How to Follow Up on a Job Application [Email Templates]

You found what seems like the perfect new job opportunity for you, and spent hours tailoring your resume, writing the perfect cover letter, and fully updating your LinkedIn profile. After crafting the best application possible, you hit submit…and…crickets.

Unfortunately, it's all too common nowadays for prospective employers to ‘ghost,' or just never reply at all to applicants for a job. And for job seekers, this isn't just frustrating — it's confusing, too. Should you let it go or reach back out?

Learning how to follow up on a job application is absolutely essential to knowing exactly how to navigate this awkward portion of the hiring process.

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What is a job application email?

A job application email is a formal email that is sent by a job seeker to potential employers or hiring managers to express their interest in a specific job opening and formally apply for the position.

The primary purposes of a job application email, beyond expressing interest, include inquiring about the status of the application, submitting relevant information such as a resume and cover letter, and seeking guidance on the next steps in the hiring process.

It serves as a professional introduction and provides the employer with a comprehensive overview of the applicant's qualifications and suitability for the position.

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Why are job application emails important?

Job application emails are important for several reasons:

Initial Contact

Job application emails serve as the initial point of contact between a job seeker and a potential employer. They provide an opportunity for the job seeker to express their interest in a specific job opening, introduce themselves, and make a first impression on the employer. A well-written job application email can create a positive impression and increase the chances of the job seeker being considered for the position.

Formal Application

Relevant documents, such as a resume and cover letter, which are essential components of a job application, are typically included in a job application email. These documents allow the job seeker to showcase their qualifications, skills, and experience that are directly relevant to the job they are applying for. The job application email serves as a formal channel for submitting these documents to the employer.

Customization

Personalizing job application emails for each specific job opportunity enables job seekers to adapt their application to match the unique requirements of the position and the organization they are applying to. This level of customization showcases sincere interest and meticulousness, setting the job seeker apart from other candidates.

Professionalism

Job seekers can demonstrate their communication skills and professionalism by writing a job application email in a professional and formal tone. The email provides an opportunity for the job seeker to showcase their ability to communicate effectively in a business setting, which is an important transferable skill in many job roles.

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Should you follow up on a job application?

Yes, it can be beneficial to follow up on a job application, as it demonstrates continued interest in the position and shows proactive engagement with the hiring process.

Use your follow-up communication as an opportunity to provide additional value or information to the employer. You can highlight any relevant resume accomplishments or qualifications that may not have been included in your initial application, or express how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the job. This can reinforce your candidacy, demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position, and help you stand out from other candidates.

When to follow up on a job application

The timing for following up on a job application may vary, but a general guideline is to wait for about one to two weeks after submitting your application.

However, it's important to consider factors such as the job posting deadline, the company's hiring process, the level of the job, and any instructions provided by the employer.

Following appropriate etiquette and being mindful of the employer's timeline can help you make a positive impression when following up on a job application.

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Ways to follow up on a job application

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to following up on a job application. You can tailor your follow-up strategy to your preferences and the specific company by using various avenues.

Email

Now that we've determined that you should be following up on your job application, keep in mind that you're not the only job seeker who knows this helpful application step. Following up via email is the most common method, which means that the hiring manager's inbox is likely flooded with similar emails. You need to make sure yours stands out.

One way to make your email stand out is with a clear subject line. Including your name, the role title, and the company makes it easy for the recruiter to find your message.

Here's an example of a good, clear subject line for this type of email:

Following Up On Application for [Position] and [Company Name] - [Your Name]

Once you have your standout subject line, the body of your email should be specific, direct, and concise, while maintaining a professional tone.

Within your body paragraphs, you should:

• Briefly explain who you are
• Reiterate the exact job you applied for and outline specific skills noted in the job description
• Re-express your interest in the position
• Inquire about when you may be able to connect with the hiring manager to discuss further
• Include your contact details at the end (name, phone number, LinkedIn)

You can also re-attach your tailored resume and personalized cover letter to the email if you'd like. Of course, they should already have them on file, but this gives them quick access right in your email as they're reading through it.

Still not sure where to begin with your email? We will provide you with templates in an upcoming section.

Phone

If you sent a follow-up email about a week or two weeks after submitting a job application and still haven't received a response, you can try your luck with a phone call. The intent of the phone call should be to inquire about the status of your application, express your genuine interest in the position, and determine any next steps in the process.

Before making a phone call to follow up on a job application, it's important to consider the employer's instructions, if any, provided in the job ad or on their website. If they specifically state not to contact them by phone or if they provide other preferred methods of communication, it's best to respect their preferences and follow their instructions.

After confirming it's a convenient time to speak, or rescheduling the call for an appropriate time, you can base your phone follow-up on the sample script below:

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I recently submitted an application for the [Position] at [Company Name]. I wanted to follow up on the status of my application and inquire if there have been any updates.

[Pause and listen attentively to the response]

If the response is positive: That's great to hear! I'm very interested in the opportunity to join [Company Name], and I wanted to express my continued interest in the position. Is there any additional information or documentation that I can provide to support my application?

[Pause and listen attentively to the response]

If the response is neutral or negative: I understand that the hiring process can take time. However, I'm still very interested in the [Position] at [Company Name], and I would appreciate any updates on the status of my application or if there are any further steps I need to take.

