Following up after applying – Page 3

It can be, if you are brief and respectful, but be careful not to bypass a recruiter who is already handling your application. A single message to show interest is fine; repeated contact is not.

Good approach:

• Send one short, professional message on email or a professional networking site.
• Mention you have applied and why you are interested in their team.
• Do not ask them to check your status or influence the process.

Example: "I recently applied for the QA Engineer role in your team. I have followed your work on the payments app and would be excited to contribute to its testing automation."

If they do not reply, do not message again.

Send a thank-you within a day or two, mention one useful point from the conversation and confirm any agreed next step. Networking follow-ups build relationships that often lead to opportunities later.

Example:
"Dear Hiba,

Thank you for taking the time to talk about careers in hospital administration. Your advice about getting a healthcare quality certificate was very helpful, and I have started looking at courses. As you suggested, I will apply for the coordinator role when it opens next month.

Best regards,
Daniel Ochieng"

Later, update them on your progress, especially if you follow their advice. Do not ask them for a job directly unless they offered to help.

You do not need to mention every interview, but if you are likely to receive an offer soon, letting your preferred employer know politely can help them plan. Keep it factual and positive.

Example:
"I wanted to let you know that I am in final interviews with another company. Your Supply Planner role remains my strong preference, so I would be grateful for any update on your timeline."

Tips:

• Only mention it when it may genuinely affect timing.
• Do not use it as a bargaining tool before an offer exists.
• Do not name the other company unless asked.

Be honest throughout; anything you say about other offers may be discussed later, so only state what is true.

Usually not, unless you had already been interviewed or contacted by a person. "Closed" normally means the vacancy has stopped accepting applications or the process has ended.

What to do:

• If you were interviewed: a polite note asking about your status is fine.
• If you only applied online: accept it and look for similar roles at the company.
• Set up job alerts on the company's careers page for future openings.

Some systems close roles automatically after a set time, even if hiring continues offline, so if you have a recruiter's contact and were in a late stage, a brief check is reasonable.

Send your follow-up so it arrives during the employer's working day, and mention your time zone if you suggest a call. Small adjustments make it easier for them to respond.

Tips:

• Check the employer's local time and working days before sending.
• Use scheduled sending in your email app.
• When offering call times, give them in the employer's time zone: "I am available 9:00–12:00 Gulf Standard Time."
• Use video call tools the employer prefers, if mentioned.

Example: "I am based in Manila (GMT+8) and available for a call any weekday between 10:00 and 13:00 your time in Riyadh."

Ask the HR contact politely whether they need anything from you and when they expect to complete the checks. Background checks, document attestation and medicals can take time, especially for international hires.

Example:
"Dear Ms Nasser,

I completed the medical test on 5 November and submitted my documents for verification. Could you let me know if anything else is needed from me, and when I might expect a start date?

Kind regards,
Julius Okeke"

Keep copies of everything you submit. Do not resign from your current job until checks are complete and you have a confirmed start date in writing, unless you are comfortable with the risk.

Treat each application as one step in a process you control, focus on what you can improve, and keep a steady routine. Silence is common in job searching and rarely personal.

Practical habits:

• Set daily or weekly goals for applications and networking, not outcomes.
• Review your CV and cover letter every few weeks, and test changes on new applications.
• Ask a friend, mentor or careers adviser for feedback.
• Celebrate small wins: an interview invitation, a helpful conversation.

If the search affects your wellbeing, talk to someone you trust and take short breaks. A sustainable pace leads to better applications than a rushed one.

Rarely, if it is polite, well-timed and brief. Follow-ups hurt when they are too frequent, demanding, careless or sent against clear instructions.

Follow-ups that can backfire:

• Daily or every-other-day messages.
• Messages to many people at the company.
• Emotional or angry tone.
• Typos, wrong names or the wrong job title.
• Contact despite "no calls or emails please".

A single, thoughtful follow-up is a normal part of the process for most employers. If in doubt, follow the advert's instructions and keep it short.

Only if you see the role is still open, the company has a new related vacancy, or you have significant new information. Otherwise, it is usually better to apply fresh to current openings.

How to do it:

• Reference your earlier application briefly.
• Explain what has changed: new experience, new qualification, new location.
• Ask whether they would consider your updated application.

Example: "I applied for a Junior Developer role with you in June. Since then, I have completed a six-month contract building a booking system in React, and I noticed your new opening for a Frontend Developer."

Do not complain about the lack of reply to your first application.

Yes, promptly. If you change your phone number, email, location or start date while an application is active, tell the recruiter so they can still reach you and plan correctly.

Example:
"Dear Mr Farouk,

I wanted to let you know that my notice period has been shortened, and I can now start from 1 December. My contact details remain the same.

Kind regards,
Anjali Rao"

Also update your details in any application portals or agency profiles. A change in availability can sometimes help your application, especially for urgent roles.