How to Follow Up After Applying for a Remote Job
Updated · 2 min read
Following up is useful when a person is deciding and might have forgotten you. It is useless when the next step is waiting on you. Most remote applications that go quiet do so for the second reason.
First, check whether it's waiting on you
Many remote contract roles have several steps: an application, a screening interview, sometimes an identity check or a profile to complete. If any of those is unfinished, no one will contact you, and a follow-up email will not change that. Search your inbox (and spam folder) for the employer's name and finish anything outstanding.
When to follow up
- Full-time remote roles: after the date the recruiter gave you, or about a week after your last interview.
- Contract roles after screening: about a week after you finished the last step.
- Never within a day or two of applying; it signals impatience, not interest.
What to write
Keep it to four or five lines. Name the role, say what you completed and when, ask one clear question, and thank them. For example:
Who to write to
For a role with a named recruiter, reply to their last email. For platform-based contract work, use the platform's support or help centre; individual project staff usually cannot see application status. Job boards — including this one — cannot see or change where your application stands on the employer's side, so writing to the board will not speed anything up.
If you hear nothing
Send one follow-up, then move on and keep applying. Silence often means the role was filled or paused, not that you did something wrong. You lose nothing by having other applications in progress.
Follow-up templates
After a full-time interview: "Thank you again for Tuesday's conversation about the Data Analyst role. I enjoyed discussing the reporting migration. I wanted to check on the timeline for next steps, and whether there's anything else I can share."
After contract screening: "I completed the screening for the Bilingual Expert project on 3 October. Could you let me know whether my application is complete, or if any further steps are needed on my side?"
After a long silence: "I wanted to follow up once more on my application for the Legal Fellow role. If the position has been filled, I'd appreciate knowing, and I'd be glad to be considered for future projects."
Keep the subject line specific — the role title and 'application follow-up' — so the message is easy to find and route.
Common questions
Should I follow up on LinkedIn instead of email?
Only if that is how you were contacted. Otherwise stick to the channel the employer uses.
Can following up hurt my chances?
Repeated messages can. One polite, specific note almost never does.
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