What to Do When Your Job Application Is in Progress
When an application sits in “In Progress” status for weeks, waiting passively rarely helps. Taking deliberate, low-friction action can move your file from the review queue into an introductory call without annoying the hiring team.
When should you follow up on an application marked “in progress”?
Give the internal recruiting team a realistic window before reaching out. Most internal talent teams review batches of candidates weekly rather than daily.
- Wait seven to ten business days after submitting before you make direct contact. Reaching out sooner signals impatience rather than initiative.
- Check the original posting first to see if a review timeline or closing date was listed. If the listing states applications close on the 15th, wait until two business days after that date.
- Log the date in your application tracker so you do not guess when your follow-up is due. Destava includes an application tracker that records the date you applied and keeps every role organized in one place.
How do you reach out without seeming pushy?
The biggest mistake job seekers make is sending a message that asks the recruiter to do work for them, such as asking “Did you see my resume?” Instead, make your note brief, polite, and informative. Add one concrete detail that reinforces why your background fits the role.
Here is an exact script you can send to a recruiter on LinkedIn or by email:
“Hi [Name], I applied for the [Job Title] role on [Date] via your careers portal. Given my recent work leading our team’s migration to PostgreSQL ahead of schedule, I was drawn to your engineering group’s plans to overhaul your data architecture. I know you are reviewing many applicants, but I wanted to reiterate my enthusiasm. My resume is on file under [Your Full Name]. Thanks for your time.”
If you need help phrasing your message or tailoring your points to the exact job description, Destava’s Writing Hub can draft a tailored follow-up note that mirrors the specific requirements of the listing.
Who should you contact besides the recruiter?
Recruiters receive hundreds of inbound messages a week. A warm introduction or insight from an engineer, marketer, or designer already working on that team often carries far more weight.
- Find a likely peer on the team: Search LinkedIn for people at the company with the exact title you want, or one level above it.
- Ask for perspective, not a referral: Most people ignore messages asking for an immediate job referral from a stranger. Instead, ask a specific question about their work.
- Send a two-sentence note: “Hi Sarah, I noticed you work on the mobile core team at [Company]. I recently submitted an application for the iOS Engineer opening and would love to know what framework your team uses for state management. No need for a long reply, just curious about your architecture.”
When someone responds, you gain real insight to mention in an interview, and they may offer to let the recruiter know you reached out.
How to manage your search while waiting
An application marked “in progress” is never a guarantee. The healthiest strategy is to send your structured follow-up once, wait five business days for a response, and continue applying elsewhere. If you receive no reply after one follow-up, mark the role as cold and redirect your energy toward other active opportunities.