How to Ask Recruiter for Update (With 30+ Samples)

Waiting for an update can be challenging, especially if it’s for a job application. Many job applicants are eagerly waiting for that good news from recruiters.

However, not a lot of them know how to ask for updates.

According to experts, here are the best ways to ask a recruiter for an update:

Email is one of the most effective mediums for applicants to follow up or ask for updates regarding their interviews.

Use a strong and carefully crafted subject line

To get updates through email, your email subject line needs to be strong and easily catch the interviewer’s attention or whoever said they would be in touch with you.

Subject lines need to be carefully crafted because it determines if your mail will be opened or read. The ideal approach to writing a strong subject line for a follow-up email is by preparing a reply to the email thread used to schedule the interview.

For example, if the subject line for the interview is “Interview on Monday by 8:00 AM”, you can seek updates by replying to the email with the subject line “Re: Interview on Monday at 8:00 AM”.

Related: 40+ Best Subject Lines for Job Application and Follow Up

By furthering a conversation through the existing email thread while using the previous subject line, the chances that your email will be opened and read are higher.

Using the previous subject line creates clarity on what the email is about. It also indicates you are not cold-emailing them.

State the reasons why you’re doing a follow-up without any unnecessary information

It is essential to keep the body of your follow-up letter concise to increase the chances that the contents will be read. Most HR managers generally prefer when emails are short and straight to the point.

This ensures that they don’t waste precious time giving you a reply. State the reasons why you are directly doing a follow-up without adding unnecessary information.

It is very important to maintain a positive tone throughout your letter, regardless of how long you have waited for an update.

Thank the recipient and sign off with your first and last name. You can do a final review of the letter by correcting your spelling and grammar mistakes before finally sending it.

Explain to the hiring manager that you’re currently entertaining multiple opportunities

As a headhunter, I coach candidates on smoothly managing the follow-up process with hiring managers and their HR/talent acquisition/internal recruitment teams by communicating clearly throughout the entire interview life cycle.

If you do it right, you will never burn any bridges and likely be able to organize each interview process cleverly to increase the desirability for your profile and candidacy.

Furthermore, you may even increase your market value and the number of offers received!

Top candidates call the shots in the interview process, especially in today’s job-abundant, candidate-scarce environment.

If you’re a top candidate, explain to the hiring manager and/or recruiter that you’re currently entertaining multiple opportunities and need to manage the time and your headspace appropriately to respect all the employers/companies you’re considering.

Related: How to Tell a Potential Employer You Have Another Job Offer

Of course, this advice is dependent on what you do and how niche/important/scarce your market/role is, which arguably most markets today are severely candidate-short, so you should be able to benefit from this phenomenon.

Candidates who work in niche fields are usually afforded quite a bit of power during the interview process since clients are desperate to hire.

A note like this is short, sweet, and is asking for a response with a bit of a time-limitation that will compel the employer to take action and get back to you.

Bonus tip:

Keep in mind, in most career fields now, especially high-candidate-need roles. There is a significant shift of power to the candidate.

Fearlessly state your intention, transparently lay out your cards, timing, and financial needs, and do it diplomatically to respect everyone during the process.

Send a follow-up email within 24 hours of your interview

An email is better than a call because it provides your reply contact information in the message, and the recruiter can read it at their leisure.

While this isn’t asking for an update, I mention it as a first step because it establishes a pattern of continued interest and communication that can be helpful later.

In this initial email, you can also ask for a rough timeline of how long you should expect it to take to hear back, so you have a better idea of when they feel it’s appropriate for you to reach out for an update.

Reach out with a second email if you still haven’t heard back by their stated time

If you didn’t follow up right away (or didn’t get a definite answer on the timeline), it’s appropriate to send this email at least a week after your interview and no more than two weeks after.

Express your continued interest and include basic information like your name, when you interviewed, and the position(s) you were applying for—recruiters interact with many candidates so that this information will be helpful for them.

In the email, ask about your next steps and inquire for an update—this expresses confidence in your prospects and a proactive attitude toward the process, both of which will be taken as positive traits.

