Based on Careery's analysis of 1,000+ job applications, the median response time is 6-7 days, and 75% of responses arrive within 8 days. The optimal follow-up window is Day 8-10—after most responses would have arrived, but before you're forgotten. After 45 days with no response, move on.
- When to follow up based on actual response-time data
- The optimal follow-up window (Day 8-10)
- Who to contact: recruiter, hiring manager, or HR
- Follow-up email templates for different situations
- Seasonal patterns: fastest and slowest months
- When to stop following up (the 45-day threshold)
Quick Answers
How long should I wait before following up on a job application?
Wait 8-10 days. Research shows 75% of responses arrive within 8 days. Following up before that may be premature; waiting much longer risks being forgotten.
Is it okay to follow up on a job application?
Yes—one polite follow-up is appropriate and expected. Most recruiters view it as a sign of genuine interest. Multiple follow-ups, however, can hurt your chances.
How many times should I follow up?
Once, maybe twice. Send your first follow-up at Day 8-10. If no response after another week, you can send one more brief check-in. After that, move on.
When should I give up on a job application?
After 45 days with no response, it's almost certainly a silent rejection. Focus your energy on active opportunities rather than waiting indefinitely.
Most advice about following up on job applications is based on guesswork. "Wait a week." "Give them two weeks." "Follow up after the deadline."
Careery analyzed response-time data from 1,000+ job seekers to find out exactly how long it takes to hear back—and when following up actually makes sense.
Careery is an AI-driven career acceleration service that helps professionals land high-paying jobs and get promoted faster through job search automation, personal branding, and real-world hiring psychology.
Learn how Careery can help you- How Long to Hear Back from Job Application — realistic timelines
- Ghosted After Interview? What to Do — post-interview silence
What the data says: response-time benchmarks
Based on Careery's Job Application Response Time Benchmarks, here's what the data shows:
- Median response time: 6-7 days — Half of applicants hear back faster, half slower
- 25th percentile: 4-5 days — The fastest 25% of responders
- 75th percentile: 8 days — 75% of all responses arrive by this point
Days to hear back after applying
Response time distribution based on 1,000+ applications. Shows 25th percentile (fast), median (typical), and 75th percentile (slower) response times.
If you haven't heard back within 8 days, you're past the 75th percentile—this is when a follow-up makes sense.
The optimal follow-up window: Day 8-10
Based on the data, the ideal time to follow up is 8-10 days after applying.
Why this window works
The follow-up timeline
Day 1-7: Wait patiently
Most responses arrive during this window. Use this time productively—continue applying to other roles.
Day 8-10: Send your first follow-up
If no response, send a polite follow-up. Reference the specific role and reiterate your interest.
Day 15-17: Consider a second follow-up
If still no response, one more brief check-in is acceptable. Keep it short—1-2 sentences max.
Day 45+: Move on
After 45 days with no response, it's almost certainly a silent rejection. Stop following up and focus on other opportunities.
If Day 8-10 falls over a weekend or holiday period, wait until the next business day. Sending emails on Friday evenings or Monday mornings during holidays reduces visibility.
Who to contact: recruiter, hiring manager, or HR
The most effective follow-up goes to the right person.
If you applied through a job board with no direct contact, follow up via LinkedIn or the company's careers email. Avoid generic "jobs@company.com" addresses when possible.
Finding the recruiter or hiring manager
- Check the job posting — Some list the recruiter's name or email
- Search LinkedIn — Look for "[Company name] recruiter" or the hiring manager's title
- Check your email — Did you receive an auto-confirmation with a name?
