Job hunting can often be tiresome, frustrating and discouraging—especially when you’re looking for not just any job, but one you can make a career out of. You’ve reached out to a recruiter, you’ve perused the job boards and you’ve sent out your resume more times than you can remember. But what do you do when you’ve found what seems to be the job? You know, the one that has everything you’ve been looking for, whether it’s challenging work, a laid-back environment, great benefits or unlimited kombucha and lunchtime ping pong tournaments. One of the most important things you can do after submitting an application is follow up. Curious to know how to follow up on a job application? Read on!
Why Follow Up?
Following up shows your prospective employer that you are actually interested in the position. Hiring managers see many applications every day, hundreds if it’s a larger company. Many of those applicants are just looking for a job, any job. Prove that you’re different by reaching out to confirm your interest. It’s usually not a bad idea to make yourself stand out a bit, especially if you don’t have the background they’re looking for.
When to Follow Up
First, check the job posting and any correspondence you’ve had with the hiring manager. If you ask about your status after a week and the last e-mail you received clearly stated that you’d hear back within two weeks, that “attention to detail” line on your resume won’t be nearly as believable.
If you have no information on what to expect, wait at least a week to follow up. They’ll need time to weed through all those applications and narrow down the candidate pool. Any sooner and you might seem a bit impatient.
How to Follow Up
Following up isn’t helpful if it doesn’t push you in the direction of landing the interview. So, make it worth the effort. Don’t be pushy or demanding. Don’t ask if they received your resume. They did.
Do reiterate what you can bring to the organization. Convey your enthusiasm for the position and the value you can bring. Back it up with examples. If you don’t have the experience they’re looking for, highlight the experience and skills you do have, and how they’ll help you succeed in the role. Be concise, polite and professional.
Following up is integral to a job application and, if done correctly, it can help you to land the interview. If you need help making the next step in your career, reach out to the experts at TalentBridge today!