Following Up After a Job Application: When and How to Do It

Reading time: 6 minutes

It's Tuesday evening. You grab your phone, open your email, and refresh. Nothing. You check your spam folder. Still nothing. Ten days ago you sent your application for that job you really wanted, and it's been silent ever since. You wonder whether you should follow up, or if that would make you seem pushy.

Almost everyone who applies for jobs knows this feeling. Yet following up after a job application is completely normal, as long as you do it at the right time and in the right tone. In this post you'll learn when that moment is and what to say, with examples you can use right away.

How long should you wait before following up on a job application?

If the job posting includes a closing date, wait until two business days after that. If there's no closing date, about a week is a good rule of thumb. After a job interview, wait until after the day you agreed on, or otherwise about a week.

There's also an external guideline to lean on. According to the Dutch NVP Code of Conduct for Recruitment, which has had a new version in effect since July 2025, an employer should let you know how the process will continue no later than two weeks after your application. Employers follow this code voluntarily, so not everyone sticks to it. But if you've heard absolutely nothing after two weeks, a friendly inquiry certainly isn't premature.

Following up too early doesn't serve much purpose. Two days after sending your application, your letter is often still sitting in a pile, and the recruiter can only tell you they haven't gotten to it yet.

Ilse and the Silent Inbox

Take Ilse, 41. She's an example, but you probably know someone like her. She applied for an office manager position at an installation company in her hometown. Exactly the kind of job she was looking for: close to home, independent, and a team she could organize. The job posting didn't mention a closing date.

After five business days she still hadn't heard anything. Her first thought was: they don't think I'm good enough, otherwise they would have called by now. Her second thought was: if I call now, I'll be that annoying applicant.

Both were wrong. When she called on day seven anyway, it turned out the manager had been on vacation for a week. The applications were still sitting untouched in his inbox. The HR employee said: "I'm glad you called. He's back on Monday, and I'll put your letter on top." Whether Ilse would get an interview, she didn't know yet at that point. But at least her letter was no longer buried at the bottom of a pile of forty.

This happens more often than you'd think. Silence doesn't always mean "no". It often simply means "busy".

Should you call or email?

A phone call often stands out more than an email. A call sticks in someone's memory, you get an answer right away, and the other person hears how you sound. Email is a good alternative if there's no phone number listed in the job posting, or if you notice your nerves are taking over the conversation.

If you choose to call, write down two or three sentences beforehand. Not to read aloud, but so you don't get stuck after "Good morning". Here's how Ilse sounded:

"Good morning, this is Ilse de Vries. Last week I applied for the office manager position. I'm still very enthusiastic about it, and I was wondering how the process is going."

That's all you need. After that, let the other person talk. At the end, ask when you can roughly expect to hear something, and write that down.

If you choose email, keep it just as short. A subject line like "Application: Office Manager, Ilse de Vries" makes it easy for them to find you. Below that, three sentences: when you applied, that you're still enthusiastic, and that you'd like to hear how the process is progressing. No long repeat of your cover letter.

What do you say when following up after a job interview?

After an interview, first thank them for the conversation and then ask about the next step. Mention one thing from the conversation that stuck with you. That shows you were truly listening, and that you still want the job.

For example: "I wanted to thank you again for last week's conversation. What you told me about the new planning system only made me more enthusiastic. Is there any more news about the next step?"

If a date was agreed upon during the interview, wait until the day after to call. Anyone who calls at nine in the morning on the agreed date mainly shows they're impatient. That's human too, but the employer doesn't need to notice it.

Preparing for your next interview? Also read preparing for a job interview.

What if you really don't hear anything?

Call or email at most twice. If you still haven't heard anything after that, let it go, as frustrating as that may be. A third or fourth attempt won't make a difference anymore, and your energy is better spent on your next application.

If you do get rejected, feel free to ask for feedback. According to the code of conduct, you're entitled to hear why you were rejected. A short, friendly question like "Could you tell me what tipped the scales?" sometimes gives you exactly the tip that helps you in your next application. If you keep getting rejected without a clear reason, it might also be your paperwork. Read why is my resume being rejected for the most common causes.

And above all, don't keep waiting for that one answer. Those who keep applying during the silence suffer less from that refresh button. An alpaca staring at one single blade of grass in the pasture won't fill its belly either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is following up after a job application pushy?

No, not if you do it once or twice and stay friendly. A brief question mainly shows that you really want the job.

Can I follow up if I applied through an application form?

Yes. If a contact person or phone number is listed with the job posting, just call that person or number. If nothing is listed, send a short email to the company's general address.

What's the best time of day to call?

Mid-morning or early afternoon, preferably not on Monday morning or Friday afternoon. That's when you're most likely to reach someone who has a moment to spare.

Keep applying while you wait

Waiting is easier if you don't pin all your hopes on one job. With the Application Package you get a polished resume and two cover letters, so your next applications go out just as strong as the first. That way, that silent inbox will make you just a little less nervous.