Following Up After Submitting a CV When You Hear Nothing
If you submitted a CV online or by email and received no acknowledgement, wait seven to fourteen days, then send one short, polite email to the most appropriate contact. In Nigerian offices, email is usually safer than a cold call, LinkedIn can serve as a backup when no email is available, and the tone must remain formal and respectful of hierarchy. A second follow-up is reasonable after another week or two of silence; beyond that, move on.
This guide focuses on practical timing, channel choice and exact wording that fit hierarchical HR teams and everyday Nigerian workplace norms. It is general advice drawn from established career guidance and local observations, not a guarantee of any particular outcome.
When to Follow Up
Most career advisers recommend waiting at least one full week before the first contact. Sources such as Careery research on response times indicate that a large share of replies arrive within roughly eight days of application. Nigerian-focused guidance, including advice from Jobscholaraccess, commonly suggests waiting seven to ten days after submission before the first follow-up.
Adjust the window according to context:
- If the advert stated a closing date, wait until a few days after that date has passed.
- If the posting gave a specific review timeline, respect it and only write after the stated period ends.
- For large organisations or government-linked bodies, lean toward the longer end of the range (ten to fourteen days).
- If the advert explicitly says “no calls or emails,” do not contact them.
A second follow-up can be sent seven to fourteen days after the first if there is still complete silence. After two polite attempts, treat the process as closed on your side and continue applying elsewhere. Multiple messages in quick succession or daily reminders are widely viewed as unprofessional.
Choosing the Channel: Email, Call or LinkedIn
Email is the default and preferred channel for most formal applications in Nigeria. It leaves a written record, allows the recipient to reply when free, and fits hierarchical office culture where unexpected phone calls can feel intrusive. Accountemps (a Robert Half company) surveys have long shown email as the contact method most favoured by HR managers for post-application follow-ups.
A phone call is appropriate only in limited cases: when the advert invites telephone enquiries, when you already have a named contact who has spoken with you, or when applying to a very small organisation where the owner answers the main line. Cold-calling a large HR department or a senior manager without prior introduction risks being seen as disrespectful of their time and the chain of command.
LinkedIn is a practical alternative when you cannot locate a direct email address. Search for the company’s HR or talent-acquisition staff, or the hiring manager if named. A short connection request note or a brief message after connecting can work, provided it stays formal and references the exact role and application date. Avoid mass connection requests or informal language.
WhatsApp should be avoided unless the company has already used it to contact you or the advert lists a WhatsApp number for applications. Unsolicited messages on personal numbers can cross professional boundaries.
Finding the Right Person
A message addressed to a named individual is more likely to be opened than one sent to a generic careers inbox. Check the original advert for a contact name or email. If none is given, look on the company website careers or “contact us” page, LinkedIn (search “[Company] HR” or “[Company] Talent Acquisition”), or the signature of any automated acknowledgement you received.
In hierarchical Nigerian settings, it is safer to address the HR or recruitment contact rather than jumping straight to a director or chief executive unless that person is the only listed contact. Using the correct title (Mr, Mrs, Ms, or professional titles such as Dr or Engr where known) signals respect.
Polite Scripts Suited to Nigerian Office Culture
Keep every message short (three to six sentences), formal and free of emotional language. Open with a respectful greeting, state the role and date you applied, restate interest briefly, and ask a single clear question about the process or timeline. Close politely.
First Follow-Up Email (7–14 days after application)
Subject: Follow-up on [Job Title] application – [Your Full Name]
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Surname] / Dear Hiring Team,
I hope this email finds you well.
I submitted my application for the position of [Job Title] on [date] and am writing to confirm that it was received. I remain very interested in the opportunity and would be grateful for any update on the review timeline or next steps.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Phone number]
[LinkedIn profile URL if professional]
Second Follow-Up Email (7–14 days after the first)
Subject: Re: Follow-up on [Job Title] application – [Your Full Name]
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Surname],
I hope you are well.
I am writing once more regarding my application for the [Job Title] role submitted on [date]. I understand that recruitment processes take time and remain interested in contributing to [Company Name].
I would appreciate any brief update you are able to share on the status of the process.
Thank you again for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Phone number]
LinkedIn Message (when no email is available)
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Surname],
I recently applied for the [Job Title] position at [Company] on [date] and wanted to introduce myself briefly. My background in [one relevant skill or experience] aligns with the requirements listed. I would be grateful for any guidance on the hiring timeline or the best person to contact regarding applications.
Thank you for your time.
[Your Full Name]
Short Phone Script (only when appropriate)
“Good morning/afternoon, Sir/Ma. My name is [Full Name]. I applied for the [Job Title] position on [date] and am calling to confirm that my application was received. I remain interested in the role and would be grateful for any update on the process. Thank you for your time.”
Keep the call under one minute. If asked to hold or call back later, do so politely and do not press further on the same day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Following up within two or three days of submitting the CV. This often appears impatient.
- Sending multiple emails or messages in the same week.
- Using casual language, emojis, or first-name greetings when the culture is formal.
- Calling a senior manager or director without introduction.
- Expressing frustration or reminding the recipient how long you have been waiting.
- Ignoring an explicit “no contact” instruction on the advert.
- Sending the same generic message to every company without naming the role or date.
Before any follow-up, ensure your CV itself is clear and complete. A well-structured document that highlights relevant experience, education and results makes any subsequent contact more useful. The free CV Builder on AlertNaija247 can help produce a clean, single-column layout suitable for most Nigerian applications.
Questions Readers Often Ask
1. Is it okay to follow up if I only received an automated “application received” email?
Yes. An automated confirmation is not a human review. Treat the date of submission as day zero and wait the normal seven to fourteen days before writing a polite status enquiry.
2. What if the advert said applications close on a certain date and that date has passed with no word?
Wait a few business days after the closing date, then send one short follow-up. Many organisations only begin serious screening after the deadline.
3. Should I copy my original application email or attach the CV again?
It is usually unnecessary to re-attach the CV unless the contact asks for it. Reference the original submission clearly by role title and date. If you applied through a portal, simply state that fact.
4. How many times can I follow up without damaging my chances?
Two professional attempts is the widely accepted maximum. After the second unanswered message, stop. Further contact rarely changes the outcome and can leave a negative impression.
5. What if I still hear nothing after two follow-ups?
Assume the process has moved on or the role has been filled or paused. Continue applying to other openings and keep records of every application so you can follow up systematically on new ones. Silence is common in high-volume recruitment environments and is not necessarily a reflection of your CV quality.
Practical Steps to Take Today
- Open a simple tracker (spreadsheet or notebook) listing every application: company, role, date submitted, contact details if known, and follow-up dates.
- Identify any applications that are already past the seven-to-fourteen-day window and prepare a single polite email using the scripts above.
- Search LinkedIn or the company website for a named HR or recruitment contact where none was provided.
- Send the first follow-up on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning if possible, when inboxes tend to be less crowded.
- Set a calendar reminder for a possible second follow-up and then close the file if silence continues.
For graduates and mid-level applicants navigating hierarchical teams, the goal of a follow-up is simple: confirm receipt, restate genuine interest, and request a brief status update without creating pressure. Done once or twice with the right tone and timing, it demonstrates professionalism. After that, the most productive step is to keep applying.
This guide offers general practical advice based on widely published career guidance and observations of Nigerian recruitment practice. It does not constitute a promise of response or interview from any employer.