Silence after an application is frustrating — and very common. Recruiters handle many roles at once, and applications can sit unread for days. A polite, well-timed follow-up can bring your application back to the top of the pile.
When to follow up
| Situation | When to follow up |
|---|---|
| Applied online, no closing date | About 1–2 weeks after applying |
| Advert had a closing date | 1 week after the closing date |
| Applied by email to a named person | 5–7 working days later |
| After an interview | Thank-you email within 24 hours; follow-up after the promised decision date |
Follow-up email template
Subject: Application for Sales Executive — Fatima Noor
Dear Hiring Manager,
I applied for the Sales Executive position on 3 October and wanted to confirm that my application was received. I remain very interested in the role — in my current position I exceeded my annual target by 18%, and I would welcome the chance to bring the same results to your team.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards, Fatima Noor · +92 300 0000000
Put this into practice
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Do's and don'ts
Do
- Keep it under 120 words
- Add one new reason you are a strong fit
- Use the job title in the subject line
- Follow up once, and perhaps a second time after another week
Don't
- Send daily messages or call repeatedly
- Sound frustrated or demanding
- Attach your CV again unless asked
- Message lots of different employees at the company
If you never hear back
Sometimes employers simply do not reply. After two polite follow-ups, move on — and keep applying elsewhere while you wait. Use each silence as a prompt to improve your application: check your CV against the job description with our free ATS resume checker, and tailor your cover letter for the next role.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to follow up on a job application?+
No. A single polite follow-up after a reasonable time is professional and common.
Should I call instead of emailing?+
Email is usually better because the recruiter can reply when convenient. Call only if the advert lists a phone number for enquiries.
BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.