How to Follow Up on a Job Application (With Templates)

You sent your CV and now you're waiting. Knowing how to follow up on a job application, politely and at the right time, can help your name stand out without annoying the recruiter. This guide gives you simple timelines, what to say, and follow up job application templates you can copy.

Why following up matters (and why most people get it wrong)

A follow-up is not begging for a reply. It helps the recruiter find your application again, shows you're still interested, and makes it easy to move you to the next step.

Recruiters often get hundreds of applications for one job. When your email arrives, they will usually search their inbox or system for your name, the job title or the reference number. If your message doesn't include these, it's harder for them to find you.

The most common mistake is sending a vague message like "Any feedback?" too soon, or following up again and again without adding anything useful.

Compare these two messages:

• Weak: "Hi, I applied for a job. Any feedback?"
• Strong: "I applied for the Admin Clerk position (Ref: AC204) on 3 March and wanted to confirm that my application was received. I'm still very interested."

The strong version tells the recruiter exactly which job, when you applied and how to find you. That takes them seconds instead of minutes.

When to follow up on a job application: simple timelines

Timing matters. Too soon looks impatient. Too late, and the shortlist may already be done.

If the advert gave a closing date

• Wait until 2–3 working days after the closing date before you follow up.
• If you applied close to the deadline, give it a little longer. Your application may be in a big batch.

If the advert did not give a closing date

• Follow up 5–7 working days after applying.
• For high-volume jobs (retail, call centre, general admin), rather follow up closer to the 7-day mark. These recruiters are often working through a very big pile.

If you had an interview

• Send a thank-you message within 24 hours. See our thank-you email after interview template for more examples.
• If they told you when they would decide, follow up the next working day after that date passes.

"Working days" means Monday to Friday, not counting public holidays.

Before you follow up: do this 3-minute check

1. Re-read the job advert. Check if it says candidates must not follow up, or that you should only use one channel (for example, email only). If it says "no follow-ups" or "if you have not heard from us within a certain time, consider your application unsuccessful", respect that.
2. Make sure your CV profile is up to date so you don't send someone to an incomplete profile. If needed, update your CV profile first.
3. Check that the CV you sent is easy to open and consistent (job titles, dates, contact details). If you're not sure, choose a CV design and re-check the formatting before you resend anything.
4. Find your original application. Look in your sent emails for the date you applied, the exact job title and any reference number. You'll need these in your message.

What to say: a good follow-up message structure

Keep it to 4–6 short lines. Include:

• The job you applied for (and the reference number if there is one)
• The date you applied
• One line that shows why you're a good fit (not your whole life story)
• A polite question about next steps
• Your full name and cell number

No work experience yet? Your "fit" line can still be strong. Mention a skill, subject or activity that matches the job. For example:

• "I have good computer skills from my matric CAT subject and I'm comfortable with data capturing."
• "I volunteered at my church's events for two years, so I'm used to working with the public."

Email templates you can copy and paste

Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details. Keep the message short. If you need help with the basics of sending emails to employers, read how to email your CV.

Template 1: Follow-up after submitting an application

Use this when you know the name of the recruiter or hiring manager.

Template 2: Follow-up when you have no contact person

Use this when the advert only gave a general email address, like a "careers" or "recruitment" inbox.

If there's no reference number, simply remove that part of the sentence.

Template 3: Follow-up after an interview (short and professional)

Use this after an interview, either as your thank-you message or when the decision date has passed.

Template 4: Final follow-up (if you heard nothing)

Send this only once, 5–7 working days after your first follow-up. It closes the loop politely and leaves the door open.

LinkedIn follow-up: when it's appropriate (and when it isn't)

LinkedIn can work well if the job ad gives the hiring manager's name, or if you're already connected with them.

• Do: keep it short and friendly, and mention the job title and date you applied.
• Don't: send your full CV in a chat message, or message several people at the same company about the same job.
• Don't: use LinkedIn if the advert said to use email only.

LinkedIn message template

How many times should you follow up?

• After applying: follow up once.
• If there's no response, you may send one final follow-up 5–7 working days later (see Template 4).
• After that, move on and keep applying, without burning the bridge. A polite last message means they may still remember you for the next opening.

Silence is not always a "no". Sometimes the hiring process is simply slow. But don't put your job search on hold while you wait.

Common follow-up mistakes to avoid

• Following up within 24–48 hours (unless the recruiter invited you to).
• Using guilt or pressure, for example "I really need this job" or "Why haven't you replied?"
• Sending long paragraphs that repeat your whole CV.
• Replying to the wrong thread or forgetting the job title in the subject line.
• Attaching several versions of your CV with confusing filenames like "CV final 2 NEW.pdf". Use one clear name, for example "Thandi Mokoena CV.pdf".
• Sending the same message to many companies with the wrong company name or job title left in.

Make your follow-up easier by keeping your CV ready

Following up works best when your documents are organised and consistent. If you're still building your profile, create a free CV and keep one "main" version updated so you can apply and follow up quickly.

If you already have an account, log in to CV Hub and check that your contact details, dates and latest responsibilities are current.

Small problems slow recruiters down. For example, a cell number on your CV that doesn't match the one in your email, or an old email address you no longer check, can mean you miss an interview call.

If you're not hearing back, don't guess. Adjust your approach

If you're applying regularly and getting no replies, the problem may be how clear and readable your CV is, not how hard you're trying. Before you send more applications, review your layout and structure with this guide: How to Make Your CV Easier to Read (So Recruiters Don't Miss What Matters).

It also helps to:

• Check your CV for the most common CV mistakes.
• Tailor your CV to each job description so the recruiter quickly sees that you match what they asked for.
• Get ready early with our interview preparation checklist, so you're prepared when a call does come.

Quick checklist: your follow-up in one minute

• I waited an appropriate amount of time.
• I checked that the advert doesn't say "no follow-ups".
• I included the job title, date applied and reference number (if any).
• I kept the message short and polite.
• I made it easy to contact me (name + cell number).
• My CV profile is updated and consistent.

If you're stuck or unsure how CV Hub works, you can read the CV Hub FAQ or contact CV Hub.