Stop guessing when to follow up on job applications

Add your applications, pick a follow-up style, and get a complete schedule with email drafts. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing gets sent to a server.

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Your Follow-Up Plan

Add each job you've applied to below. The planner builds a timeline showing when to follow up and gives you email drafts ready to copy.

Quick start:

No applications added yet. Use the form above to add your first one.

Example Follow-Up Plans

Here are three sample plans showing how different approaches look. Use these as a starting point for your own search.

Standard

Marketing Manager at a mid-size company

Applied
June 3 via company website
First follow-up
June 10 (7 days later). Brief email checking on timeline.
Second follow-up
June 17 (14 days later). Share a relevant portfolio piece.
First follow-up draft:

"Hi Jane, I wanted to follow up on my application for the Marketing Manager role submitted on June 3. I'm very interested in the position and would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with campaign strategy could help your team. Please let me know if you need any additional information."

Gentle

Software Engineer at a large corporation

Applied
June 1 via LinkedIn Easy Apply
First follow-up
June 11 (10 days later). Short note to the recruiter.
Second follow-up
June 22 (21 days later). Polite check-in with updated resume.
First follow-up draft:

"Hello, I applied for the Software Engineer position on June 1 and wanted to express my continued interest. I understand these processes take time. If there's anything else I can provide, I'm happy to help. Thank you for considering my application."

Active

Project Coordinator at a startup

Applied
June 5 via referral from a friend
First follow-up
June 9 (4 days later). Thank the referrer and check status.
Second follow-up
June 15 (10 days later). Direct email to hiring manager.
Third follow-up
June 22 (17 days later). Final note with a relevant case study.
First follow-up draft:

"Hi Sarah, I hope you're doing well. I applied for the Project Coordinator role on June 5 and wanted to thank you again for the referral. I'm excited about the opportunity and would love to know if there's anything else I can share. Looking forward to hearing from you."

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Following up too soon

Many people send a follow-up the next day. This can feel pushy. Hiring teams need time to review applications. Unless you have a personal connection, give it at least 3-4 business days. For large companies, a full week is better.

Writing long emails

Your follow-up should be scannable in under 30 seconds. Hiring managers are busy. Get to the point: who you are, what you applied for, and what you want (an update or a conversation). Leave the details for your resume.

Using the same template for every company

Generic follow-ups get ignored. Mention something specific about the company or role. Reference a recent news item, a project they shipped, or a conversation you had. This shows genuine interest.

Not tracking your applications

When you're applying to many roles, it's easy to lose track. Write down where you applied, when, and what the next step is. This planner does that for you. You can also use a simple spreadsheet if you prefer.

Ignoring a "no contact" note

Some job postings say "please don't call" or "only selected candidates will be contacted." Respect that. Following up anyway can hurt your chances. Focus your energy on applications where contact is welcome.

Giving up after one try

One follow-up often gets lost in a busy inbox. A second follow-up, sent a week or two later, shows persistence without being annoying. If there's still no response after two attempts, it's okay to move on.

What this planner assumes

  • Most hiring processes take 1-3 weeks for an initial response.
  • Business days are Monday through Friday. Weekends are not counted.
  • The email templates are starting points. You should adjust the tone to match your style.
  • Some companies use automated systems that won't respond to individual emails.
  • Your data is stored in your browser's local storage. Clearing browser data will remove your saved applications.