A set of six rubber stamps for the full arc of a follow-up. It runs from "sent, awaiting reply" through "second attempt, friendly tone" to "marked as interested on a Tuesday, silent since." Each is inked in a different shade of optimism. The sixth one is blank, because by then there is nothing left to stamp and you both know it.
Date each impression. Build the timeline. Show it to no one.
Part of The Screening Essentials, for when the wrong candidates apply.