What to Do After Submitting a Remote Job Application

You finally hit submit. After staring at the job description, tweaking your resume, and triple-checking your application, you send it off and close the tab. Then what? That quiet space between applying and hearing back can feel strange, part relief, anticipation, and dread.

It's tempting to refresh your inbox every few minutes or spiral into self-doubt, but that in-between time doesn't have to be wasted.

What you do after applying can shape how ready you are for the next step and how confident you feel.

In this guide, we'll talk about what to do after submitting a remote job application, how to stay proactive without becoming obsessive, how to prepare in ways that matter, and how to use this time to set yourself up for future opportunities. You won't find vague advice here.

You'll find real steps that help you stay grounded, focused, and ready.

Step Back and Reflect While It's Fresh

Before you move on to the next job post, take a few minutes to reflect on the one you just applied for. Not in a "should I have written that differently?" way, but with purpose.

What drew you to the role? What stood out in the company's tone or culture? Jot down a few quick notes on your remote job tracking spreadsheet while it's fresh.

If they respond, tracking your remote job applications will save you time, especially if you apply to multiple roles. That mental snapshot is easier to revisit when you've captured it in the moment.

This small habit becomes powerful over time. You build a deeper sense of what types of roles and companies energize you and create a record you can reference later. Remote roles can blur together quickly. Writing down a few details now helps you show up with clarity later.

Get Ready Before They Call

You might think, "I'll prep if I get the interview." But the truth is, you'll never feel fully ready if you're starting from scratch the moment an email hits your inbox. Preparing a little bit now, while it's all still familiar, makes future you thankful.

Reread the job description. Save a copy if you haven't already; many remote job listings are removed once applications close. Look into the company more deeply. Who's on the team? What do they value? Do they have recent blog posts, press coverage, or podcast interviews?

Note this in your tracking spreadsheet. That way, if they reach out, you're not scrambling; you're ready to have a real conversation.

After submitting a remote job application, understanding what to do isn't just about patience. It's about staying ready without staying stuck. It's a quiet form of confidence-building.

Resist the Urge to Hover Over Your Inbox

It's easy to obsessively check your email, hoping for a response. But remote hiring often moves slower than you'd like.

Many companies are distributed across time zones, and hiring managers juggle multiple roles. Most won't respond within a day, and many won't respond at all unless you're shortlisted.

Instead of letting the silence dent your confidence, shift your focus. Apply to another remote job. Learn something new. Work on a portfolio project or build out your LinkedIn presence. Keep moving. When you take action, you're not just waiting but continuing to build momentum.

If you're a member of our free community, you will have access to our free guide on 30+ remote job boards for all roles. These are the best places to find opportunities that match your skills and experience. Sites specific to particular industries, including health and financial roles, are included.

After submitting a remote job application, knowing what to do means learning to manage the waiting without derailing your mindset. The silence doesn't mean anything about your worth. It just means the process is still moving.\

Consider a Follow-Up Later

It always makes sense to follow up.

If the job listing includes a hiring contact or the company encourages direct outreach, a thoughtful email can make you more memorable after about a week or two. Make sure it's respectful, not pushy. You're reminding them you exist, not demanding a response.

After submitting a remote job application, learning what to do includes reading the situation. Sometimes, silence means "not yet." Other times, it's just silence. Either way, knowing how to move forward without clinging to one outcome is part of the process.

Track It and Let It Go

We've touched upon this already, but updating your application tracking spreadsheet will help you monitor your applications. What matters is that you have a record, especially if they contact you weeks later.

It's not unusual for remote hiring to stretch out. You don't want to be caught off guard when someone replies to an application you barely remember sending. Join our community and gain access to our free application tracking spreadsheet.

Tracking becomes second nature when you understand what to do after submitting a remote job application. It's a quiet way of respecting your time and your effort. Once it's logged, you can release it. You've done your part. Now, shift your energy toward what you can control next.

What to Do After Submitting a Remote Job Application

Every application you submit is a moment of possibility, but not everyone will have a job. The space between submission and response must not be empty or anxious. It can be a time to regroup, reflect, and recalibrate. So here's a question: If no one ever responded to this job, would you still feel proud of how you showed up?

That's where your power is, how you move, not just where you land.