So you submitted your resume, now what? Good follow up skills are just as important as having a great resume and cover letter and an integral part of scoring an interview. Instead of twiddling your thumbs waiting for their response, here’s what you can do to follow up your job application!
Tips on How to Follow up on Your Job Application
Did you know you’re expected to follow up after a job interview. However, aside from the common interview tips preparing for before, during, and after the interview, here’s a detailed action plan on how to follow up.
Do your research
Try your best to find out the name of the hiring manager. If you can address your resume and cover letter to that person, you could have a greater chance of your resume not getting lost in the shuffle. If the help wanted ad didn’t specify, check out the company’s website and try to get the name and email of the person who heads up the department to which you are applying. This will also let you know who to follow up with after you’ve submitted your resume.
Follow up via email
If you don’t have the email address, then go ahead and make a single phone call about a week after you have submitted your resume. Inquire about the status of your application and when the company expects to select qualified applicants for interviews. Be polite and thank the person you speak to for their time. (Yes, this may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people call to check the status of their application and have a less-than-enthusiastic tone or are borderline rude).
Create an Interview Follow Up “Thank You” letter
This is perfectly acceptable to send via email. Very few people take this important extra step. Most hiring managers appreciate the power of follow up, especially if it’s done right. For instance, an HR Manager gathered over sixty people originally to apply for a job. Only four got interviews and only two of those four got second interviews. After a few weeks, the said manager chose the applicant who sent the follow up “thank you” email. There is a fine line between good follow up and being an annoyance.
Read the help wanted ad and adhere to the application directions
Many hiring managers request “no phone calls please.” If so, don’t call daily to check the status of your resume. However, you could show your interest and zeal for the company and the job if you follow up once in a while, and in a courteous manner.
Here’s another scenario: imagine yourself as a jobseeker who really wanted an accounting job with a specific company. You emailed about bi-monthly to check in and express continued interest for several months. The hiring manager admire your zeal to get into the company and expressed this to the accounting department head. As a result, you got the job for the next opening in the accounting department, and it’s because of good follow up.
Bottom line: Address your resume to the hiring manager if at all possible. Follow up via email about a week after you’ve submitted it. When you score an interview, send a thank you email 1-2 days later and finally, adhere to the application instructions.
Now you know its importance in your job search, go ahead and start following up!
Image Source: William Krause of Unsplash
Related Articles:
10 Intelligent Tips for Job Interview That’ll Help You Get Hired
5 Effective Job Search Hacks to End Your Endless Job-Hunt
