The Power of the Follow-Up: Turn Silence into Opportunity

Hey there and welcome back to Career Conversations—the podcast where we break down the job search process and help you land the accounting and finance role you’ve been aiming for. I’m Adrian, and today we’re talking about something that can make a huge difference in your job hunt… but barely anyone talks about it properly:

👉 Following up on a job application.

Whether you’ve applied and heard nothing, or you’ve just finished an interview and are anxiously refreshing your inbox—this episode is for you.

And to go even deeper, we’ve put together a super useful guide over at accountancycapital.co.uk/following-up-on-a-job-application with scripts, timing tips, and best practices. Stick with us—we’re going to take the guesswork out of the follow-up.

Segment 1: Why Following Up Matters More Than You Think

Let’s be honest: the hiring process can feel like a black hole. You click “submit” on your application… and then? Crickets.

But here’s the truth: following up is not annoying. It’s professional, it’s proactive, and done right—it can be what gets you noticed.

Recruiters and hiring managers are busy. A well-timed follow-up shows that you're serious about the role and that you have strong communication skills—both of which are gold in the world of accountancy.

We break this all down in our guide, including the psychology behind why a follow-up often puts your name back at the top of the list.

Segment 2: When to Follow Up – Timing is Everything

Okay, let’s talk timing. One of the most common questions we get is: “How long should I wait before following up?”

📩 If it’s a job application, wait 7–10 business days.
🗣️ If it’s after an interview, 1–2 days is the sweet spot—enough time to be thoughtful, but still prompt.

And yes, we’ve got a breakdown of this with more detail and context on the website. We even include sample follow-up messages you can copy and tweak. Seriously—this is the stuff we all wish we had when we were job hunting!

Segment 3: What to Say – Without Sounding Desperate

Now let’s address the big worry: How do I follow up without sounding pushy or desperate?

Here’s a quick framework you can use:

1. Be polite
2. Express continued interest
3. Ask a simple question about next steps

Here’s an example you’ll find on our page:

“Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name], I hope you’re well. I wanted to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] role I submitted last week. I’m really enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team and would love to know if there’s any update on the process. Please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me. Best regards, [Your Name]”

Professional. Clear. Confident. And yes, we have more examples depending on where you are in the process—post-application, post-interview, even post-assessment centre.

Segment 4: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s quickly cover a few don’ts when it comes to following up:

❌ Don’t send multiple messages in a short space of time
 ❌ Don’t use a casual tone—this is still a professional interaction
 ❌ Don’t forget to proofread—typos in a follow-up can undo all the good work

And one more thing: don’t take silence personally. There are often internal delays or decision-making processes happening behind the scenes.

Again, our guide covers all these pitfalls and shows you how to stay on the radar without crossing the line.

Want help crafting your message or figuring out when to send it? Head over to accountancycapital.co.uk/following-up-on-a-job-application.