Job application follow-up email templates (free, copy & paste)
Seven short, polite templates covering every follow-up situation, from "I applied two weeks ago" to "I've been ghosted". Each one says when to send it. Swap in the [brackets], keep it brief, and send.
When to follow up: quick rules
| Situation | Wait |
|---|---|
| After applying | 7–14 days (Indeed's guidance), or just after the closing date |
| Thank-you after interview | Same day or next morning |
| After interview, no news | 1–2 business days past the date they gave; otherwise about a week |
| Second nudge | About a week after the first |
| Stop | After two follow-ups with no reply, send the closing note (template 5) |
Does following up after applying actually work? It's mixed. In one r/jobsearchhacks thread, a user who follows up after two weeks reported a median of six days to hear back. That's one person's experience, but it costs you two minutes.
1. Following up after applying (no response)
When: 7–14 days after applying, or just after the closing date
Subject: Following up: [Job title] application, [Your name] Hi [Name], I applied for the [Job title] role on [date] and wanted to follow up to confirm my application arrived and to restate my interest. [One sentence on your most relevant result, e.g. "In my current role I cut onboarding time by a third by rebuilding our training docs."] I'd be glad to share anything else that would help. Thanks for your time. Best, [Your name] [Phone] · [LinkedIn]
2. Thank-you email after an interview
When: Same day or next morning
Subject: Thank you, [Job title] interview Hi [Name], Thank you for speaking with me today about the [Job title] role. I enjoyed hearing about [specific thing they mentioned, e.g. the plan to launch in two new markets], and it made me even more interested in the position. [Optional: one line answering something you wish you'd said better.] I look forward to hearing about next steps. Best, [Your name]
3. No response after an interview
When: 1–2 business days after the date they gave, or about a week if they gave none
Subject: Re: [Job title] interview, checking in Hi [Name], I hope your week is going well. I wanted to check in on the [Job title] role following our conversation on [date]. I'm still very interested and would welcome any update on the timeline. Thanks again, [Your name]
4. Second follow-up (still nothing)
When: About a week after template 3
Subject: Re: [Job title] interview, checking in Hi [Name], Just following up on my note from [date]. I understand hiring timelines shift. If the role is still open, I'd love to stay in consideration. If it's been filled, I'd appreciate knowing so I can plan accordingly. Best, [Your name]
5. Closing the loop when you've been ghosted
When: When you've decided to move on
Subject: Re: [Job title] Hi [Name], I haven't heard back about the [Job title] role, so I'll assume you've moved forward with other candidates. Thank you for your time. I enjoyed learning about [team/company] and would be glad to be considered for future roles. All the best, [Your name]
6. You have another offer and need an answer
When: As soon as you have a deadline from another company
Subject: [Job title], timeline question Hi [Name], I wanted to let you know that I've received an offer from another company and have been asked to respond by [date]. [Company] remains my first choice, so before I decide, is there any update you can share on your timeline? Thank you, [Your name]
7. Reconnecting with a recruiter
When: Any time, when you're actively looking
Subject: Open to [type of role] roles, [Your name] Hi [Name], We spoke in [month/year] about [role/company]. I'm now actively looking for [type of role] roles in [location/remote], ideally [one or two must-haves]. My updated CV is attached. If anything comes up that fits, I'd be glad to chat. Thanks, [Your name]
See the tracker on Payhip
Tips that make follow-ups land
- Reply in the same thread where possible, so they have the context.
- Find a person. A named recruiter or hiring manager beats a generic careers inbox.
- Add something new, like a result, a link or a short answer to an interview question.
- Keep it under 120 words. Nobody wants to scroll through a follow-up.
- Track it. Note the date you sent each follow-up so you don't double-send or forget. Here's how to track job applications.
FAQ
How long should I wait to follow up on a job application?
About one to two weeks after applying is the usual guidance (Indeed suggests 7 to 14 days), unless the posting gave a closing date or timeline, in which case wait until shortly after that.
What should the subject line of a follow-up email be?
Keep it specific and searchable: the job title plus your name, for example 'Following up: Marketing Coordinator application, Jane Doe'. Replying in the existing email thread is even better.
How many times should I follow up after an interview?
Usually twice at most: once shortly after the date they said they'd decide, and once more about a week later. After that, send a short closing note and move on.
Should I send a thank-you email after an interview?
Yes, ideally the same day or the next day. Keep it short: thank them, mention one specific thing from the conversation, and restate your interest.