How to Follow Up After Submitting Your Resume: Maximizing Your Chances

You’ve spent hours perfecting your resume and cover letter, and finally, you’ve hit "submit." Now what? The waiting game can be agonizing, but your job isn’t over. A strategic follow-up can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed, demonstrating your enthusiasm, professionalism, and persistence. While many job seekers hesitate to follow up, a well-timed and well-crafted message can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through the best practices for following up after submitting your resume, ensuring you maximize your chances of landing an interview.

Why Traditional Resume Methods Fall Short for Follow-Up

Many job seekers believe that once they’ve submitted their application, the ball is entirely in the employer’s court. This passive approach can lead to missed opportunities. In today’s competitive job market, recruiters often receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications for a single role. A generic application can easily get lost in the shuffle. Without a strategic follow-up, your application might never receive the attention it deserves. Traditional resume advice often focuses solely on the initial application, overlooking the critical importance of proactive communication. To truly stand out, your follow-up needs to be as thoughtful and tailored as your initial application.

Step-by-Step Solution: Strategic Follow-Up After Resume Submission

1. Understand the Company’s Application Process

Before you follow up, review the job posting or company’s career page for any specific instructions regarding follow-up. Some companies explicitly state "no phone calls" or "no follow-up emails." Always respect these instructions. If no instructions are given, a polite follow-up is generally acceptable.

2. Wait an Appropriate Amount of Time

Patience is key. Following up too soon can make you appear impatient or desperate. A general guideline is to wait 1-2 weeks after submitting your resume before sending your first follow-up email. If the job posting provided a timeline for responses, wait until that period has passed.

3. Choose the Right Method of Follow-Up

• Email (Most Common): This is usually the preferred method. Send a concise, professional email to the hiring manager or recruiter.
• LinkedIn Message: If you have a direct connection with the hiring manager or recruiter on LinkedIn, a polite message can be effective.
• Phone Call (Use with Caution): Only use this if explicitly encouraged or if you have a strong existing relationship with the recruiter. Avoid cold calls.

4. Craft a Concise and Professional Follow-Up Email

Your follow-up email should be brief, polite, and reiterate your interest. Include:

• Clear Subject Line: "Following Up – [Your Name] – [Job Title] Application" or "Inquiry Regarding [Job Title] Application – [Your Name]"
• Polite Opening: "Dear [Hiring Manager Name or Hiring Team],"
• Reference Your Application: Briefly state when and for what position you applied.
• Reiterate Your Interest: Express your continued enthusiasm for the role and the company.
• Highlight Key Qualifications: Briefly mention one or two of your most relevant skills or achievements that align with the job requirements.
• Call to Action: Politely ask about the status of your application or if there’s any additional information you can provide.
• Professional Closing: "Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your name and contact information.

Example:

Subject: Following Up – [Your Name] – [Job Title] Application

Dear [Hiring Manager Name or Hiring Team],

I am writing to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] position, which I submitted on [Date]. I remain very interested in this opportunity and believe my experience in [Key Skill 1] and [Key Skill 2] aligns well with your team’s needs.

My background in [briefly mention a relevant achievement or experience] has prepared me to contribute effectively to [Company Name].

Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide to assist with your review process. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

5. Consider a Second Follow-Up (If No Response)

If you don’t hear back after your first follow-up (after another 1-2 weeks), you can send a second, slightly different email. This time, you might share a relevant article, a new project you’ve completed, or a brief thought on an industry trend, subtly reminding them of your expertise. This shows persistence and continued engagement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Following Up Too Soon

Patience is a virtue. Give recruiters time to process applications.

2. Being Demanding or Impatient

Your tone should always be polite and professional, never pushy.

3. Sending Generic Follow-Ups

A copy-pasted email is easily dismissed. Personalize your message.

4. Typos and Grammatical Errors

Proofread your follow-up email meticulously. Errors undermine your professionalism.

5. Ignoring "No Follow-Up" Instructions

Always respect the company’s stated application process.

Pro Tips for Follow-Up Success

• Track Your Applications: Keep a spreadsheet or use a job search tracker to record when you applied, when you followed up, and who you contacted.
• Add Value: If you can, add a small piece of value in your follow-up (e.g., a relevant article, a new insight).
• Be Prepared for a Response: Your follow-up might prompt a call or email. Be ready to respond promptly.
• Utilize Espresso Resume: While Espresso Resume focuses on resume optimization, the principles of clear, concise, and impactful communication apply to all aspects of your job search, including your follow-up emails.

Conclusion

A strategic follow-up is a powerful, yet often underutilized, tool in your job search arsenal. By demonstrating your enthusiasm, professionalism, and persistence through well-timed and well-crafted messages, you can significantly increase your visibility and chances of securing an interview. Don’t just submit and wait; follow up and stand out.

Ready to master every step of your job search? Espresso Resume helps you create ATS-friendly, impactful resumes in minutes, so you can focus on what matters most: landing your dream job.