How to Follow Up After Sending Your CV (With Email Templates)

The Silence After Submitting Your CV

You spent hours perfecting your CV, tailoring it to the job description, and writing a thoughtful cover letter. You pressed send. And then... nothing. Days pass. A week goes by. Your inbox stays empty.

This is one of the most demoralising parts of job searching, and it happens to almost everyone. Studies consistently show that the majority of job applications never receive a response. Companies are overwhelmed with applicants, recruiters are stretched thin, and automated systems filter out candidates before a human ever reads their CV.

But here is what most candidates do not realise: following up after sending your CV is not just acceptable — it is expected by many hiring managers. A well-timed, professionally written follow-up can move your application from the bottom of the pile to the top. And yet, the vast majority of candidates never do it.

Why Most Candidates Never Follow Up

There are three common reasons people avoid following up after submitting a job application, and all three are based on misconceptions.

"I don't want to seem desperate." This is the most frequent concern. But there is a significant difference between a single, polished follow-up email and sending five messages in three days. One follow-up signals genuine interest and professionalism. It tells the recruiter that you are serious about the role, not just mass-applying to everything you see.

"If they wanted me, they would have contacted me." This assumes that every application receives careful individual review. In reality, recruiters at large companies may receive hundreds of applications for a single role. Your CV might have been screened out by an ATS, buried under newer submissions, or simply overlooked during a busy week. A follow-up brings your name back to the surface.

"I don't know what to say." This is the most practical barrier, and it is the easiest to solve. The templates later in this article will give you exactly what you need.

The Right Timeline: When to Follow Up

Timing is everything. Follow up too early and you seem impatient. Wait too long and the position may already be filled. Here is a clear timeline for different scenarios.

After Submitting an Online Application

Wait five to seven business days before sending your first follow-up. This gives the hiring team enough time to begin reviewing applications without feeling rushed by your message.

If the job listing mentions a specific closing date, wait until two to three business days after that date. The team will not begin reviewing applications until the listing closes.

After Sending Your CV to a Specific Person

If you emailed your CV directly to a hiring manager or recruiter — rather than submitting through an online portal — wait three to five business days. Direct submissions are more personal, so the expected response time is shorter.

After an Interview

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. This is not technically a follow-up; it is standard professional courtesy. If you do not hear back after the timeframe they gave you (for example, "We'll be in touch within two weeks"), wait one to two business days past that deadline before following up.

The Second Follow-Up

If your first follow-up receives no response, you may send one more follow-up seven to ten business days later. After two unanswered follow-ups, it is time to move on. Three or more follow-ups crosses the line from persistent to pushy.

Where to Follow Up: Choosing the Right Channel

Not all follow-up channels are equal. Here is how they rank, from most to least effective.

Email is the gold standard. It is professional, non-intrusive, and gives the recipient time to respond at their convenience. It also creates a written record. If you applied through an online system and have a contact email for the recruiter or hiring manager, email is your first choice.

LinkedIn is an excellent secondary channel, particularly if you cannot find a direct email address. A short, professional message to the recruiter or hiring manager on LinkedIn can be very effective — especially if you have already engaged with their content or have mutual connections.

Phone should be a last resort. Cold-calling a recruiter can feel invasive, and many hiring managers actively dislike receiving unsolicited calls about applications. The exception is if the job listing explicitly includes a phone number and invites enquiries.

Follow-Up Email Template 1: After an Online Application (No Contact Name)

This template works when you submitted your CV through an online portal and do not have a specific person's name. Your goal is to confirm receipt and express continued interest.

Subject line: Following Up on My Application for [Job Title] - [Your Name]

Dear Hiring Team,

I recently submitted my application for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [date]. I am writing to confirm that my application was received and to reiterate my strong interest in the role.

With my background in [brief relevant experience — e.g., "five years of project management in financial services"], I am confident I could contribute meaningfully to your team, particularly in [specific area mentioned in the job description].

I understand you are likely reviewing a high volume of applications, and I appreciate the time involved. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with your needs.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Phone number] [LinkedIn profile URL]

Why this works: It is concise, respectful of their time, and adds a brief reminder of your relevant experience. It does not demand a response — it invites one.

Follow-Up Email Template 2: After Submitting to a Specific Person

When you have the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, you can personalise more directly. This template is warmer and more conversational.

Subject line: Following Up: [Job Title] Application

Dear [Mr/Ms Surname],

I hope this message finds you well. I submitted my CV for the [Job Title] position on [date] and wanted to follow up to express my continued enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Since applying, I have [mention something relevant — e.g., "completed a certification in data analytics" or "read about your team's recent product launch and was impressed by the approach"]. This has only reinforced my interest in contributing to [Company Name].

I have attached my CV again for your convenience. I would be happy to provide any additional information or to arrange a call at a time that suits you.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards, [Your Name] [Phone number] [LinkedIn profile URL]

Why this works: Mentioning something you have done or learned since applying shows initiative and genuine engagement. Re-attaching your CV is practical — it saves the recipient from searching their inbox.

Follow-Up Email Template 3: After an Interview

Post-interview follow-ups serve a dual purpose: they express gratitude and they keep you top of mind during the decision-making process.

Subject line: Thank You - [Job Title] Interview

Dear [Interviewer's Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me [today/yesterday] to discuss the [Job Title] role. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, particularly the discussion about [specific topic from the interview — e.g., "the team's approach to cross-functional collaboration"].

