Guides · Applying
Follow-up email after applying for a job: when and what to write
A follow-up email is a short, polite check-in, not a second cover letter. It will not change a decision on its own, and some employers say clearly that they do not want one. When a follow-up does fit, keep it brief and factual.
General advice, updated 2026-10-31. Examples are fictional. Nobody can promise you an interview or an offer, and we do not.
First, check whether to follow up at all
- If the posting or the confirmation email says not to contact the team, respect that.
- If they gave a timeline, wait until it has passed.
- If there is no timeline, waiting a week or two is a reasonable default. Allow extra time around holidays.
- Only email someone whose address you found through a normal channel: the posting, the recruiter who contacted you, or a public company page.
What a good follow-up contains
- The exact job title and, if there is one, the requisition number.
- The date you applied.
- One sentence on your real match: a specific piece of experience the posting asks for.
- A polite question about the timeline, or an offer to send anything else they need.
- Your name and a way to reach you.
Template
Subject: Application for [Job title], [Requisition number if any]
Hello [Name], I applied for the [Job title] role on [date] and wanted to confirm it reached you. The role’s focus on [requirement from the posting] matches my work on [true example from your resume]. If it would help, I am happy to send anything else you need. Is there a timeline for next steps? Thank you, [Your name], [phone or email].
Fictional example: Leo, customer support applicant
Before: Just checking in again! I’m the perfect fit and I know I would be your best hire. Please let me know ASAP.
After: I applied for the Customer Support Specialist role on 3 November and wanted to confirm it reached you. Your posting mentions handling billing questions by chat; I did that daily in my last role. Is there a timeline for next steps?
Leo is fictional. The after version gives the reader something specific and checkable, and leaves out pressure and claims he cannot back.
After you send it
One follow-up is usually enough. If you do not hear back, keep applying elsewhere. Silence is common and it does not tell you anything about your resume in particular.
Check your resume against a real posting.
Paste a job description and your resume. For each requirement you get the sentence that backs it, or an honest gap. Free, no account needed.
Start the free checkQuestions
How long should I wait before following up on a job application?
Wait until any timeline they gave has passed. Without one, a week or two is a reasonable default. There is no universal rule, and some employers ask not to be contacted.
Who should I send the follow-up to?
The recruiter or hiring contact named in the posting or in a message to you. Avoid guessing personal email addresses or messaging many people at the company.
Can I attach a new resume to the follow-up?
Only if they ask. Changing your application after submitting can be confusing. If you think your resume missed something, use the free ApplyHonest check on your next application to see which requirements it backs before you send it.
Role guides: Customer support specialist, Account executive, HR generalist