Recruiting Follow-Up Emails: How to Stay on a Recruiter’s Mind Without Being Pushy

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

You’ve applied for a job, spoken to a recruiter, maybe even had a promising interview, now what? The ball’s in your court to follow up. But writing the perfect follow-up email to a recruiter is a balancing act: you want to stay top of mind without coming across as impatient.

Let’s break down how to craft a professional, natural follow-up message to a recruiter, and why it matters more than most job seekers think.

Why You Should Always Send a Follow-Up Email to a Recruiter

Recruiters receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of candidates at once. If you’re waiting to hear back, you’re not being annoying by following up. In fact, it can show initiative, professionalism, and genuine interest.

Sending a recruiting follow-up email can:

• Keep your application from falling through the cracks
• Reaffirm your interest in the role
• Build rapport with the recruiter
• Open the door to feedback

In short, the right follow-up email with a recruiter can nudge your application forward or at least give you some clarity.

When to Send a Follow-Up Email to a Recruiter

Timing matters. If you just had an interview, send a quick thank-you email within 24 hours. If you’re following up on an application or checking in after silence, wait around 5–7 business days before reaching out.

Don’t be tempted to send a message every couple of days. Recruiters are busy, and too much follow-up becomes noise, not value.

How to Write a Follow-Up Email to a Recruiter

Wondering how to write a follow-up email to a recruiter without sounding robotic or desperate? Start by being clear, polite, and concise. Here’s what you should include:

1. A polite greeting – Use their name if possible.
2. Context – Briefly remind them who you are and what role you’re following up on.
3. A clear ask – Do you want an update? Feedback? Or just to stay on their radar?
4. Gratitude – Thank them for their time or consideration.
5. Professional sign-off – Think “Best regards” or “Sincerely,” followed by your name.

Sample Follow-Up Email to a Recruiter

Here’s a follow-up with a recruiter sample that hits all the right notes:

Subject Line: Following Up on [Job Title] Role

Body:

Hi [Recruiter’s Name],
I hope you're doing well. I wanted to follow up on the [Job Title] position we discussed last week. I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity and the direction your team is heading.

I’d love to know if there’s any update on the process or anything else you need from me. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide further information.Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Common Mistakes in Follow-Up Emails

When writing a follow-up email to a recruiter, avoid these slip-ups:

• Being too vague – Get to the point and remind them who you are.
• Sounding impatient – Avoid phrases like “I haven’t heard back yet” or “Please respond ASAP.”
• Too long – Keep your message under 200 words.
• Typos or bad grammar – Recruiters definitely notice.
• Not testing before sending – Make sure everything’s alright with your email to avoid unnecessary issues. Use GlockApps to get insights.

If you’re wondering how to send a follow-up email to a recruiter, think of it less like a sales pitch and more like a check-in.

What If You Don’t Hear Back After Following Up?

If you’ve sent a follow-up email to a recruiter and haven’t heard back after 7–10 days, it’s okay to send one final, polite message. But after that, it’s best to move on. Recruiters get busy, roles shift, and sometimes, no response is the answer. Keep your tone professional, and don’t burn bridges; you never know when that recruiter might reach out about a future opportunity. Persistence is great, but knowing when to pivot is just as valuable in your job search.

But before jumping to conclusions, make sure your email didn’t get into their spam folder. How can you check it? Test your email deliverability with GlockApps to find out! Who knows, maybe you’ve got a bad sender reputation.

Final Thoughts 

A well-written follow-up recruiter email doesn’t just show you’re proactive, it shows you’re a communicator. And in today’s job market, that’s a major plus. So next time you’re tempted to just “wait and see,” go ahead and craft that follow-up. Because staying quiet? That’s the real risk.

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