Our conversation confirmed my enthusiasm for the position. I was especially drawn to [specific aspect of the role or company culture that came up during the interview], and I am confident that my experience in [relevant skill or achievement] would allow me to make a strong contribution from day one.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information from me. I look forward to hearing about the next steps.

Warm regards, [Your Name]

Why this works: It references specific details from the interview, which shows you were actively listening. It reinforces your fit for the role without repeating your entire CV. And it closes with a clear but gentle prompt for next steps.

What NOT to Do When Following Up

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to say. Here are the most common follow-up mistakes that damage your candidacy.

• Do not follow up daily or multiple times a week. One follow-up after five to seven business days, and a second one seven to ten days after that. That is the maximum. Anything more marks you as someone who does not respect boundaries.
• Do not call the HR department repeatedly. If your first call goes to voicemail, leave a message and wait. Do not call back the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that. Recruiters talk to each other, and "the applicant who keeps ringing" is never a positive label.
• Do not use a passive-aggressive tone. Phrases like "I'm surprised I haven't heard back" or "I assume my application has been lost" create immediate hostility. Even if you are frustrated, your follow-up must be warm and professional.
• Do not send a carbon copy of your original application. Your follow-up should add something — a brief restatement of interest, a new development, a specific question. Simply forwarding your original email with "Just following up!" adds nothing and wastes the recruiter's time.
• Do not follow up on weekends or late at night. Schedule your emails to arrive during standard business hours. A follow-up sent at 11:47 PM on a Saturday sends unintended signals about your work-life balance.
• Do not apologise for following up. Phrases like "Sorry to bother you" or "I know you're busy" undermine your message. You have every right to enquire about your application. Be polite, but do not be apologetic.

LinkedIn Follow-Up Strategy

LinkedIn has become an increasingly powerful tool for job application follow-ups. Used correctly, it can complement your email follow-up and significantly increase your visibility.

Connect With the Recruiter or Hiring Manager

Before or shortly after applying, send a connection request to the recruiter or hiring manager listed on the job posting. Include a brief personalised note with your request:

"Hi [Name], I recently applied for the [Job Title] role at [Company] and would love to connect. I've been following your team's work on [specific project or initiative] and am very interested in contributing."

Keep it under 300 characters — that is LinkedIn's limit for connection request notes. Do not paste your entire CV summary into the note.

Engage With Company Content

In the days after applying, like, comment on, and share posts from the company and the hiring manager. This is not about being sycophantic — it is about demonstrating genuine interest. A thoughtful comment on a company blog post or product announcement shows that you are paying attention to what the organisation does, not just what it pays.

Use LinkedIn Messaging as a Follow-Up Channel

If your email follow-up goes unanswered after seven to ten days, a brief LinkedIn message can serve as a gentle second touchpoint. Keep it shorter than your email — two to three sentences maximum.

"Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] role. I'm very enthusiastic about the opportunity and would welcome the chance to discuss my fit. Thank you for your time."

Do not send both the email and the LinkedIn message on the same day. Stagger them by at least two to three days.

When to Stop Following Up and Move On

This is the hardest part for most job seekers, but it is critical: knowing when silence is your answer.

After two follow-ups with no response — one email and one LinkedIn message, or two emails spaced seven to ten days apart — stop. Continuing to follow up past this point does not demonstrate persistence. It demonstrates poor judgement.

Here is a practical framework for moving on:

• Accept that not every application will get a response. Large companies receive thousands of applications. Even with the best intentions, many go unanswered. This is not a reflection of your worth.
• Do not take it personally. The silence is almost never about you. It is about volume, process, and timing. The hiring manager may have filled the role internally, put the position on hold, or simply been overwhelmed.
• Keep applying elsewhere. The most effective job seekers treat applications like a pipeline. You should always have multiple applications in progress at different stages. If one goes silent, you have others moving forward.
• Leave the door open. Your final follow-up can include a line like: "I understand you may have moved forward with other candidates. Should a similar role open in the future, I would welcome the opportunity to be considered." This is gracious, professional, and keeps you in their memory.

How a Strong CV Reduces the Need for Follow-Ups

The best follow-up strategy is needing fewer follow-ups in the first place. And the single most effective way to achieve that is to submit a CV that demands attention on the first read.

A CV that is optimised for ATS systems actually reaches the recruiter instead of being filtered out. A CV that is tailored to the specific job description immediately signals relevance. A CV with quantified achievements gives the recruiter concrete reasons to move you forward.

When your CV does its job properly — passing the ATS, catching the recruiter's eye within six seconds, and clearly demonstrating your fit for the role — you hear back faster and more often. The follow-up becomes a reinforcement of an already strong impression, rather than a desperate attempt to be noticed.

Think of it this way: a follow-up email can get your CV looked at a second time. But if the CV itself is weak, that second look will not change the outcome. The CV is the foundation. The follow-up is the nudge.

If you are building your CV and want to make sure it works hard enough that follow-ups become a formality rather than a necessity, CV Pro Maker offers ATS-optimised templates designed to get past automated screening and impress human readers. Build your CV for free, refine it until it is right, and only pay when you are ready to download.

The strongest position to follow up from is one where your CV has already made the case for you. Everything else is just a reminder.