When to follow up on a job application or an interview

No reply for a week: too early to follow up, or already too late? Here is the timing that works in most cases, and short messages to adapt.

Timing at a glance

• After applying: follow up after 7 to 10 business days without a reply, if the job is still posted.
• After an interview: a thank-you note within 24 hours, then a follow-up a day or two after the decision date they gave, or after a week if they gave none.
• After an unanswered follow-up: a second one a week later, then move on.
• After a rejection: a short note to thank them and ask for feedback, within a few days.

These are rules of thumb. A large company with a multi-step process replies more slowly than a startup, and if the posting or the recruiter gives a timeline, that is the one that counts.

Who to write to

The recruiter or whoever contacted you, if you have their address. Otherwise, a short LinkedIn message to the person hiring for the team. Avoid writing to several people at once about the same application: one contact, one clear follow-up.

Four templates to adapt

Follow-up after applying

Subject: Application for <job title>

Hi <first name>,

I applied for the <job title> role on <date> and wanted to follow up: I'm still very interested in the position, especially <something specific from the posting>. <One sentence on what you would bring, with a concrete result.>

Could you let me know where the process stands? Happy to talk whenever suits you.

Best,
<your name>

Thank-you after an interview

Subject: Thank you for today

Hi <first name>,

Thank you for our conversation on <day> about the <job title> role. I especially enjoyed <a topic you discussed>, and it confirmed my interest in <the team or the project>.

<Optional: something to add to one of your answers.>

Looking forward to the next steps,
<your name>

Follow-up after an interview

Subject: Following up on our <date> interview

Hi <first name>,

When we spoke on <date>, you mentioned a decision around <date given>. I wanted to check whether there is any news about the <job title> role, which I'm still very interested in.

Thanks in advance,
<your name>

After a rejection

Subject: Thank you for letting me know

Hi <first name>,

Thank you for your reply, even if it is not the one I hoped for. Would you have one or two points I could improve on? I would also like to stay in touch for future openings at <company>.

All the best,
<your name>

Mistakes that cost you

• Following up after two days: it mostly signals impatience.
• A generic message with no role or date: the recruiter cannot tell which application it is.
• Following up on a job that was taken down: check first that it is still posted.
• Pushing past two follow-ups: your energy is better spent on other applications.

Never miss a follow-up again

The hard part is not writing the follow-up, it is remembering to send it. CheckTaJob keeps the date of every application and every exchange, and points out the ones still waiting for a reply. Plugged into Claude or ChatGPT, just ask “Who should I follow up with this week?”: the assistant lists those applications and drafts a message for each one, from the history.