Related: How to Follow up After an Interview If You Haven’t Heard Back

Stay confident and be patient

Job hunting is already stressful, but waiting for a callback or a follow-up makes it insufferable. It is crucial to stay confident and be patient, as recruiters have their plates full, and the last thing they want is to receive calls after calls about your interview.

If an appropriate amount of time has passed and you haven’t heard anything from the recruiter yet, especially if the deadline for a follow-up has not been set, it wouldn’t hurt to show a bit of initiative and send them an email.

Related: How to Follow up with a Recruiter

It’s better to reply to the ongoing thread with the recruiter as it increases the chance of being opened quickly.

Be polite and considerate of their time

You should keep in mind, such as being extra polite and considerate of their time. If your email reads as nagging, chances are the recruiter won’t be impressed with such straightforwardness.

Start the email with their full name, explain the purpose of the email, and ensure that you’re specific about the job you’re inquiring about.

You may state your credentials once again to remind them about your credibility and interest in the company, finish it off by being super polite, and thank them for their time.

Use a concise and clear subject line that immediately catches their attention

You’re waiting anxiously for a reply from the recruiters, but they just won’t show a sign of life. You start to get a little nervous and want to follow up with them. That’s normal.

The first thing you should make sure to have down is a concise subject line that immediately jumps to their attention and makes the reason for your contact clear.

Perhaps the simplest method is to compose a new email using “Re:[previous interview subject line]” as the subject line. Say the recruiter contacted you with the subject line “Interview Invitation Monday noon” you can use the subject line “Re: Interview Invitation Monday noon.”

This makes the reason for your contact clear in the recruiter’s mind.

Follow-up with a short and polite email

All you have left to do is write a polite email that is straight to the point. In short, you just need to greet the recruiter, thank them for their time and interview, explain that you’re following up on it, reiterate your interest and excitement for this position, and ask whether there is any news or next steps about it.

This is pretty much it. You just need to add a goodbye note and sign off.

After you apply for the position and you haven’t heard anything, here’s how to follow up in case you haven’t received any updates:

Get their contact details

Make sure that you have the contact information, whether a recruiter, someone in HR, or the hiring manager. Make sure you know the job title and the date you applied.

Do not send multiple follow up email

HR and recruiters are bombarded with emails and resumes daily, so just let them know that you are interested. If you haven’t heard from them after 3-5 days of submitting your applications, contact does a follow-up.

A short e-mail or phone call is appropriate

Asking for an update from a Recruiter has to be done with sensitivity and grace. They are swamped, and you don’t want to be a pest.

Here are the things to consider:

• Recruiters work for the company, not for you.
• The hiring process often twists and turns, slowing the process down, things that you can’t control. Don’t get impatient.
• When you get in touch, be brief and to the point. A short e-mail or phone call is appropriate.

By ending with this sentence (Thanks again. You will hear from me shortly), you inform the Recruiter that you will be following through with a phone call. If you encounter their Administration Assistant when you call, you can say: “He/She is expecting my call.”

• Work through the Recruiter. Don’t bypass them by calling the company directly. Follow protocol and let the Recruiter do their job.
• I always recommend to folks that if you had a great Recruiter Driven job opportunity, don’t stop. Instead, go out and find another three opportunities.

That way, if the position does not work out, you already have three other opportunities “in the works.”

Avoid generic follow-up emails

It should be something personalized and tailored. The key here is focusing on key topics that came up during the interview. If you haven’t addressed some key points, it’s the perfect opportunity to let the interviewer know your stand.

You need to understand that spotting generic follow-up emails isn’t new to the hiring managers. Therefore you should spend a lot of effort crafting your letter, and it must be tailored accordingly.

You need to offer something of value to the recruiter

Don’t focus on reiterating the same things you’ve mentioned during the interview. You need to offer something of value to the recruiter, like mentioning an organization you support that their company supports.

You can also share articles that they might like or be interested in. And at all costs, don’t ask anything in return. With it, you’re ensuring that you’re positioning yourself on top of their mind.

