How to follow up on a job application
Most applications get no reply at all. That silence is rarely a decision about you. Recruiters work on many roles at once, and hiring timelines slip. A short, polite follow-up is normal, it is not pushy, and now and then it moves your application back to the top of the pile.
When to send it
- After applying: wait about a week, or until the closing date in the posting has passed.
- After an interview: a thank-you message the same day or the next morning. Then a follow-up if you have heard nothing a few days after the date they said they would decide.
- After a follow-up with no reply: one more, a week later, is fine. After that, let it go and put the energy into other applications.
Who to send it to
The person you have actually been in contact with: the recruiter who called you, or the person who interviewed you. If you applied through a portal and have no contact at all, look up the recruiter or hiring manager for that team on LinkedIn and send a short message there. A named person is almost always better than a general careers inbox.
Template: after applying
Subject: Application for Marketing Analyst, [Your Name]
Hello Ms. Sari,
I applied for the Marketing Analyst position on 2 September and wanted to confirm my application was received. I am still very interested in the role, especially its focus on campaign performance analysis, which is what I have been doing for the past two years.
I am happy to share more detail on any part of my experience if that would help.
Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]
[Phone number]
Template: after an interview
Subject: Thank you, Marketing Analyst interview
Hello Mr. Budi,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I enjoyed hearing how the team is rebuilding its reporting, and our conversation made me more confident that this role is a good fit.
I look forward to hearing about the next steps.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
What to avoid
- A message that only says "any update?". Add one line of real interest or a relevant detail.
- Following up every two or three days.
- Attaching your CV again when nobody asked. They already have it.
- Sending the same message by email, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp at once.
- Messaging a recruiter on WhatsApp unless they contacted you there first.