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What to do when you have no reply

A calm, practical look at silence after a referral request: what it can mean, when to follow up and when to move on.

Quick answer: Silence usually means busy, not no. Follow up once politely, then ask someone else and keep going.

1 min read

Waiting for an answer is uncomfortable, and silence is easy to read as a no. Most of the time it means the person is busy, away or has not got round to it. It rarely says anything about you.

What you can do

  • Wait about a week, then send one short, friendly follow-up.
  • If there is still nothing, send one last note or let it rest.
  • Ask someone else in parallel. You are not being disloyal, and it keeps you moving.

A gentle follow-up

Hi [name], just a quick nudge on my earlier message about the [role] position. Completely understand if you're busy or it isn't possible. Thanks for considering it.

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Keep momentum

  • Log who you asked and when, so nothing is forgotten.
  • Keep applying through the normal route as well.
  • Spend some time each week on something you can control, such as improving your CV.

After a follow-up or two, it is kind to let it go. Being gracious now leaves the door open for the future.

Put it into practice

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Guides on this site were last updated on 17 Oct 2026. This is general information, not advice for your situation.

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