How to Follow Up on a Job or Internship Application

You submitted your application, and then comes the waiting. Days pass, then weeks. Did they receive it? Are they still reviewing? Should you write? Many students worry that following up will seem pushy, while others do not follow up and wonder whether a short note could have made a difference.

A polite, well-timed follow-up can help, mostly by showing you are interested and organized. This guide explains when and how to do it, with examples. Employers vary, so adapt to the culture of the company and any instructions in the posting.

Why follow up

• It confirms your application arrived.
• It signals interest in the role.
• It can bring your name back to the top of a busy recruiter's inbox.
• It lets you add a relevant update, such as a new project or a referral.
• It shows professionalism when done well.

It will not rescue a weak application, and it will not work if it is rude or too frequent. Think of it as a small supporting step.

Before you follow up

Check these things first:

• Did you get a confirmation? If not, check your spam folder and the application portal.
• What does the posting say? Some say "do not contact us" or give a decision date.
• Has enough time passed? Employers often take weeks, and some wait until the application deadline passes before reviewing.
• Do you have a name? A named recruiter or hiring manager is better than a generic address.

If the posting says not to contact the employer, respect that. If it states a timeline, wait until it has passed.

Timing

General guidance:

• After applying with no timeline: wait about one to two weeks.
• After a stated timeline passes: follow up a few days later.
• After an interview: send a thank-you email within 24 hours, then follow up after the date they gave, or after about a week if no date was given.
• For internships with fixed cycles: employers may review after the deadline closes, so check the dates.

Large employers with automated systems may not respond to individual messages. Smaller organizations may be more responsive.

Who to contact

Options, in order of preference:

1. The recruiter or hiring manager named in the posting.
2. A recruiter you met at a career fair or event.
3. A contact in the company with whom you have a genuine connection, such as an alumnus who offered to help. Our guide to informational interviews explains how to build such contacts.
4. A general HR or careers email address.

Do not message many people at the same company about the same application. Pick one primary contact.

What to write

A good follow-up is short, polite and specific. Include:

• A clear subject line.
• A greeting using the person's name.
• The role you applied for and the date.
• A line expressing continued interest.
• One relevant detail that adds value.
• A question about the timeline or next steps.
• A thank-you.

Subject line examples:

• "Following up: Marketing Intern application"
• "Application for Data Analyst, submitted Oct 12"

Example email after applying:

"Dear Ms. Lopez,

I applied for the Marketing Intern position on October 12 and wanted to confirm that my application was received. I remain very interested in the role, especially the chance to work on your campus ambassador program, which I admired after seeing it at the career fair.

Since applying, I completed a social media analytics project for my course, and I would be glad to share it if helpful. Could you let me know the expected timeline for next steps?

Thank you for your time.

Best regards, Jordan Kim [Phone] | [LinkedIn]"

Example after an interview:

"Dear Mr. Chen,

Thank you again for speaking with me on Tuesday about the Research Assistant role. I enjoyed learning about the lab's current projects. I wanted to follow up to restate my interest and see whether there is any additional information I can provide. Please let me know if you have an update on the timeline.

Best regards, Sam Rivera"

Our guide to internship application emails shows how to write the first message in the process.

Phone calls and in-person visits

Calling or visiting can feel more direct but is riskier. Many employers prefer email. Only call if the posting invites it. Never show up uninvited to ask about an application, unless it is a small local business and the posting says to apply in person.

Social media

A LinkedIn connection request with a short note can be a gentle way to follow up, especially if you have a mutual contact. Do not send a long message in the first request. Avoid following up in ways that feel personal, such as private messages on personal accounts.

When you have a referral

If someone referred you, tell them you applied so they can mention you internally. Ask how they suggest following up. A referral can move your application along, but do not expect it to guarantee an interview.

Handling silence

Most applicants never hear back. This is frustrating, but it rarely means anything about you. Hiring processes are slow, roles are put on hold and applications are filtered by software. Keep applying, and aim for a steady number each week.

After two follow-ups with no reply, move on. You can leave the door open: "If a position opens in the future, I would welcome the chance to be considered."

Handling rejection

If you get a rejection:

• Thank them for letting you know.
• Ask for brief feedback only if it seems welcome. Many employers will not provide it.
• Stay connected if you had a good relationship.
• Learn from it, refine your materials and continue.

Our guide to handling rejection after an interview offers more advice.

Keep records

Track each application in a spreadsheet:

• Employer, role and link.
• Date applied.
• Contact names.
• Follow-up dates.
• Status.
• Notes.

This helps you follow up on time and prepare for interviews.

Mistakes to avoid

• Following up too soon or too often.
• Writing a long email.
• Sounding entitled or demanding.
• Complaining about the process.
• Sending the same message to many people.
• Ignoring instructions.
• Forgetting to proofread.
• Waiting passively and not applying elsewhere.

A follow-up calendar

Plan follow-ups the same way you plan applications. When you apply, record the date and the posted timeline in your tracker. Add a reminder for the day after the timeline ends. If no timeline was given, set a reminder for ten days later.

On the reminder day, send one short message. Add a second reminder for two weeks later. If you still hear nothing, mark the application as closed in your tracker and spend your time on new ones.

This system prevents two common problems: forgetting to follow up at all and sending nervous messages every other day. It also gives you a record to refer to if the employer contacts you months later.

Following up through a referral

If a friend, professor or alumnus referred you, ask them before writing. A quick note from them to the recruiter often does more than another message from you. Then write once, mention the referrer's name if they agree and thank them afterward.

Final thoughts

A thoughtful follow-up is a small but professional step. Wait an appropriate time, write a brief message to the right person, add something useful and ask about next steps. Then get on with your search. Whether or not you hear back, you will have shown the care that employers look for.