Follow-Up Etiquette

You've made your move. You walked into a business, asked if they were hiring, and had a good conversation. Maybe the manager told you they would get back to you, or maybe they asked you to leave your contact info. Now what? Well, now it’s all about the follow-up.

Following up is like the secret sauce to getting noticed. It shows that you’re serious about the job, that you’re organized, and that you know how to take initiative. But there’s a fine line between being persistent and being a pest. If you follow up too soon, you might come across as pushy. If you wait too long, they might forget about you altogether.

In this tutorial, we’ll break down the right way to follow up after you’ve asked if a business is hiring. We’ll talk about the best timing, how to check in without being annoying, and how to keep yourself top of mind without going overboard.

Why Follow-Up Matters

Sometimes, businesses won’t give you an answer right away. That doesn’t mean they’re not interested, though. They might just be busy, or they could be waiting to see if they have any openings before giving you a definite answer. This is where following up comes in.

By checking in after your initial conversation, you remind them that you’re still interested, which could give you an edge over other candidates who didn’t bother. Plus, it shows that you’re professional and have good communication skills—qualities any employer would appreciate.

However, the key is to follow up in a way that’s polite, respectful, and not pushy. Think of it like a friendly nudge, not a nag.

Rule of Thumb: How Long to Wait Before Following Up

The golden rule of follow-up is timing. Follow up too quickly, and you risk coming across as impatient. Wait too long, and they might forget who you are. So, how long should you wait before following up?

General Rule of Thumb: Wait at least a week before reaching out again, unless they specifically told you otherwise.

If they gave you a specific timeline, follow that. For example, if the manager said, “We’ll be making decisions in two weeks,” respect that timeline and follow up after the two-week mark. This shows that you’re listening and respectful of their process.

If they didn’t give you a clear timeline, waiting one week is a safe bet. It’s enough time to show that you’re patient but not so long that they’ve completely forgotten about you.

How to Check In Without Being Annoying

Now that you’ve waited the right amount of time, it’s time to follow up. The key here is to keep it polite, simple, and professional. You’re just checking in to see if there are any updates, not pressuring them for an answer.

Here’s how to structure your follow-up:

1. Start with a Polite Greeting “Hi [Manager’s Name], I hope you’re doing well.”

2. Remind Them Who You Are “I stopped by last week to ask about potential job openings, and I wanted to follow up on our conversation.”

3. Keep It Brief and to the Point “I just wanted to see if there have been any updates on the position we discussed.”

4. Express Your Continued Interest “I’m still very interested in any opportunities that may be available, and I’d love to discuss them further if possible.”

5. End on a Polite Note “Thanks so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

That’s it! Short, sweet, and respectful. You’re giving them a gentle nudge without being pushy. They know you’re still interested, but you’re not pressuring them for an immediate answer.

Sample Email for Following Up

Here’s an example of what a follow-up email could look like:

Subject: Following Up on Our Conversation

Hi [Manager’s Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I stopped by [the business name] last week to ask about job openings and wanted to follow up on our conversation. I just wanted to check in and see if there have been any updates regarding available positions.

I’m still very interested in any opportunities and would love to discuss them further if possible.

Thanks so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best, [Your Name]

If you’re following up in person, the same structure applies. Greet them politely, remind them who you are, and ask for an update. Something like, “Hi [Manager’s Name], I just wanted to follow up on the job openings we talked about last week. I’m still very interested in any opportunities that may be available.”

Avoid Overdoing It: Don’t Be a Pest

Following up is important, but overdoing it can have the opposite effect. Think of it like asking someone out on a date—if you ask every single day, it’s going to come across as desperate and annoying. The same goes for following up on a job inquiry.

Here are some things to avoid when following up:

• Don’t Follow Up Too Often Checking in once a week is fine. Following up every single day? Not so much. Give them space to make a decision. If they said they’d get back to you in two weeks, don’t send a follow-up email halfway through that period. Patience is key.

• Don’t Be Pushy Avoid language that sounds demanding or impatient. Phrases like, “I haven’t heard back from you yet” or “I need to know soon” can come across as entitled. Instead, keep the tone polite and professional.

• Don’t Follow Up by Multiple Channels at Once If you sent a follow-up email, don’t also call them and drop by in person on the same day. Stick to one method of communication at a time.

By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll come across as professional and respectful, which will make a much better impression on the hiring manager.

Timing Your Follow-Up: Be Patient, But Not Passive

One of the most important things to remember when following up is timing. If you asked about job openings during a busy season, like the holidays or back-to-school rush, remember that the manager might take longer to get back to you. Be patient, but don’t let too much time pass without checking in.

Pro Tip: If the manager told you they’d get back to you in a specific timeframe (like “two weeks”), make sure to respect that timeframe. Follow up a few days after that period has passed if you still haven’t heard anything.

For example, if they said they’d get back to you by Friday, don’t send a follow-up email on Thursday. Instead, wait until the following Monday or Tuesday. This shows that you’re giving them the time they asked for, but you’re also staying proactive.

How to Handle Radio Silence

Sometimes, even after following up, you might not hear back. It happens! The key is to not take it personally. Maybe they’re still busy, or maybe they’ve decided to go with someone else but haven’t had the chance to inform everyone yet.

If you’ve followed up politely a couple of times and still haven’t heard back, it might be time to move on. However, don’t completely write off the opportunity. You can always reach out again a month or two later to see if anything has changed.

For example: “Hi [Manager’s Name], I reached out a little while ago regarding job openings at [business name] and wanted to check in to see if there have been any changes. I’m still very interested in any opportunities that may be available and would love to stay in touch.”

This way, you’re keeping the door open without being too pushy.

In Conclusion: Follow-Up Etiquette That Works

Following up after asking if a business is hiring is a delicate balance. You want to show that you’re interested and proactive, but you don’t want to come across as impatient or pushy. By waiting the right amount of time, being polite in your follow-up, and respecting their timeline, you’ll make a great impression without annoying anyone.

Remember, persistence is a great quality, but only when it’s paired with patience. If you can strike that balance, you’ll stand out as someone who is both professional and considerate—a winning combination in any job search.

Stay tuned for the next tutorial, where we’ll cover how to handle the next steps if you get a “yes” or even a “no” after your follow-up!