How to Follow Up on a Job Application After a Week

If you're wondering how to follow up on a job application after a week, the short answer is this: send one brief, polite message to the right person, ask a single clear question, and then step back. A week is long enough to show you're interested. It is not so long that the role has gone cold.

This guide gives you a pre-send checklist, five copy-and-paste templates, notes on how norms differ by country and sector, and a clear rule for when to stop. A follow-up won't guarantee a reply or an interview. It can make you easier to remember and give you an answer sooner, so you can plan your search.

Before you follow up: a 5-minute check

Run through this list before you write anything. It stops you from sending a message that annoys the reader or is simply wasted.

1. Reread the job ad. Look for lines such as "Please do not contact us", "Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted" or a stated closing date. If the ad says not to chase, don't.
2. Check the closing date. If applications are still open, the hiring team may not have looked at anyone yet. Waiting until a few working days after the closing date is often more sensible.
3. Check your inbox and spam folder. Look for an acknowledgement, a rejection, or a request for more information that you've missed. Check the applicant portal too.
4. Find a named contact. The best person is usually the recruiter or hiring manager named in the ad, or the person who acknowledged your application. A generic careers inbox is fine if that's all there is.
5. Note exactly what you applied for. Job title, reference number and date applied. If you track this in a sheet, it takes seconds. Our guide to a job application tracker spreadsheet shows the columns worth keeping.

How to follow up on a job application after a week: step by step

1. Choose the right channel

• Email is the default for most applications. It's easy to forward and doesn't put anyone on the spot.
• LinkedIn message works if the recruiter posted the role themselves or you've already connected.
• Phone suits recruitment agencies and smaller businesses, where a quick call is common. It's less suitable for large employers with formal portals.
• The applicant portal sometimes has a messaging feature. Use it if there's no other contact route.

2. Time it well

Send your message on a working morning in the recipient's time zone, not yours. If you're applying from Lagos to Toronto, or from Manila to Sydney, check the time difference. Avoid public holidays in the employer's country.

3. Keep it short

Aim for 60–120 words. Include the job title, reference number, the date you applied, one sentence on why you're a good fit, and one question. That's it.

4. Ask one clear question

Good options: "Could you let me know where you are in the process?" or "Is there an expected timeline for the next stage?" One question is easy to answer. Three questions get ignored.

One-week check-in templates

Adapt each template to your situation. Replace anything in square brackets, and only mention skills or results that genuinely reflect your experience.

Template 1: Email to a named recruiter or hiring manager

Subject: [Job title] application – [Your name], ref [number]

Dear [Name],

I applied for the [job title] role on [date] and wanted to confirm my application arrived safely. I'm particularly interested in the role because [one specific reason linked to the ad, e.g. the focus on building reporting for the operations team].

Could you let me know the expected timeline for the next stage?

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards, [Name] [Phone] | [LinkedIn URL]

Template 2: Email to a general careers inbox

Subject: Application status – [Job title], ref [number]

Hello,

I submitted an application for [job title] (ref [number]) on [date]. I'd be grateful if you could confirm it has been received and, if possible, share an expected timeline for shortlisting.

Many thanks, [Name]

Template 3: LinkedIn message

LinkedIn messages should be even shorter, because they're read on phones.

Hi [Name], I applied for the [job title] role you posted on [date]. I'm keen on it because [one reason]. Would you be able to share where things are in the process? Thanks very much, [Name]

Template 4: Recruitment agency phone call

Agencies often handle many roles at once, so a short call can work well. Have your CV open in front of you.

"Hi [Name], it's [your name]. I applied through you for the [job title] role with [client, if named] about a week ago. I wanted to check whether my CV has gone forward to the client, and whether there's anything else you need from me."

If they say it hasn't been put forward, ask politely whether there's a gap they'd like you to address. Then follow up with a short email so there's a written record.

