Should I Follow Up on a Job Application?

The hiring process can be long and drawn out from the moment you submit your application to the final signing of an offer letter. This process can make candidates antsy, wanting to reach out to an organization to check on their application status, especially if it’s an organization they are particularly excited about. The question of whether you should be following up on your application depends on the company you are applying to. However, there are some tips and tricks to follow when deciding if you should follow up and how you should do so.  

If you are contemplating following up on a job application, here are some considerations: 

When To Follow Up 

Knowing when to follow-up is key to ensuring your message will be most impactful to the hiring manager. Most experts recommend following up on your application after two weeks. Following up too closely after your submission could be ineffective as the hiring manager may have not even looked at your, or any, applications yet. But after 2 weeks, the hiring manager will have likely reviewed the applications and is close to releasing information about moving forward in the hiring process. For post-interview follow-ups, typically a thank you note the day after is considered polite and shows your interest and commitment to the organization. It is also important to note that some applications request no follow-ups, so paying attention to that request is important to remain respectful toward hiring managers. 

Call or Email? 

When the timing is right and you are ready to follow-up, deciding whether to call or email is a key decision. Emailing the hiring manager is typically a safer route to take when following up. However, calling can be very impactful, especially if it’s a job where they are considering few candidates or if you are late in the interview process and they have already narrowed down their selection. On the contrary, imagine if 50 candidates applied and they all called to follow up – that would be overwhelming to the hiring team. So, it is important to remain respectful and not overbearing.  If you are to call, it is recommended to avoid calling on Mondays and Fridays and to avoid morning time calls because they are typically the busiest and more meeting heavy. If you choose to write an email, remember to confirm your interest in the role and personalize the email, but also keep it concise since employers already have your resume and information.  

Continue Your Search 

As stated earlier, before following up, make sure you reread the content of the job listing as some listings specifically request that applicants do not follow up. If the coast in clear and you do follow up, make sure you give employers time to process your application and follow up email as it may take several days for them to get back to you. Being overly persistent could hurt your chances of securing the job. Asking about the hiring timeline could also be helpful as you know the estimated time you should hear back. If an appropriate time has passed, it may be beneficial to follow up again; however, also remember it’s important to keep applying elsewhere. Sometimes the job is not meant to be, and you need to search for different opportunities, so remember to stay positive and keep your perspective. 

Following Up on a Job Application

The job search can be a drawn out and stressful process, and waiting to hear back from an employer can add to that stress. It’s important to remember that hiring managers are busy too and reviewing hundreds of applications can be lengthy. Following-up is a great method to remind the hiring manager you are still interested and passionate about this role and can potentially turn your waiting time into an interview.   

For more guidance on interviewing and the hiring process, contact BCTG for expert advice.  

Contributions from Leah Harding