No response after first follow-up – Should I reach out again?

Hey! I totally get how frustrating this situation can be. Generally, it’s totally okay to follow up a second time, especially if it’s been a couple of weeks since your first follow-up. A good rule of thumb is to wait about a week or two after your first follow-up...

Keep your tone polite and concise. Just a gentle reminder that you’re still very interested and eager to hear back. It’s all about balance: you want to show persistence without being too pushy.

Good luck! ?

Great advice from Rita, I completely agree! Following up a second time after about a week or two is totally reasonable, and keeping it polite and concise is key.

One thing I’d add is that if you still don’t get a response after the second follow-up, it might be a sign to shift focus to other opportunities while keeping the door open for the future. 

Sometimes, no response just means delays, but other times, it’s an indirect way of signaling that they’ve moved on. Either way, staying proactive with other applications can help avoid too much frustration.

Hope you hear back soon! ?

Yes, it’s generally appropriate to follow up a second time if you haven’t received a response to your initial follow-up email, especially for competitive roles at bulge bracket banks like Goldman Sachs or J.P. Morgan, where HR manages high volumes of candidates. A second follow-up demonstrates persistence and genuine interest, which are valued in investment banking’s fast-paced environment. However, you need to strike a balance to avoid appearing overly pushy, which could harm your impression.

Ideal Time Interval and Approach

• Timing: Wait 5–7 business days after your first follow-up before sending a second one. This gives HR sufficient time to respond while showing you’re proactive but respectful. Since you’ve already waited 1–2 weeks, you’re within a reasonable window to follow up now. For context, hiring processes at bulge bracket banks can take 2–4 weeks per round, so delays aren’t uncommon, especially in busy offices like NYC or London.
• Approach: Keep your second follow-up concise, professional, and value-adding. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, briefly reference your prior communication, and politely inquire about any updates. Avoid sounding frustrated or entitled. If possible, include a subtle nod to the firm’s recent activity (e.g., a deal or news) to show engagement, which aligns with the polished candidate profile these firms seek.

Hey There!

It’s absolutely fine to send a second follow-up if you haven’t heard anything after your first message, especially if it has been over a week since your last attempt. A polite check-in after about seven to ten days is generally seen as reasonable. Keep your tone appreciative and brief, reaffirming your continued interest in the role and expressing your understanding that the process may take time.

Firms can sometimes take longer than expected to coordinate next steps or respond, particularly during busy recruiting seasons. Following up shows that you’re engaged and serious, as long as you avoid sounding impatient. If there’s still no response after your second message, it’s okay to shift focus to other opportunities while keeping the door open in case something does move forward later. Staying professional and calm through silence is a strength in this process.

Yeah, definitely okay to follow up again! I’d wait a week or so after the first follow-up. Just keep it short and polite and show you're still interested but not desperate. If they don’t reply after that, probably best to move on. Hope you hear back!