Why You Should Always Follow Up With Your Recruiter

Job Search

By
Jerry Lee

When you’re waiting for a recruiter to get back to you, it’s easy to second-guess yourself:

 “Am I being pushy?”

 “Will they think I’m desperate?”

‍

The truth? You should always follow up.

Recruiters Are Managing More Than You Think

‍

My girlfriend is a recruiter, and here’s her reality:

She has 5–10 open roles at any given time

For each role, she’s talking to 5–10 candidates

She’s coordinating with 5+ cross-functional stakeholders like hiring managers, HR, and department heads

That’s 50–100 active conversations plus all the internal coordination. No matter how organized they are, things slip through the cracks.

‍

Why Following Up Helps You

Following up isn’t just about getting a status update, it’s a way to demonstrate:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Professionalism
  • Proactive behavior recruiters and hiring managers value

‍

You’re not being a nuisance. You’re making their job easier by keeping your application top of mind.

‍

The Right Way to Follow Up

Timing matters. Here’s a simple follow-up rule to use:

If a recruiter says they won’t have an answer this week, don’t follow up that week

If you haven’t heard back the following week, send a follow-up

You can follow up up to 3 times, spacing each attempt 2–3 business days apart

If you still don’t get a response, move on — it’s no longer in your control

‍

What to Say in Your Follow-Up Email

‍

Subject: Following Up on [Role Title] Application  

‍

Hi [Name],  
I wanted to check in on the [Role Title] position we discussed. 
I'm still very interested and would love to know if there are any updates or next steps.  
Thanks so much for your time,  
[Your Name]  

‍

Bottom Line

Following up is part of a successful job search strategy. It’s how you stay visible in a crowded field of candidates. And in many cases, it’s the difference between moving forward in the process and being forgotten.

‍

–

Need more help? Our 1:1 services could be a good fit for you! With 90% of our clients land interviews within 3 months and 70% land offers in 6 months, it’s only a matter of time until you land that job you’ve always dreamed of.

‍

If you need help in making that decision, sign-up to speak to our team. We’ll help you turn from an underdog into a winner.

‍

Want a free resume guide & examples in under 30 seconds?

Jerry Lee
COO

Ready to make your dream job a reality?

Get personal attention with each of our services, or join a community of learners in our online courses.

Questions about our services? Check out our FAQs page or contact our team here.