How to Follow Up After Submitting a Job Application in South Africa

Sending an application and then waiting in silence is one of the most frustrating parts of job hunting. Many people either never follow up or follow up in a way that annoys the employer. Done correctly, a polite follow-up can keep your name visible without damaging your chances.

1. When you should follow up

Private sector jobs: Wait 7–10 working days after the closing date (or after you submitted, if there was no closing date). Government / municipal jobs: Wait at least 3–4 weeks. Many departments take longer because of high volumes and formal processes. If the advert gave a specific timeline (e.g. “shortlisting will take place within two weeks”), wait until that period has passed.

Following up too early can make you look impatient. Waiting too long can mean the opportunity has already moved on.

2. Best ways to follow up

Email (preferred method)

Use the same email address you applied from. Keep the message short and professional.

Subject line example:

Follow-up: Application for Stores Assistant – Ref RC092026

Body example:

Dear Hiring Manager / HR Team,

I hope you are well. I submitted my application for the position of Stores Assistant (Reference: RC092026) on [date]. I remain very interested in the role and would like to enquire whether there is any update on the shortlisting process.

Please let me know if you need any additional information from my side. Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

[Your Full Name] [Phone number] [Email]

Phone call

Only call if a phone number was provided in the advert and the culture of the company seems open to it. Keep the call under two minutes. Introduce yourself, state the position and reference number, and politely ask if there is any update.

3. What you should never do

Send multiple messages in one week Use WhatsApp if it was not given as a contact method Sound demanding or entitled Follow up on public social media posts tagging the company Ask “Did I get the job?” directly

4. What to do if you get no reply

Silence is common. It does not always mean rejection. Continue applying for other roles. You can send one final polite follow-up after another 10–14 days, then move on.

5. Extra tip that helps

Keep a simple spreadsheet of every application: date submitted, company, position, reference number, and date of any follow-up. This stops you from following up too early or forgetting which roles you applied for.

A professional follow-up shows interest and organisation. Used sparingly and politely, it can work in your favour.