How to Follow Up with a Hiring Manager After Applying (Email Templates and Best Practices)

You found a relevant job, submitted your application, and now you're waiting to hear back.

After a few days, the question starts creeping in: Should you follow up with the hiring manager after applying, or should you keep waiting?

Following up can show genuine interest, but timing matters. Reach out too early, and your application may not even have been reviewed. Wait too long, and you might miss the opportunity to reconnect.

The key is knowing when a follow-up makes sense and how to do it professionally.

Should You Follow Up After Applying?

In many cases, yes. A follow-up can reinforce your interest in the role, but timing and context matter.

You should follow up if:

• It's been 7–10 days since you applied.
• You have the recruiter's or hiring manager's contact information.
• You were referred for the role.
• The job posting is still active.
• The employer has invited candidates to reach out with questions.

You should wait if:

• You applied less than a week ago.
• The employer has shared a hiring timeline.
• The company specifically asks candidates not to follow up.
• Your application is still marked as Under Review.

Not hearing back doesn't always mean you've been rejected. Recruiters often review applications in batches, and some hiring processes simply take longer than others.

A Reddit discussion among recruiters and job seekers echoed a similar point: a polite follow-up after a reasonable wait is generally acceptable, but repeatedly checking in is unlikely to influence the hiring decision.

When to Follow Up

For most roles, wait 7–10 days before sending your first follow-up. If you don't receive a response, send one final follow-up about a week later. After that, continue applying for other opportunities.

If the employer has shared an expected hiring timeline, wait until that period has passed before reaching out.

But if you're consistently not hearing back after applying to multiple jobs, the issue may be something other than timing, such as your resume, targeting, or application strategy.

How to Follow Up with a Hiring Manager

Keep your follow-up short and professional. Recruiters review hundreds of applications, so concise messages are more likely to be read.

A good follow-up should include:

• A clear subject line.
• The role you applied for.
• When you applied.
• A brief expression of continued interest.
• A polite request for an update.
• A thank you for their time.

One recruiting professional shared an example showing how adding a little context can make a follow-up more thoughtful and memorable than sending a generic message.

The right message depends on your situation. Here are a few common examples.

Example 1: Follow-Up Email

Subject: Follow-Up on Marketing Manager Application

Hi Sarah,

I hope you're doing well.

I applied for the Marketing Manager position last week and wanted to check if there are any updates on the hiring process. I'm still very interested in the opportunity and would appreciate any update when convenient.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
John Smith

Example 2: LinkedIn Message

Hi Sarah,

I recently applied for the Marketing Manager position and wanted to introduce myself. I'm excited about the opportunity and wanted to express my continued interest while your team reviews applications.

Thank you for your time.

Best,
John

Example 3: If You Were Referred

Hi Sarah,

I recently applied for the Marketing Manager position after being referred by Alex Johnson. I wanted to follow up on my application and let you know I'm still very interested in the opportunity.

Please let me know if there's anything else I can provide.

Thank you for your time.

Best,
John Smith

Example 4: Follow-Up With an Update

Subject: Follow-Up on Marketing Manager Application

Hi Sarah,

I wanted to follow up on my application for the Marketing Manager position. Since submitting my application, I completed a Google Analytics certification that strengthened my digital marketing and campaign measurement skills.

I'm still very interested in the opportunity and would be happy to share any additional information if helpful.

Thank you for your time.

Best,
John Smith

Example 5: Second/Final Follow-Up

Subject: Following Up Again – Marketing Manager Application

Hi Sarah,

I wanted to check in one final time regarding the Marketing Manager position. I understand the hiring process can take time, so I wanted to reaffirm my interest in the role.

If there's an update on the hiring timeline, I'd appreciate hearing from you whenever convenient.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Best,
John Smith

Following up once or twice is perfectly acceptable. If you still don't hear back, continue applying for other opportunities rather than waiting on a single application.

Common Follow-Up Mistakes

Even a well-intentioned follow-up can work against you if it's poorly timed or written. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.

1. Following Up Too Soon

Recruiters often need time to review applications. Following up just a day or two after applying is unlikely to speed up the process. Unless the employer has shared a different timeline, waiting 7–10 days is usually a better approach.

2. Sending Multiple Follow-Ups

One follow-up is enough in most cases. If you don't receive a response, you can send one final reminder about a week later.

A Reddit discussion among recruiters and job seekers also highlighted that repeated follow-ups within a short period rarely improve your chances and can come across as unnecessary pressure.

3. Writing Long Emails

Hiring managers don't have time to read lengthy emails. Keep your message short, relevant, and easy to scan.

4. Following Up Without Adding Context

A message that simply says, "Just checking in" doesn't give the recruiter much to work with. Mention the role you applied for, when you applied, and briefly reaffirm your interest.

5. Contacting Multiple People at the Same Company

Avoid sending the same follow-up to several recruiters or hiring managers. One professional message to the appropriate contact is enough.

Managing Follow-Ups When Applying to Multiple Jobs

Following up is easy when you've applied to one or two jobs. It becomes much harder once you're managing applications across multiple companies.

It's easy to lose track of:

• Which jobs you've followed up on.
• When you sent your last email.
• Which recruiters responded.
• Which applications are still under review.
• Which opportunities no longer need a follow-up.

A simple tracking system can make the process much easier.

Whether you use a spreadsheet or a dedicated job search tool, keeping everything in one place helps you follow up at the right time without missing important opportunities.

Many job seekers already use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to tailor resumes, write cover letters, and prepare for interviews. LoopCV helps automate another time-consuming part of the job search by finding relevant jobs and applying to them automatically.

With LoopCV, you can:

• Discover jobs that match your skills, experience, and preferences.
• Automatically apply to relevant jobs.
• Keep all your job applications in one place.
• Manage multiple applications without relying on spreadsheets.
• Keep your job search active while waiting for employer responses.
• Spend more time preparing for interviews and networking instead of manually applying to jobs.

Conclusion

Following up after applying for a job shows professionalism when it's done at the right time. Wait about a week before reaching out, keep your message short, and avoid sending repeated reminders.

As your job search grows, staying organized becomes just as important as writing a good follow-up. Tracking your applications, follow-up dates, and recruiter responses helps you manage multiple opportunities without missing the next one.

A thoughtful follow-up won't guarantee an interview, but it can help you leave a positive impression while keeping your job search moving forward.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I wait before following up after applying?

For most jobs, wait 7–10 days before sending your first follow-up unless the employer has shared a different hiring timeline.

Is it okay to follow up more than once?

Yes. If you don't receive a response after your first follow-up, you can send one final reminder about a week later. If there's still no reply, it's usually best to move on.

Should I email or message the hiring manager on LinkedIn?

Either can work. If you have the hiring manager's email address, that's usually the preferred option. A short, professional LinkedIn message is also appropriate if email isn't available.

Does following up increase my chances of getting hired?

A follow-up won't guarantee an interview, but it can reinforce your interest and help keep your application visible during the hiring process.

What if I never hear back?

Unfortunately, not every employer responds to every applicant. Continue applying for other opportunities while keeping track of the applications you've already submitted.

Related Reads

• How Long to Hear Back After Applying?
• Applied to 100+ Jobs With No Response? Here's the Real Diagnostic
• Average Job Application Response Rate in 2026 — By Industry
• How Many Jobs Should You Apply to Every Day?