How to Follow Up With Unresponsive Recruiters

I have a lot of candidates email me months after we’ve spoken about roles and say, “Has anything new opened up that would match my skillset?” Oof. I don’t know off hand. Here’s what to include when following up with a recruiter: - Re-attach your resume - Put in the email a quick summary of your experience, and if possible, reference anything memorable from the interaction. It’s been a few months. A recruiter probably remembers your name but it is very difficult to recall your exact experience with no additional information included. - Since you’ve spoken, include anything new (I just got a promotion, I’m leading an additional group, I completed XYZ certification). It's OK to brag - we know you are awesome! - Do the leg work and look at the company's careers page. Did you see anything you’re interested in? Include a link to that and say why you think you’re qualified or why you want to learn more You don’t need to email a novel, but when you send a “You Up?” email, you are basically asking a recruiter to go back through their notes, find your resume and notes from the conversation, scour the company’s careers page and try to guess what might fit. That’s a lot of work for them. It might seem manageable, but recruiters speak to often thousands of candidates a year. Hope that helps! I know it’s frustrating when people don’t respond to your emails, so make it as easy as possible for them! Good luck with the search - I am rooting for you! #applyingforjobs #jobinterviewtips #recruiting

True story: A candidate followed up with me 4 times in less than 24 hours. Their burning question? "Did you receive my message?" As a recruiter, I appreciate persistence, but... Here's what actually happens: 1. I sort emails by urgency (offers, interview cancellations, etc.) 2. Then work through oldest to newest 3. Excessive follow-ups push you to the back of the line Result? The candidate who thought they were being proactive actually delayed their own process. And solicited a heavy sigh from yours truly.. 😉 The counterproductive approach: → Send multiple "checking in" emails → Follow up within hours → Assume no response means no interest Reasons NOT to follow up: • "Just checking in" on your application status • You're feeling anxious and want reassurance • Making sure they got your message The effective approach: → Wait at least 4 business days before following up → Have a compelling reason to reach out → Use tools like email trackers for peace of mind Reasons TO follow up: • You have a competing offer with a deadline • You're advancing quickly with a competitor, but X company is your first choice • There's new information relevant to your application • You've achieved a significant milestone since applying Remember: Following up is an art, not a hammer. It's about adding value, not creating noise. The key is to be persistent but respectful, proactive but patient, and memorable for the right reasons. Your next role isn't just about how often you reach out, but how effectively you communicate when you do.

The silent treatment from recruiters is crushing careers—here's how to fight back 👇🏼 Three weeks ago, a talented marketing director shared something that made my stomach drop: "I've had 4 final-round interviews this quarter. Zero responses. I'm starting to think I'm invisible." She's not alone. Interview ghosting has become the norm, not the exception. But here's what most people don't realize: The best candidates aren't just waiting around hoping for callbacks. They're using these 3 counterattack strategies: ✅ Strategy 1: Flip the script during interviews Instead of asking "When will I hear back?" try this: "I'm excited about this role—what would need to happen for us to move forward together?" This positions you as someone solving their problem, not waiting for their verdict. ✅ Strategy 2: Build your own intel network Before your interview, identify 3 people who work there (not in HR). Send thoughtful messages about their work. When you have advocates inside, ghosting becomes much harder. ✅ Strategy 3: The value-bomb follow-up Skip the generic "thank you" email. Instead, send something that makes them think: "We need this person." One client researched their biggest competitor and sent a 2-minute market analysis. Got the offer that same week. We can't fix broken hiring processes overnight. But we can stop playing by their rules. Question: Have you ever been ghosted after an interview? How did you recover? — 📌 If you’re needing more help, this is why I created Remote Dream Job Masterclass. It’s the exact strategy I teach all my 1on1 coaching clients to land interviews without applying online. If you’d like to join, just scroll up and click “View My Newsletter” or check the Featured Section on my profile.