[Pause and listen attentively to the response]

In either case: I would like to reiterate my enthusiasm for the position and my strong interest in joining the team at [Company Name]. I believe that my skills and qualifications align well with the requirements of the job, and I'm eager to contribute my experience to the company's success.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[If applicable, ask about the timeline for the hiring process or any next steps]

[If provided with additional instructions, take note and confirm your understanding]

[End the call with a polite and professional tone, expressing appreciation for their time]

After the call, remember to send a thank-you note or email to express your gratitude for the opportunity to follow up and reiterate your interest in the position.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful platform and can be a very beneficial tool throughout your job search process. If you plan to follow up on a job application with a LinkedIn message, it's crucial for your LinkedIn profile to be optimized. Teal can help!

A great way to check your LinkedIn profile is to download Teal’s Free Chrome Extension which includes an automated LinkedIn Profile Review. Once you install the extension, just go to your profile page and click on the Teal logo. You’ll see a list of recommendations on how best to optimize your profile and can make updates as needed.

If you have established a connection with the hiring manager or recruiter on LinkedIn, you can use the platform to send them a direct message as a means of following up on your application, eliminating the need to search for their direct email address.

While this is a bit more informal, the intent of your message is the same as if you sent an email or made a phone call. Introduce yourself, mention the position you applied for, express your continued interest, and inquire about the status of your application in a polite and professional manner.

Use the following template as a starting point, but make sure to tweak it to represent your voice and personal brand.

Dear [Contact Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I recently submitted my application for the [Position] at [Company], and I wanted to follow up to express my continued interest in the opportunity and inquire about the status of my application.

I am extremely excited about the possibility of joining the team at [Company], and I believe my skills and experience make me a strong fit for the [Position]. I am confident that my [mention relevant qualifications or experiences] would contribute to the success of the team and the company.

If there are any additional materials or information I can provide to support my application, please let me know. I am eager to further discuss my qualifications and how I can contribute to the success of [Company].

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Phone Number]

How to follow up on a job application (best practices)

Whether following up on your job application by email, phone, or LinkedIn, make sure you adhere to follow-up best practices. We recommend the following:

• Be patient: Give the company ample time to review your application before following up. Avoid following up too soon, as it may come across as pushy or impatient. The timeline for reviewing applications can vary depending on the company's recruitment process, so be mindful of that.
• Use a professional tone: Maintain a courteous and professional tone in your follow-up communication. Avoid sounding demanding or entitled, and always be respectful of the recipient's time and workload.
• Personalize your follow-up: Reference the specific job position, company, and date of your application in your follow-up communication. This shows that you have taken the time to tailor your message and are genuinely interested in the opportunity.
• Choose the right method: Consider the most appropriate method for following up, such as email, phone, or LinkedIn message, based on your previous communication with the company and the preferences indicated in the job posting or application instructions.
• Keep it concise: Keep your follow-up message brief and to the point. Avoid being overly verbose or repeating information that you have already provided in your application. Get straight to the point and express your interest in the position.
• Highlight your qualifications: Use your follow-up as an opportunity to reiterate your relevant qualifications or experiences that make you a strong fit for the position. This can reinforce your interest and suitability for the role.
• Express gratitude: Always express gratitude for the opportunity to apply and be considered for the position. Thank the recipient for their time and consideration, and show appreciation for their efforts in reviewing your application.
• Be professional and courteous: Regardless of the outcome of your application, maintain a professional and courteous demeanor in all your interactions with the company or its representatives. You never know when you may encounter them again in the future.

Job application email templates

We've crafted two sample job application follow-up email examples you can use as inspiration to help you write application follow-up emails for a job you recently applied for.

Template one:

Subject line: [Your Name] - Job Application Follow-up for [Position] at [Company]

Hello [Hiring Manager's Name],

A few weeks ago, I applied for the [Position Title + Hyperlink to the Application] role at [Company Name]. I'm very excited about this opportunity, so I wanted to reach out, introduce myself, and see if you have any details about the decision timeline moving forward or the next stage in the process.

I'm a [Your Current Job Title] at [Your Current Company Name] who's [insert relevant qualifications and/or accomplishments] over the last [X] years.

In particular, I'm interested in [Company Name] because [mention specific reasons why you're interested + why you'd be a good fit].

Please let me know if you have any questions about my application or require further information from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon and learning more about the timeline of a hiring decision. I can't wait to hopefully share some of my ideas on [insert challenge or goal related to your desired job title].

Best/Kind regards/Thank you,

[Your Name]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your LinkedIn]

Template two:

Subject: Follow-up on Job Application for [Position] at [Company] - [Your Name]

Dear [Hiring Manager/Recruiter's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to follow up on my recent application for the [Position] at [Company]. I am very excited about the opportunity to join your team and wanted to inquire about the status of my application.

I submitted my application on [Date] and wanted to confirm if it has been received and if there are any updates on the hiring process. I remain highly interested in this position and believe that my skills and experience align well with the requirements of the role.

I would be grateful for any information you can provide regarding the status of my application and any next steps in the hiring process. Please let me know if there are any additional materials or information I can provide to further support my candidacy.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon and discussing my qualifications in more detail.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your LinkedIn]

Teal can also be a useful tool when it comes to crafting a follow-up email.

Within Teal's Job Application Tracker are email templates to use as a starting point for a follow-up email after applying for a job. Make sure to tailor it to the specific role.

How to track your job application process

Before sending your job application follow-up email outlining your interest in the position, make sure to proofread carefully to avoid any grammatical errors. You want this email to leave a good impression in the hiring manager's inbox and prove yourself as a strong candidate to a potential employer.

Hopefully, you feel more prepared than ever to follow up on your job applications like a professional. But of course, following up starts with keeping track of where you've applied (and when you applied). Teal's Job Application Tracker makes this process simple — with the convenient and free Chrome extension, you can add your jobs to the tracker with just a few clicks and track them throughout each stage of the job search process.