After You Apply: What Proactive Job Seekers Do Next

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You did everything right: updated your résumé, aligned your experience with the job posting, wrote a thoughtful cover letter, triple-checked everything, and hit submit. Then, you wait. Days pass, then weeks. Maybe you get a rejection, but more often, silence. Many job seekers fall into the “apply and wait” trap. Applying online alone rarely gets you noticed. The best roles often go to referrals, internal hires, or people who had networking conversations before the job was even posted. By the time you see it online, you’re competing with insiders and hundreds of external applicants.

The #1 mistake

The #1 mistake I see job seekers make is assuming hiring is a level playing field. In STEM fields, there’s a tendency to rely on credentials, “If I’m qualified, they’ll reach out.” This assumption keeps you passive. Even if you’re highly qualified, you’re at a disadvantage if no one at the company knows you. Trust drives hiring decisions.

Let’s be clear: merit matters, but hiring managers rarely pick the person with the best résumé; they pick the one who’s lowest risk. That’s usually someone referred or already known to the team. If you want to be seriously considered, you need to do more than apply and wait. You need to be visible to people at your target companies and position yourself as a known quantity, not just another faceless résumé.

What do you do after you apply? 

Don’t stop at submit, but don’t follow up immediately either. Wait 5–10 business days to give the hiring team time to review applications. If the posting mentions a review date, use that as your guide. Next, figure out who to follow up with. The posting might mention a department, recruiter, or reporting line — e.g., “This role reports to the Head of R&D.” These hints can help you identify a potential LinkedIn contact.

Head to the company’s LinkedIn page, click the “People” tab, and search for titles based on what you found. Think: Talent Acquisition Partner, HR Manager, or [Department] Director. If someone seems relevant, send a connection request: “Hi [Name], I recently applied for the [Job Title] role at [Company] and wanted to follow up on the hiring timeline. Looking forward to connecting. – [Your Name]”. Some postings include a “Meet-the-Hiring-Team” section. If you see it, take advantage of it, as it often shows the actual recruiter or hiring manager. If no names are listed, try combination searches like “HR manager Thermo Fisher Scientific” or “Director of R&D Genentech.” Even without LinkedIn Premium, you can send a note with your request: “Hi [Name], I recently applied for the [Job Title] role at [Company]. I believe my background in [relevant skills/area] aligns well with the team’s needs. May we connect? – [Your Name]”. This isn’t your follow-up message. It’s a low-pressure way to associate your name with your application and show initiative.

If your request is accepted, that’s a good time to follow up: “Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I’m excited about the [Job Title] role and the work your team is doing in [focus area]. I’d be glad to share how my background aligns. Looking forward to staying in touch. – [Your Name]”. Remember, the goal is visibility, not a hard pitch.

Don’t take it personally if they don’t accept your request.

Not everyone responds to messages from people they don’t know or checks LinkedIn regularly. If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, try someone else on the team or in a similar role. Keep it personalized: “Hi [Name], I just applied for the [Job Title] role at [Company] and saw you’re on the team. If you’re open to it, I’d like to hear more about your experience. May we connect? – [Your Name]”.

Check for recent LinkedIn activity. If they’ve recently posted or commented in the past two weeks, they’re more likely to see your message.

To improve your odds of response:

  • Start with warm leads, or people you already know, like friends, former colleagues, and others in your field.
  • Build rapport first. Don’t ask strangers for referrals in your first message. Aim for connection.
  • Mention a common connection like a shared alma mater, similar background, or a recent post they shared to help spark conversation.

Don’t overlook other low-key ways to engage. 

You don’t always have to message someone directly. Commenting on posts can build visibility just as effectively. If someone on the team shares a project, article, or hiring update, leave a comment. Share your perspective, ask a question, or relate it to your work. Avoid empty replies like “Great post!” They don’t create connection. Follow companies and team members, engage with their posts, and re-share relevant content with your own take. These interactions help your name stick out and create familiarity.

Proactive outreach turns cold applications into real opportunities. Don’t wait to be discovered. Follow up. Use LinkedIn to connect, build visibility, and show initiative. That’s how people get referred, remembered, and hired in today’s job market.

This article originally appeared in the Career Connection column in the August 2025 issue of CEP. Members have access online to complete issues, including a vast, searchable archive of back-issues found at www.aiche.org/cep.