Template 5: Remote or international application

When you're applying across borders, a recruiter may have unspoken questions about location, time zone or right to work. Answer them briefly and truthfully.

Subject: [Job title] application – [Your name], based in [city, country]

Dear [Name],

I applied for the remote [job title] role on [date]. I'm based in [city, country] and can work [overlap hours, e.g. 9am–1pm Eastern Time]. [If relevant and true: I already have the right to work in X / I would need sponsorship.]

Could you let me know the expected timeline for the next stage?

Best regards, [Name]

What not to write

• "Just checking in to see if you got my email?" with no other context. It forces the reader to search for your application.
• Pressure or guilt. Avoid "I haven't heard anything" or "I really need this job". It puts the reader on the defensive.
• Exaggerated claims. Don't add skills or results you didn't include in your application or don't actually have. They may come up at interview.
• Attachments by default. Reattach your CV only if asked, or if you're emailing a general inbox that may not link to the portal.
• Multiple channels at once. Emailing, messaging on LinkedIn and calling on the same day feels like chasing, not following up.

How norms differ by country and sector

The basics are similar everywhere, but tone and channel vary.

• UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand: a polite, fairly understated email is usually expected. Many large employers use portals and may not answer individual queries before shortlisting.
• US and Canada: a slightly more direct tone is common, and LinkedIn messages to recruiters are widely used. Keep it brief either way.
• Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa: phone follow-ups to agencies and smaller firms are common, and some recruiters use WhatsApp. Be careful: if a "recruiter" asks for fees or moves you to a personal chat very quickly, treat it as a possible scam.
• India, the Philippines, Singapore and the UAE: agencies and in-house recruiters often expect a follow-up call or message. In the UAE, recruiters may contact candidates through WhatsApp, so keep your messages professional there too.
• Public sector roles (civil service, NHS, councils, government agencies in most countries) usually follow fixed timelines published in the ad or on the portal. Chasing rarely speeds this up. Check the published dates instead.

These are general patterns, not rules. When in doubt, follow what the job ad or the employer's careers page says.

Use the waiting time well

The week after a follow-up is a good time to prepare as if you'll get the call. If the recruiter replies with "Can you do a quick screening call tomorrow?", you'll want answers ready.

Write down three short stories from your experience using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result), linked to the main requirements in the job ad. Practise saying them aloud in under two minutes each. If you'd like structured practice, the QuickApplyPilot interviews tool suggests likely questions for a role and helps you shape STAR answers from your real experience. It's a practice aid, not a prediction of what any employer will ask.

Keep applying elsewhere at the same time. One pending application shouldn't pause your whole search.

When to stop following up

A simple rule works for most applications: one follow-up at about one week, one final follow-up about a week later, then stop. If you reach the second message, our template for a follow-up email after 2 weeks with no response covers the wording.

Stop straight away if

• The ad or an auto-reply said not to contact the team.
• You've received a rejection, even a generic one.
• The job ad has been taken down and no one has replied to two messages.
• The recruiter has told you a timeline. Wait until it has passed before contacting them again.

A final message that closes the loop

If you've had no reply after two messages, you can send one last courteous note. It leaves a good impression and lets you move on.

Dear [Name],

I understand you may have moved forward with other candidates for the [job title] role. Thank you for considering my application. I'd welcome the chance to be considered for similar roles in future.

Kind regards, [Name]

Then mark the application as closed in your tracker. If you notice that many applications end in silence or instant rejections, it may be worth checking for knock-out questions or CV format issues. Our guide on being rejected within minutes of applying explains what to look for.

Quick follow-up schedule

When	Action	Channel
Day 0	Apply and log the details	Portal or email
Day 5–7 (working days)	First short check-in	Email or LinkedIn
Day 12–14	Final polite follow-up	Same channel
After that	Closing note (optional), then stop	Email

Adjust the dates if the ad gives a closing date or timeline. Follow that first, and start counting from the closing date rather than the day you applied.