Question 1

When and how often should I follow up after my application?

Accepted Answer

Once and at the right time. If the recruiter promised a response by date X: follow up politely on that exact day. No date given: a short email after 2 weeks. Wording: 'I applied for [position] on [date] and wanted to briefly enquire whether my documents arrived completely and when I can expect a response.' After that: maximum one more follow-up after another 2 weeks. More than two follow-ups comes across as pushy — BA employment statistics show that recruiters often handle 100+ applications per position and responses are delayed. GDPR: you have the right to know what data is stored — also as an applicant.

Question 2

What do I do after a rejection?

Accepted Answer

Three steps: 1) Allow brief disappointment — 24 hours. 2) Request feedback: 'Could you briefly let me know what was decisive? This would help me develop further.' (approximately 20–30% of recruiters respond and the feedback is often invaluable). 3) Analysis: was it the qualification, presentation, or was the role simply not a good fit? Rejections are market research, not personal judgement.

Question 3

What do I do after an application rejection?

Accepted Answer

Three concrete steps: (1) Request feedback — wording: 'Could you briefly let me know what was decisive? This would help me develop further.' Approximately 20–30% of recruiters respond — the feedback is often more valuable than ten independent analyses. (2) Analysis without self-flagellation: was it qualification, presentation, or an internal candidate? According to BA statistics, 30–40% of positions are ultimately filled internally. (3) Network activation: stay in contact even after rejections — company environments change. AGG Section 1: if you suspect a discriminatory rejection (e.g. after disclosing pregnancy), you have the right to complain to the Anti-Discrimination Office. Rejections are market research, not judgements about your worth.

Question 4

What is ghosting in the application process and how do I deal with it?

Accepted Answer

Ghosting -- receiving no response after an application or after interviews -- has increased massively according to the StepStone Job Market Report 2025: 60% of all applicants report at least one ghosting experience. Causes: ATS overload (recruiters process 200+ applications per position), process gaps, no explicit obligation to send rejections in Germany (only in cases of proven discrimination under AGG Section 31 Q031). What you can do: Follow up once after 2 weeks, once more after another 2 weeks -- then move on internally. GDPR Art. 15: You have the right to access stored applicant data -- this can be used as a follow-up lever. Monster shows: Candidates who follow up politely are rated as more professional than those who remain silent or react with frustration. Practical tip: Always run 3-5 processes in parallel -- never wait for a single application.

Rejections & Application Analysis

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Rejections & Application Analysis

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