When and How to Follow Up After A Job Application

You walk out of the recruiter's office. The interview, in your opinion, went well and you are feeling enthusiastic about the potential position. You would like to know if this interest is shared….Should you follow up with the recruiter? When and how?

Here are some tips to put the odds in your favor:

Respect a deadline, except to thank

Even if you are very anxious to know if you are on the short list for the job position (or even if you feel that you are the best candidate because your interlocutor has told you), avoid following up immediately, except to send a “thank you” email.

A “thank you” email is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the position, as well as keep you on the top of the employer’s mind. Be mindful, however, that although you can add a small detail that you may have omitted during your interview, it is important to keep the email brief.

After the period of time given to you has passed, send an email or call.

If the period of time that the company has given as the basis for making the decision is over, or after two weeks, it is entirely appropriate to inquire whether the position has been filled or not, by email or phone. Keep it short and positive. You could say something like:

“Hello/Dear/Good Morning Mr. Jones,

I am reaching out to you to follow up regarding my application for (job position) with your company. I am very interested in joining your team and using my (skills and experience) to further the company’s success and am excited to hear about your next steps”.

Respond quickly if you are contacted for an interview or another job offer.

Keeping your response waiting is unprofessional and gives the impression that you are not enthusiastic about the job. Don't be worried about being overly enthusiastic, recruiters are looking for candidates who really want to work for the company.

Respond using the same method they used to communicate with you. If you are called, call back as soon as possible, on the other hand if you were contacted via email, an email reply should suffice.

Even if you don't get the job, thank the recruiter for their time

You may feel angry or disappointed, but it is helpful to accept that there were probably many other qualified candidates. It is also worthwhile to consider this experience to be a part of a learning curve and another way of getting experience with the process.

Sending a “Thank You” letter or email after the interview, even if you are not selected for the job, will allow the recruiter to reconsider your application for future job postings or possibly refer you to another employer.