How can you follow up without being pushy?

1 Choose the right channel

Depending on how you applied for the job and how you communicated with the employer, you may have different options to follow up. For example, you can use email, phone, LinkedIn, or a personal referral. The best channel to use depends on the situation, but generally, email is the most common and preferred way to follow up. It's less intrusive than a phone call and more formal than a social media message. However, if you have a strong connection with someone in the company or you were explicitly told to call, you may use a different channel.

2 Time it right

Timing is crucial when you follow up. You don't want to follow up too soon or too late. Too soon, and you may seem impatient or desperate. Too late, and you may miss the opportunity or lose the employer's interest. A good rule of thumb is to follow up within a week after applying or interviewing, unless you were given a specific timeline. If you were told to expect a response within a certain period, wait until that period is over before following up. If you don't hear anything after two weeks, you can follow up again, but don't do it more than once or twice.

3 Be polite and concise

When you follow up, be polite and respectful. Don't demand an answer or complain about the delay. Instead, express your continued interest in the job and restate your value proposition. Remind the employer of your qualifications and achievements, and mention any relevant updates or news that may enhance your candidacy. Keep your message short and to the point. Don't repeat everything you said in your application or thank-you note. Just focus on the main reason for your follow-up and ask for an update on the status of your application.

4 Provide a call to action

At the end of your follow-up message, provide a clear and specific call to action. This means asking the employer to do something, such as confirming your receipt of the message, giving you an estimated timeline, scheduling a meeting, or answering a question. A call to action helps you get a response and move the process forward. It also shows that you are proactive and confident. However, avoid being pushy or presumptuous. Don't assume that you will get the job or that the employer owes you anything. Just politely request a reply and thank them for their time and consideration.

5 Follow up once more if necessary

If you still don't hear anything after your first follow-up, you may consider following up once more, but only if you have a good reason to do so. For example, you may have received another offer, updated your portfolio, or learned something new that relates to the job. In that case, you can follow up again and share your update with the employer. However, don't follow up more than twice, unless you have a very strong connection or a referral. Otherwise, you may risk annoying the employer or appearing desperate. If you don't get a response after your second follow-up, it may be time to move on and focus on other opportunities.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?