# Recommand Follow-up Strategy

## Email Analysis

**Sent:** June 17, 2026
**Today:** July 14, 2026 (almost 4 weeks)
**Status:** No response

### What Worked in Your Email
- Dutch language = good for Belgian company
- Mentioned specific tech stack (Bun, Hono, React 19, PostgreSQL)
- Showed real project (morning briefing bot)
- Mentioned Corda Campus / hybrid availability
- Clear call to action (langskomen)

### Possible Reasons for No Response
1. **They're swamped** — small startup, hiring takes time
2. **Vacature filled internally** — happened before you applied
3. **Email lost** — went to wrong person or spam
4. **They're slow** — Belgian companies can take 2-4 weeks to respond
5. **Your email was good but not urgent** — they put it in "maybe later" pile

---

## 🎯 Follow-up Plan

### Step 1: Send a Polite Follow-up Email (This Week)

**Subject:** Vervolg op sollicitatie Junior Software Engineer — Sage Stockmans

```
Hallo team van Recommand,

Eind vorige maand stuurde ik mijn sollicitatie voor de functie van Junior Software Engineer. Ik begrijp dat jullie het druk hebben, maar ik wilde even polsen of mijn e-mail goed is aangekomen.

Ik blijf erg geinteresseerd in de rol en in Recommand's missie rond open-source bedrijfsautomatisering. Mocht er nog ruimte zijn in het proces, zou ik graag een keer langskomen op Corda Campus voor een kennismaking.

Ik hoor het graag!

Vriendelijke groeten,
Sage Stockmans
Portfolio | LinkedIn
+32 460 94 85 75
```

**Why this works:**
- Short and respectful
- Acknowledges they might be busy
- Reaffirms interest without being pushy
- New call to action (visit Corda Campus)

---

### Step 2: LinkedIn Outreach (Same Week)

Find Recommand team members on LinkedIn:
- Search: "Recommand" + "Corda Campus" + "Hasselt"
- Look for: CTO, Tech Lead, Founders
- Send a short connection request + message

**LinkedIn Message Template:**
```
Hi [Name],

I applied for the Junior Software Engineer role at Recommand a few weeks ago and wanted to reach out directly. I'm really excited about your mission around open-source Peppol infrastructure and AI-assisted development.

I'd love to learn more about the team and potentially swing by Corda Campus for a chat. Would you be open to a brief call or coffee?

Best,
Sage
```

---

### Step 3: Physical Visit (If No Response in 1 Week)

**This is your secret weapon.** Recommand is AT Corda Campus. You can literally walk in.

- Go to Corda Campus in Hasselt
- Ask at reception for Recommand
- Say you're a junior developer who applied and wanted to introduce yourself
- Bring a printed CV and a USB with your portfolio

**Why this works:**
- Shows initiative
- Hard to ignore someone who shows up
- Startups appreciate hustle
- Belgian business culture respects directness

---

### Step 4: Alternative Contact Methods

If email + LinkedIn + visit don't work:
- Check if Recommand has a Discord / Slack / community channel
- Look for team members on GitHub (they're open source!)
- Comment on their GitHub repos with genuine contributions
- Attend a Corda Campus event where they might present

---

## 📄 Want Me To Help?

I can:
1. **Draft the follow-up email** in your casual/nerdy tone (in Dutch or English)
2. **Find Recommand team members on LinkedIn** (names + roles)
3. **Create a "drop-in visit" script** for Corda Campus
4. **Set a reminder** to follow up again in 1 week if no response

What would you like me to do? 🚀