Don’t send an email or call the recruiter several times

Recruiters always expect to be bombarded with many applicants asking for an update, may it be through email or phone after an interview. But it doesn’t mean it’s okay to send an email or call them several times.

You need to follow rules of thumb not to hurt your chances of getting hired. And reaching out too often is not one of those as it will only annoy the hiring manager.

A follow-up should be sent according to what the interviewer has set. If you’re instructed to wait after a week, sending a follow-up in a day or two would not be wise.

Be professional and don’t make a bad impression

Asking a recruiter for an update can help you express that you are genuinely interested in the job and increase your likelihood of getting hired.

Additionally, it can also bring calm to your restless mind that constantly wonders whether you’ll get hired or not.

But when asking for an update from a recruiter, it is imperative to be formal, impressive, and professional so as not to make a bad impression and reduce your chances of succeeding.

Related: What Does It Mean to Be Professional at Work?

Prefer to follow up emails over follow up calls

Email is the best platform for professional interactions. So, it is better to prefer follow-up emails over follow-up calls.

Using the email platform will give an impression of your professional acumen. Additionally, you should also ensure that you are to the point in your email and ask for updates without being too demanding.

The example illustrated below will help you understand the right way to write follow-up emails.

Don’t appear desperate

There is a difference between being curious and being desperate. You should focus on exhibiting your curiosity to know the results but refrain from appearing desperate.

Recruiters often consider desperate candidates impatient, which is a trait that they don’t like much. So, you should try to be balanced in your email and not exhibit desperation.

Don’t mention missed deadlines

It is best not to mention missed deadlines in the follow-up email. If your potential recruiter could not update you within the stipulated time, the chances are that he might be occupied with other things.

Under such circumstances, you mentioning the missed deadlines may be taken on the wrong note. So, you try to ask without saying the missed deadlines.

This is how you can ask about the updates clearly, concisely, and promisingly.

There are several explanations for why a recruiter may not have contacted you. They could be waiting for a response from the employer, working out the terms of your offer, or simply having a particularly hectic week.

Whatever the reason, if they indicated they’d contact you by a specific date and that date has gone, it’s acceptable to contact them and inquire about the job status.

It’s alright to follow up if they didn’t set you a deadline; however, we recommend waiting a week or two before doing so. Here’s how to do it with poise and confidence.

Make it clear that you’re interested, but don’t be pushy

Maintain a light and welcoming tone while concentrating on the following stages. You must approach the recruiter with excitement rather than desperation.

The most important piece of advice is to avoid calling. Recruiters are frequently overworked, and they don’t appreciate calls that aren’t scheduled.

Furthermore, sending an email makes it easier for them to follow up when they have time. Do you want to make a lasting impression? Mention a particular part of the interview. This will help refresh the recruiter’s memory and boost the chances of a response.

Mention any changes related to your application

Have you recently received an award for a class project or received word that you’ll be graduating summa cum laude?

Congratulations! That’s fantastic news, and it’s something you should include in your follow-up email.

When you contact the recruiter to let them know you’d like to revise your application, make sure to note this. It’s a great way to start an email, and it might help you land the job.

Don’t make phone calls to the employer too frequently

As much as possible, don’t annoy the recruiter by making phone calls frequently to follow up on your application respectively. You have to understand that the hiring process for a particular position can consequently take as much as 36 days.

Aside from that, a hiring officer manages applications for different positions simultaneously, which makes the entire hiring process quite lengthy.

Send one e-mail weekly

You can send a follow-up e-mail once a week respectively. This will allow you to develop a good relationship with the company. However, you need to remind yourself that you don’t need to sell yourself again in the e-mail consequently.

Don’t sound too desperate to get the job instantly. Instead, you can ask relevant questions about the duties and responsibilities you need to fulfill with the role you want with the company.

You can also ask questions about the employee training and development programs that might exist in the company.

Don’t blame the hiring officer for making you wait for the status of your application

It’s pretty unprofessional to accuse the hiring officer of being incompetent because they make you wait considerably for your application status.

