Sending a follow up message on LinkedIn after applying for a job is a great way to show your continued interest in the role and stand out from other applicants. However, it’s important to craft your message carefully to make a good impression on the hiring manager or recruiter. Here are some tips on how to write an effective LinkedIn follow up after submitting a job application:
Wait at least one week before following up
Don’t follow up immediately after applying or even a couple days later. Give the company about 1 week to review applications before reaching out. Following up too soon can come across as pushy or impatient.
Keep it short and positive
Your follow up message should be brief – no more than 2-3 paragraphs. Get right to the point of your message while maintaining a positive, gracious tone. Don’t demand an update or express frustration at not hearing back yet.
Mention the job title and where you applied
Briefly mention the specific job title and where you applied, so the hiring manager knows what position you’re following up about. For example: “I recently applied for the Marketing Manager role at XYZ Company and wanted to follow up on my application.”
Reiterate your interest and qualifications
Express your continued strong interest in the opportunity and highlight 1-2 of your top qualifications or achievements that make you an excellent fit for the role. This shows the hiring manager you have the skills and motivation for the job.
Offer to provide more information
Let the hiring manager know that you would be happy to provide any additional information needed about your background and qualifications. Offer to schedule a phone call or in-person meeting if desired.
Thank the hiring manager
End your message by thanking the hiring manager or recruiter for their time and consideration. Express that you look forward to hearing back regarding the status of your application.
Proofread carefully
Be sure to thoroughly proofread your follow up message before sending to fix any typos or grammatical errors. Sloppy mistakes can ruin the professional image you want to portray.
Customize each message for the company
If following up with multiple companies, customize each message to mention something specific you admire or ask a unique question about that employer. Generic messages are less likely to get a response.
Follow up by other methods if needed
If you still don’t hear back after your LinkedIn follow up, don’t hesitate to also follow up by email or phone 1-2 weeks later. Varying your contact methods can help get the hiring manager’s attention.
When to send the follow up message
The ideal time to send your LinkedIn follow up is mid-morning or early afternoon during the workweek. Avoid first thing in the morning or late in the day when people are more likely to be rushed.
Connect with the hiring manager first
If you aren’t already connected to the hiring manager on LinkedIn, try sending a connection request with a personalized note first. Then follow up after they accept your request.
Use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature
Display the “Open to Work” banner on your LinkedIn profile to quietly signal to connections that you’re job searching. Hiring managers may notice this and reach out to you first.
Follow up with the right person
Make sure you direct your follow up to the correct person – either the hiring manager for that role or recruiter. Get the right contact info before following up.
Change your message if the role is filled
If the hiring manager lets you know the position has been filled, pivot your message to politely ask to be considered for future openings or join their industry network on LinkedIn.
Don’t overdo the follow up messages
Only send one follow up message per job application. Sending multiple, repetitive messages comes across as aggressive and diminishes your professional brand.
Sample LinkedIn follow up message
Here is an example of an effective follow up message to send after applying on LinkedIn:
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well! I applied last week for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name] and wanted to follow up on the status of my application.
I’m very excited about the opportunity to join [Company Name] and believe my skills and experience in [relevant qualifications] make me an excellent fit for this position. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me regarding my background or qualifications.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
[Your Name]
Following up by phone
In some cases, following up by phone instead of LinkedIn or email can help create a more personal connection with the hiring manager. Here are some tips for following up by phone:
- Keep it brief – aim for a 2-3 minute call.
- Time it right – mid-morning or early afternoon on a Tuesday-Thursday.
- Request the hiring manager by name.
- Reintroduce yourself and remind them of the position.
- Mention your interest and qualifications again.
- Offer to answer any questions.
- Thank them for their time.
Following up in person
Following up in person after applying can also help make a strong impression, especially for roles where in-person interaction is valued. Tips for following up in person include:
- Dress professionally as if coming for a job interview.
- Bring copies of your resume.
- Be prepared to briefly discuss your qualifications.
- Schedule a short 5-10 minute meeting if possible.
- Get contact info for following up after the meeting.
- Send a thank you note afterward.
What to do if you still don’t hear back
If you follow up by LinkedIn, email and phone but still get no response from the hiring manager, here are a few last things you can try:
- Connect with other employees at the company on LinkedIn asking for updates.
- Check if the job posting was removed to see if the role was filled.
- Consider reapplying in the future when new positions open up.
- Focus your search on other job opportunities in the meantime.
The lack of response likely indicates the employer isn’t interested at this time. But persistently following up multiple times usually won’t help – it’s better to move on and continue your search elsewhere.
Key takeaways
Following up after submitting a job application is an important part of your search process. To write an effective LinkedIn follow up message:
- Wait about 1 week before reaching out
- Keep the message brief but personalized
- Reiterate your interest and qualifications
- Thank the hiring manager for their consideration
- Follow up by phone or in-person if needed
With a thoughtful, professional follow up, you can stand out from the applicant crowd and increase your chances of landing the job!