- Company website — Team pages sometimes list department leads
Follow-up email templates
Template 1: First follow-up (Day 8-10)
Subject: Following up on [Job Title] application Hi [Name], I submitted my application for the [Job Title] role on [Date] and wanted to follow up on its status. I'm very interested in this opportunity—[one sentence about why the role/company appeals to you]. I believe my experience in [relevant skill/experience] aligns well with what you're looking for. I'd welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Thank you for your time, [Your Name] [Phone] | [LinkedIn URL]
Template 2: Second follow-up (Day 15-17)
Subject: Re: Following up on [Job Title] application Hi [Name], I wanted to check in once more regarding my application for [Job Title]. I remain very interested in the role and would love to learn more about next steps. Please let me know if there's anything I can provide. Best, [Your Name]
Template 3: After an interview (no response)
Subject: Following up on [Job Title] interview Hi [Name], I enjoyed speaking with you on [Date] about the [Job Title] position. I wanted to follow up to see if there are any updates on the hiring process. I'm still very excited about the opportunity to join [Company] and contribute to [specific project or team mentioned in interview]. Please let me know if you need any additional information from my end. Thank you, [Your Name]
Template 4: Checking on a referral
Subject: Following up on [Job Title] – referred by [Referrer Name] Hi [Name], [Referrer Name] connected us regarding the [Job Title] role. I submitted my application on [Date] and wanted to follow up. I'm very interested in this opportunity and believe my background in [relevant experience] would be a strong fit. Please let me know if there's anything else I can provide. Thank you for your time, [Your Name]
Seasonal patterns: fastest and slowest months
Our research revealed significant seasonal variation in response times.
During November-December and late August, expect delays. Many hiring managers are on vacation, and processes slow down. Adjust your follow-up timing accordingly—waiting an extra few days is reasonable.
When to stop following up
- Silent Rejection
When an employer stops responding to an applicant without sending a formal rejection. Also called "ghosting." After 45 days, this is the most likely explanation for no response.
The 45-day rule
After 45 days without any response, it's almost certainly a silent rejection. At this point:
- Stop following up — Additional emails won't change the outcome
- Focus forward — Redirect energy to active opportunities
- Don't take it personally — Many companies don't send rejections for non-interviewed candidates
Signs they've moved on
- Job posting has been removed
- LinkedIn shows recent hires with that title
- No response after two follow-ups
- 45+ days have passed
- You received an auto-rejection email
Follow-Up Mistakes That Hurt Your Chances
- Following up too early (before Day 7)
- Sending more than 2-3 follow-ups
- Writing lengthy emails (keep it to 3-5 sentences)
- Sounding desperate or demanding
- Following up on weekends or holidays
- Using generic templates without personalization
Follow-Up Timing Summary
- 1Median response time is 6-7 days; 75% of responses arrive within 8 days
- 2The optimal follow-up window is Day 8-10 after applying
- 3Send no more than 2 follow-ups total
- 4May-June have the fastest response times; October is slowest
- 5After 45 days with no response, move on—it's likely a silent rejection
- 6Keep follow-up emails brief (3-5 sentences) and professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I follow up by email or phone?
Email is preferred. It's less intrusive and gives the recipient time to respond. Phone calls can feel aggressive and are often screened. Use phone only if you have an existing relationship with the contact.
What if the job posting says 'No follow-ups'?
Respect their request. Some companies explicitly state not to follow up. In these cases, wait for them to contact you. Following up anyway can disqualify you.
Can following up hurt my chances?
One or two polite follow-ups won't hurt. Excessive follow-ups (3+), aggressive tone, or following up too early can create a negative impression. Keep it professional.
What if I already sent a follow-up and still haven't heard back?
Wait another week, then send one final brief check-in. If still no response after that, assume they've moved on. Two follow-ups is the reasonable maximum.
Should I follow up through LinkedIn?
LinkedIn can work if you can't find an email, but email is generally better. LinkedIn messages can feel more personal/forward. If you use LinkedIn, keep the message professional and brief.
How do I follow up if I applied through a job board?
Try to find the company's direct recruiter or HR email. If you can't, some job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn) offer in-platform messaging. As a last resort, use the company's general careers email.
Researching Job Market & Building AI Tools for careerists since December 2020
Sources & References
- Job Application Response Time Benchmarks (2025 Dataset) — Careery Research (2025)
- How Long to Hear Back from a Job Application — Careery (2026)