Doing so will make you sound desperate and impatient consequently. This will make the hiring officer believe that you have a negative personality, making you become disqualified from the position.

Instead, you have to thank the hiring officer for the job opportunity and affirm your interest in continuing your application with the company, even if you have to wait patiently for the results.

The average process to interview candidates takes about 2 to 3 weeks, so you should reach out by week three if you do not hear back. There can often be delays in the interview process due to a temporary hiring freeze or hiring managers out of the office.

Related: How Long Does It Take to Hear Back From a Job Interview

Reach out and keep it business casual

The best way is to reach out and keep it business casual. You want to thank the interviewers for their time and mention that you wanted to follow up with the timeframe of the interview process due to your interest in the position.

This showcases that you are thankful for their time and interested in the position.

Show your continued interest

As long as you do it right, there’s no harm in following up with a recruiter for an update on your application’s status.

Ideally, you want to show them that your interest in the position hasn’t waned over time and that you look forward to hearing from them soon.

Your enthusiasm is a good signal for recruiters, as it shows them that you’re willing to challenge yourself and learn.

Be on the point and relevant

As a business owner trying to recruit candidates, it can sometimes come in the way of day-to-day operations.

During these times, I have received some messages from prospective candidates that I felt were relevant and to the point.

As time goes by, many people wonder if the recruiter has come up with any updates on them. They always seem to be in a frenzy and anxiety, waiting to hear from the recruiter after submitting their resumes online.

So as a new candidate that recently applied for a job, you want to ask the recruiter for an update. Or, as a candidate waiting to hear from them for a while now, you want to check in with the recruiter.

Here is how you ask the recruiter for an update:

This is an example of the first scenario, where the recruiter has not responded to you yet.

As this candidate was waiting for a response from the recruiter, they decided to send another email and ask for an update.

Related: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out, According to 24 Experts

Send quick links to new work

To make yourself stand out in a recruiter follow-up email, you can send links to any work you’ve completed since submitting your application.

That might make you stand out from the crowd because it’s something the recruiter can view quickly to get a sense of who you are and what you do.

Also, it gives them the opportunity to quickly share that with the hiring manager so that they can get feedback if needed. You’re simply giving them a quick way to discover more about you and what makes you shine as a candidate.

Follow up again after the initial follow-up

Don’t quiet up if you don’t hear back from the interviewer after the initial follow-up within two weeks (unless it was mentioned that this would be the case).

At this time, I strongly advise you to contact the company. And if you can’t reach the proper person, ask everyone you do reach if the position has been filled (they’ll most likely know).

Send a last, courteous email if you don’t feel comfortable phoning.

Maintain your composure whether you receive good or bad news

Maintain your composure once more! You don’t want to destroy any bridges, and there could be a variety of perfectly reasonable reasons why they haven’t responded.

Regrettably, not all recruiters will respond to job applicants. It isn’t right, yet it happens. If this is the case, go on, pick yourself up, and consider whether you would want to work for a company like that in the first place.

If they contact you, it is critical that you respond (whether good or bad news).

Either email or phone call to contact your consultant

How to ask a recruiter for an update as a candidate depends on its reason. If you are looking for an update on a vacancy you have been put forward for, you can expect to be in contact on a weekly basis, and picking up the phone is the best way to contact your consultant.

If you are looking for an update on the state of the current market and which job vacancies may be suitable for you, this would most likely be a monthly update, and either email or phone call would be best.

The most important thing to remember when receiving updates from your consultant is setting levels of expectation.

At the end of each call, don’t be afraid to ask when to expect your next update or even when would be best for you to make the call. It is essential to agree on the next step at a time that is feasible by both parties.

Leaving this step out could mean that your schedules are filled throughout the week. Your free time may not align, leading to back and forth missed calls and emails.

Drawing out the application process much longer than needed and potentially costing you an interview.

Send a professional email

It’s okay to send a professional email inquiring on the status of your application if you’ve applied for a job and haven’t heard back after two weeks. Make your own follow-up message using this sample email message as a template.

Frequently Asked Questions