How to Follow Up On a Job Application

How to Follow Up On a Job Application How to Follow Up On a Job Application How to Follow Up On a Job ApplicationJob seekers often make one fatal mistake in their job hunt they forget to follow up on their job applications. But by not following up on them,you mightmiss out on a great opportunity When to follow up on a job applicationJust because you havent heard back doesnt mean you arent right for the job. Perhaps the hiring manageris inundated with resumes, or maybe they just forgot.If it has been a week or more since you sent an application and youve yet to hear back, consider getting in touch.Table of ContentsFollow upby emailFree email sampleFollow up over the phoneOnce you get this anxious about hearing back from a company, call or send an email.How to follow up on a job applicationThe question remains should you email or should you call? This is a difficult choice because different hiring managers might have different expectations, companies might have different cultures, or y our personality might not suit one of these choices.The decision is yours, so here is how to do both.Writing anemailhas some clear benefits as well as drawbacksProsConsEasiest of all the options (as youve probably emailed the company before anyway)Can look like you arent putting forward as much effort as you couldQuickest to write and fastest way of getting in touch with an interviewerMay look informal to some interviewers or hiring managersMost reliable way to make sure your follow up is seenEasy to overlook mistakes and send without revising completelySample Email and Writing GuideEmail Addresshiringmanagerresumegenius.comSubject Line Pauline Delaney Just checking on my application 1/21/2018Dear Mr. Johnson,I am just writing to ascertain the status of the application I filed with ResumeGenius.com on January 14, 2018. Your job posting directed me to send it to this email address, so I wanted to ensure that it hadnt ended up in your spam inbox by mistake.On the job posting, your co mpany listed a need for skills ranging from strong communication and writing to developing a strong network of industry contacts. These are just a few of the relevant skills Ive developed in my years as a writer and career advisor, and I feel Id be a wonderful fit for the position.My experience as a hiring manager at Resume Companionhas equipped me with great insight into not only how potential employees should approach the job search, but also what HR specialists are looking for. During my time at Resume Companion, I received 750+ resumesandconducted over 60 interviews. This high volume of exposure to applicants taught me the difference between prepared and competent candidates versus those who werent as strong.I am familiar and comfortable with much of what yourresume writing guidealready outlines. Indeed, I was instrumental in puttingResume Companions writing guide together, covering much of the same content.I very much look forward to hearing back from youat your earliest conven ience. I am positive I would be a great addition to your team and am excited at the prospect of joining you. Thank you again for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Pauline DelaneyHow to write your own emailSubject lineBe sure this is snappy and attention grabbing but also professional and related to your message.Re-introductionRe-introduce yourself and inquire about your application status.Summary of key points of cover letter and job postingRehash some of the info youve sent before. Remember to specify why youre the best fit.Polite conclusion expecting to hear backAsk them to write back, even if they decide not to invite you to an interview. That way you can cross their company off the list and move on to the next in earnest.Also rememberKeep your font to no larger than 12 point and no smaller than 10 point.Use a professional font, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana. Comic Sans is forbiddenAvoid anything besides black text emojis, florescent colors, highlighting, and all caps are tackyBrevity is fine, but you should write more than one or two linesPhone CallMaking a phone call is a little more assertive, but that isnt necessarily a bad thing. Here are a few pros and cons of making a phone callProsConsInterviewer can hear your voiceCan be kind of awkwardComes across as direct and confidentInterviewer might not be availableShows effortIf not available, difficult to know when and if to call backRememberIf you can, ask for the hiring manager by name. Do your research. If you dont have their name, ask for the hiring manager.Be friendly.Identify yourself straight away. State your name and then your purpose (in this case, calling to check on an application).Avoid word vomit. Youll likely be anxious and get a bit tongue-tied. But, be measured, wait for them to finish speaking, and dont hog the conversation.Call at convenient times. Morning or mid-afternoon are best. Dont call at 459 p.m.If it helps, prepare a script. But, avoid reading directly from it. Th ink of it as notes.If the hiring manager or interviewer isnt available, leave a message and dont call back for at least a day or two.Not what youre looking for? TryThank You Letter After an InterviewHow to Decline a Job OfferFollow Up After an Interview