The Follow-Up Formula—What to Do After You Apply (That Most Biostatisticians Skip)

So, you’ve submitted your application. Your resume’s out in the world. Now what?

For most job seekers—especially in data-heavy, technical roles like biostatistics—this is where they go silent. They wait. Refresh their inbox. Second-guess themselves. Hope that the numbers on their CV will do the talking.

But here’s what I’ve learned working with dozens of biostatistics candidates and hiring managers: the post-application phase is not passive time. It’s a window of opportunity—and most people miss it.

This is the moment when momentum matters. Smart follow-up can give your name an edge. It shows you’re proactive, engaged, and serious about the role—not just submitting applications on autopilot.

When I was applying for my last job, I treated this step like a science experiment. I tested different messages, timing, and outreach approaches. What I found is this: when you reach out thoughtfully after applying, your chances of getting seen—and getting a callback—go way up.

In this next series of lessons, I’m going to walk you through:

• Who to follow up with (and how to find them)

• What to say (with scripts you can customize)

• When to follow up (and when to move on)

• How to keep track without getting overwhelmed

This is where you shift from passive applicant to active candidate.

If your resume gets 10 seconds of attention, your follow-up might earn you a full conversation.

Let’s make it count.

💡 Action Step: Don’t Wait—Follow Up with Intention
If you’ve recently applied to a role, don’t sit back and hope. Pick one company you’ve applied to and get ready to follow-up. In the next lessons, I’ll show you exactly how to do it, step-by-step. For now, commit to reaching out. This is your edge.