Could you let me know the expected timeline for this role, or if you need anything further from me? Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best, [Your name] [Phone number] | [Email]

How many times to follow up — and when to stop

• First follow-up: 1–2 weeks after applying (or after the deadline).
• Second follow-up: 1–2 weeks after the first, only if you still haven't heard anything.
• After that: Stop emailing. If a role stays open and you're still interested, it's fine to check back once more a month later, but repeated messages can hurt more than help.

If a recruiter clearly tells you the role is on hold, filled, or you're not moving forward, respect that and stop following up on that specific application. You can still ask to be considered for future openings.

Other ways to stay visible besides email

• Connect on LinkedIn with a short, genuine note referencing your application — don't just send a blank connection request.
• Engage with the company's posts occasionally, without being overly familiar.
• Keep applying elsewhere. A single application, even a great one, shouldn't stop your search.

Frequently asked questions

Is it bad to follow up on a job application?

No. Hiring managers generally expect and welcome one polite follow-up. It shows initiative and organization, as long as it's brief, professional, and spaced out appropriately.

What if there's no reply to my follow-up email?

Give it another one to two weeks, then consider the process closed unless you hear otherwise. Keep applying to other roles rather than waiting on one company.

Should I follow up by phone instead of email?

Email is safer for most roles since it doesn't interrupt anyone's day and gives the hiring manager a record they can reply to when free. Only call if a phone number was explicitly provided for candidate questions.

How do I follow up if I don't have a contact name?

Send your email to the general careers or HR inbox, and open with "Hello" or "Hiring Team" instead of a name. It's still worth doing, even without a specific contact.

Does following up actually help get hired?

It won't fix a resume that doesn't match the role, but for candidates who are already a good fit, a follow-up can prompt a recruiter to review an application sooner or answer questions that move things along.

Before you send that follow-up, make sure the resume behind it is doing its job. Joblio tailors your resume to each job description in minutes, so when a recruiter finally opens your application, it's an easy yes.