Job Application Follow Up Email

Sending a job application follow up email is the right course of action if you have not heard anything after submitting your application and you have given the employer sufficient time to get back to you.

Follow up on job application email

How long should I wait before sending a job application follow up email?

First check the job posting to see if there is a timeline provided with a response date or if it is explicitly stated that the employer does not want you to contact them about the status of your job application. It is advisable to follow these instructions.

If the job posting does not provide these details,  it is appropriate to send a follow up email after a reasonable period of time. There is no fixed rule as to how long you should wait before following up, but in general it should not be less than a week after submitting your application. Surveys of human resource managers indicate that the best time to follow up is one to two weeks after submitting your application.

However, all these human resource managers agreed that it was important for job seekers to follow up as part of their application process.  A job application follow up email is an indication of your enthusiasm and can help your chances of getting an interview.

Who do I send the email to?

It is best to send your email directly to the hiring manager.

If you applied through a job board and you have no direct email address for the person responsible for hiring, you can check the company website for the hiring manager's email address. If you cannot find it on the website simply call the company and ask the receptionist for those details.

What should I put for the email subject line?

Your email subject line should clearly state the position you applied for and your name.

For example: John Smith -  Marketing Assistant Job Application Follow Up

What should I include in my job application follow up email?

  • Keep it professional, short and to the point.
  • Be polite and avoid anything that might be interpreted as criticism that the employer has not got back to you.
  • Begin by acknowledging that the hiring manager is probably very busy and politely request an update on the hiring process and status of your job application.
  • Briefly reinforce your enthusiasm for the position and highlight your suitability for the job by mentioning a few specific skills that relate to the job opportunity.
  • In closing, state your appreciation of the hiring manager's time and consideration and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing back from him or her soon. 

Sample job application follow up emails

Sample 1

Subject: Jane Smith - Administrative Assistant Job Application Follow Up

Dear Mrs Brown

I know how busy you must be, but I recently applied to the Administrative Assistant position and I would like to kindly ask if you could provide me with an update on the status of my job application.

I am very enthusiastic about both the position and joining such a reputable company. I am confident that my excellent computer skills and solid administrative experience will enable me to successfully fulfill the administrative assistant role.

I look forward to hearing from you soon, and thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

Jane Smith                                                                                                                           jane.smith@email.com                                                                                                                                  phone number

Sample 2

Subject: Jack Jones - Following up on Marketing Assistant application

Good Morning Mr Hill

I am writing to follow up on my recent application for the Marketing Assistant position and to respectfully ask if you could provide me with  your decision timeline.

I am very interested in the job opportunity and excited about working at such an innovative company. I am convinced that my strong social media skills and broad experience working on successful marketing campaigns will enable me to contribute significantly to your marketing team.

Please let me know if you require any further information. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Jack Jones                                                                                                                          jack.jones@email.com                                                                                                                                  phone number

Follow up email after job application

What should I do if I get no response to my job application follow up email?

If your first follow up email does not get a response it is advisable to try one more time before moving on. You can email again or you can consider an alternative method of contact, such as a phone call.

Wait at least a week before making contact again. If you don't hear back after this, it is likely that your job application is unsuccessful and it is best to look at other job opportunities.

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