How to Follow Up After Applying to Remote Jobs in Latin America

Let’s be clear about what’s reasonable to expect.

A confirmation that they received your application. 

A clear timeline. 

A yes or no when promised.

Some feedback if you interviewed or did a test task. 

That’s what professional companies do. But many companies still drop the ball.

So here’s what you can do about it.

Step 1: Set Expectations During the Application Process

The best time to avoid confusion is before you even submit.

Read the job posting carefully. Does it say when they’ll respond? How many interview rounds? What the process looks like?

If they give a timeline, note it down.

In your cover letter or application message, mention your availability. “I’m available for interviews between 9 AM and 5 PM Colombia time, Monday through Friday.”

This shows you’re organized and makes scheduling easier.

If you’re doing a test task, confirm the deadline. “Just to confirm, you need this by Friday, January 10th at 5 PM?”

Clear communication from your side encourages clear communication from theirs.

Step 2: Wait for Their Promised Timeline (Then Follow Up)

This is where most people mess up.

They either follow up too soon and seem desperate, or wait forever and miss their chance.

Here’s the rule: Wait until their timeline has passed, then follow up within 2-3 business days.

If they said “we’ll review applications within 7 business days,” wait 8-9 days. Then send a short message.

Step 3: How to Follow Up After an Interview

You had the interview. You thought it went well.

Now it’s been a week and you haven’t heard anything.

The interview follow-up timeline:

Wait until 1-2 days after their promised response date. If they said “we’ll let you know by Friday,” wait until Monday or Tuesday.

Then send this:

“Hi [Name],

Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for [Position] last week. I really enjoyed learning about [specific thing you discussed].

I wanted to follow up on the timeline you mentioned. Are there any updates on next steps?

I’m excited about the possibility of joining your team.

Gracias!”

If they still don’t respond after this follow-up:

Wait one more week. Send one final message:

“Hi [Name],

I know you’re busy, so I wanted to check one more time if there are any updates on the [Position] role.

If the position has been filled or you’ve decided to move forward with other candidates, I completely understand. I’d appreciate just knowing either way so I can plan accordingly.

Thank you!”

This message does two things. It’s polite but also makes it clear you just need closure.

Most companies will respond to this one, even if just to say “we went another direction.”

Step 4: When and How to Ask for Feedback

Here’s the big question: Should you ask for feedback after rejection?

The short answer: Yes, but strategically.

Not every rejection deserves a feedback request. But some do.

Ask for feedback if:

• You did a live interview (video call, phone screen, in-person)
• You completed a test task or assignment
• You made it to final rounds
• The company seemed professional and communicative up until the rejection

Don’t bother asking if:

• You never got past the application stage
• The company already ghosted you multiple times
• They sent an obviously automated rejection weeks late

Step 5: What to Do When You Get Actual Feedback

Let’s say a company actually responds with feedback.

“We liked your technical skills, but we needed someone with more experience managing customer calls in English. Your interview responses were great when prepared, but you seemed less comfortable with spontaneous conversation.”

This is gold.

Even if it stings a bit.

Here’s what to do:

First, respond gracefully:

“Thank you so much for taking the time to share this feedback. I really appreciate the specific insights, and I’ll definitely work on improving my spontaneous English conversation skills. I hope we can stay in touch for future opportunities.”

Second, actually use the feedback:

If they said you need more English conversation practice, join language exchange groups. Practice with conversation partners. Record yourself speaking and review it.

If they said you need more experience with a specific tool, take a course. Build a project using it. Add it to your portfolio.

If they said you seemed unprepared for questions about remote work, prepare better answers for next time.

The companies that give feedback are doing you a favor. Show them it wasn’t wasted.

Step 6: What to Do with Generic or No Feedback

Most of the time, you’ll get generic feedback or none at all.

“We decided to move forward with other candidates.”

“We found someone whose experience was a closer match.”

Or just silence.

This doesn’t mean you can’t learn anything.

Look at the pattern across multiple applications.

If you’re getting interviews but no offers:

• Your resume and portfolio are strong enough
• Something in the interview isn’t landing
• Practice your interview skills, especially answering questions about remote work, self-management, and communication

If you’re not getting interviews at all:

• Your application might not be standing out
• Your portfolio might not show the right skills
• Your cover letter might be too generic
• You might be applying to jobs that are outside your experience level

If companies keep mentioning the same thing:

• “We need someone with more X experience”
• “We’re looking for stronger Y skills”

That’s your answer. That’s what to work on.

Special Notes for Latin American Remote Workers

If you’re applying to international remote jobs from Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, or anywhere in Latin America, a few extra things matter.

Time zones affect response times. If you’re messaging a U.S. company and it’s 9 PM your time, they might not see it until tomorrow. Be patient.

Language barriers can slow communication. If you’re more comfortable in Spanish, that’s fine. But make sure your English messages are clear and professional. Use Grammarly or ask someone to review if needed.

Your network matters more than you think. Latin American remote work communities are tight. People share experiences. How you handle rejection (professionally, gracefully) builds your reputation.

Good companies exist. If a company repeatedly ghosts you, doesn’t respect your time, or makes you do extensive unpaid work with zero feedback, that’s a red flag. Move on. There are better opportunities.

The Bottom Line

Getting ghosted sucks. But you’re not powerless.

Follow up professionally after their timeline passes. Ask for feedback when you’ve earned it through interviews or test tasks. Use whatever information you get to improve.

Keep applying. Keep learning. Keep building your skills.

The right opportunity with a company that respects your time is out there.

And when you find it, all these ghosting experiences will have taught you exactly what questions to ask and what red flags to avoid.

You deserve better than silence.

Keep pushing until you find employers who understand that.