Job application follow-up email: what to write and when to send it

Quick answer: Send a follow-up email 7-10 business days after submitting your application, not sooner. The email should be 3-4 sentences: confirm you applied, briefly restate your specific fit for the role, and ask about next steps. Don't apologize for following up -- it's professional, not pushy. One follow-up is appropriate; two is the maximum.

Most job applicants either follow up too soon (which is annoying), too late (when the role is already filled), or never (missing the chance to stand out). A well-timed, concise follow-up puts your name back in the recruiter's inbox at the right moment.

When to follow up

7-10 business days after applying is the standard window for most roles. This gives the recruiter time to review the initial wave of applications.

Sooner if: The job listing says "urgent," "immediate start," or lists a short application deadline. In fast-moving hiring, following up at day 3-5 is appropriate.

Later if: The job listing said "no calls or emails" -- in which case following up via LinkedIn message (not email) is the alternative, and low-volume contact is critical.

Do not follow up if: The listing explicitly says not to, or the application was submitted through a portal that confirms receipt and mentions a specific review timeline. Honor stated timelines.

How to find the right person to contact

Check LinkedIn: Search for the hiring manager for the role or the talent acquisition person for the company. A first-degree connection to the hiring manager is the best path.

Check the job listing itself: Some postings include a recruiter name or department contact.

Company website: "About" or "Careers" pages sometimes list recruiting contacts.

When you can't find a direct contact: Send to the general HR email if available, addressed specifically (not "To Whom It May Concern").

The follow-up email template

Subject line: Following up -- [Job Title] Application -- [Your Name]

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Hi [Name],

I submitted my application for the [Job Title] position on [date] and wanted to briefly follow up. I'm very interested in this role because [one specific reason related to the company or role -- not just "I'm looking for new opportunities"].

I believe my background in [specific relevant experience] would be a strong fit for [specific aspect of the role]. I've attached my resume for reference.

Please let me know if you need any additional information or if there's a timeline for next steps.

Thank you for your time, [Your Name] [Phone number]

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Why this works:

• It's short (recruiters are busy)
• It references a specific reason you're interested (not generic)
• It includes one concrete credential connection to the role
• It doesn't demand a response, just invites one
• It attaches your resume so they don't have to dig in the ATS

What not to write

Don't say: "I just wanted to check in to see if you've had a chance to review my application." This is filler that adds nothing.

Don't apologize: "I hope I'm not bothering you" weakens your positioning before you've said anything substantive.

Don't be vague: "I'm excited about this opportunity" without specifics is interchangeable with every other applicant's follow-up.

Don't ask for a meeting in the first follow-up. The goal is to re-surface your candidacy, not schedule the recruiter's time before they've decided you're worth their time.

Following up after an interview

A follow-up after submitting an application is different from a thank-you email after an interview. For post-interview thank-yous, see interview thank you email.

Second follow-up

If you've heard nothing after another 7-10 business days, one more email is acceptable:

"I wanted to follow up once more on the [Job Title] role I applied for on [date]. I remain very interested and would welcome the opportunity to speak. Happy to provide any additional information."

After two unanswered follow-ups, move on. The role may be on hold, cancelled, or they've made a decision they haven't communicated.

Following up through LinkedIn

If you can't find an email contact, a LinkedIn message to the recruiter or hiring manager is an alternative. Keep it shorter than an email (2-3 sentences) and don't attach anything -- LinkedIn messages can't include attachments, and the message is the entirety of the contact.

For building a resume that makes your application worth following up on, see how to tailor your resume to a job description.

Frequently asked questions

Does following up on a job application actually help?

For most roles: yes, if done correctly. A concise, professional follow-up can elevate your candidacy above the noise of hundreds of applications, especially if your resume is already a strong match. It signals genuine interest and initiative. For highly automated ATS-heavy hiring processes (large enterprise companies), the impact is lower -- your application visibility depends more on ATS scoring than human review at this stage.

What if the application portal says "your application is under review"?

Most portal status messages are automated and don't reflect actual human review. Following up by email is still appropriate at the 7-10 day mark regardless of portal status.

Should I follow up on every application?

Not necessarily. Save follow-ups for roles where you have a direct email contact or LinkedIn connection, or where the role is particularly important to you. Mass follow-up emails to generic HR addresses are lower value. Prioritize quality over volume.

What if there's no contact information available?

Send to any available email (info@, careers@, hr@) with a specific subject line and specific recruiter name if you found it on LinkedIn. Alternatively, apply and move on -- some companies genuinely don't read follow-up emails and the effort is better spent elsewhere.

Is it appropriate to call instead of emailing?

For most white-collar roles, email is preferred. Calling a recruiter who didn't give you their number is generally too aggressive for a first-stage follow-up. If the job listing included a phone number for inquiries, that's the exception.

Use ResumeWin to make sure your resume is ATS-optimized before sending that follow-up -- if the underlying application isn't strong, the best follow-up email won't help.