Steve Dalton is an advocate for job searches that are both quick and efficient, coining his “3B7 Routine”: a simple, structured follow-up system from his book that helps you keep your outreach organized and efficient. While others may have different suggestions, if you find this one works best for you in staying on task, we encourage you to adopt this along with your usage of the FrogHire.ai extension’s personal dashboard to track your progress and follow up.
What “3B7” Means
- 3 Business Days (Monday-Friday) after sending your initial email:
- Follow up if you have not heard back
- 7 Business Days after the original message
- Send one final follow-up—then move on if there is still no response
Why This Works
- With a set timeline, you can consistently follow up and move on as needed
- You do not appear passive or pushy
- Allows you to focus on those who are actively interested in your application, and this can inform your job search tactics
How to Apply the 3B7 Rule
- Send your initial outreach email (e.g., to request an informational interview)
- Immediately set calendar reminders for 3 and 7 days later
- On Day 3, if you have not heard back, send a polite nudge along the lines of:
- Dear [Title and Name], just wanted to follow up on my note/application from [Day]—I would love to connect when you have a moment.
- If still no response by Day 7, send one last reminder, then move on. Using FrogHire.ai extension’s personal dashboard, you can then mark off this job as non-responsive, helping you stay organized with your responsive/active applications.
This routine helps you maintain momentum in your job search without overthinking. After a final follow-up, you can then shift your focus back to your application process.
TLDR: Steve Dalton’s 3B7 Routine gives you a clear, low-stress cadence: Send initial outreach, follow up at 3 business days and a last check-in at 7 business days. No reply? Then move on. It’s a best-practice way to stay organized, respectful, and persistent during networking. Don’t forget to download the FrogHire.ai extension—it is an ideal way to search across five major job sites (using filtering options — e.g., location) while helping you stay organized with your personal dashboard. Additionally, if you seek work visa sponsorship, the FrogHire.ai extension will allow you to search for employers who are non-domestic worker friendly and have a history of sponsoring work visas.
