When competition for a job cranks up, standing out from the rest can be a challenge. What can you do to ensure that your resume lands right into the hands of the recruiter? Hiring managers are generally processing through a flood of resumes to find the right candidate.
A job application follow up can be a valuable tool that not many applicants use. If done right, it can build contact and possibly land the job or it could end up costing you. Here is how sensitively craft a follow up communication without sounding too pushy.
When to follow up
Follow up is like travelling to an unknown territory.It can be awkward and demanding. You don't want to risk being aggressive but you still want to reinforce your enthusiasm over the position.
Research says that some recruiters find job applicants “needy” if they see the same name twice in their inbox within a week’s time of applying. They might not want such a candidate. So an ideal follow up would be one that states your existing interest over the position, reminds them of your core skills and does it all at the right time.
First, make sure that the job ad does not say anything about not contacting the employer. If it does and you follow up, it will do more harm than good.
After a week to before two weeks sounds like a good time when most recruiters start to settle with their applications, according to research. Time your follow up during business hours and preferably in the afternoons to allow people to attend to other important activities first.
How to follow up
There are several ways to get in touch with your dream company but choosing the right medium makes a lot of difference. Not to mention, choosing the right person to get in touch with is also significant.
Website
Before you open your email, glance at the company website and social media platforms to check if an important announcement about the job already exists. This can not only save you time but also save you the embarrassment of not knowing basic communication that everyone else might already have.Next, search for a list of employee names and see if you can find your recruitment manager and their email.
Your job application follow up email should highlight the position you are waiting to hear back for, your existing interest in the job and your skills to support its responsibilities. Keep it cordial, professional and about a maximum 2min read.
Phone call
You’ ll have to work carefully around phone calls to see if the company entertains them. It shouldn't look like an attempt to disrupt ongoing workflow. If you are making a call, ensure you got the right person to talk to get an idea of what you are going to say or follow a carefully written job application follow up call script. It is best to keep the conversation polite, effective and short. A phone call works when you have spent at least a week after follow up and did not receive a response. However calls these days are generally restricted to very important messages since all other communications vastly happen digitally and especially so over the tech landscape.
What to say when you follow up
Whatever way you choose to follow up, here are some helpful guidelines that you can follow:
- Start with an inviting subject/introduction like "Looking forward to the opportunity of (position)".
- End your message by thanking the manager/recruiter for their time and consideration
Following up means that you are proactive about the job so highlight what skills could help you take on the expected responsibilities.
Do not mention any expectation of an interview, just your interest in the position. If you have not gotten any response after follow ups for three weeks or more, it might be best to move on and continue your job search.
Conclusion
As any competitive tech position might get dozens of apps it would be wasteful to think that dropping a resume ensures that the recruiter will see it.That in itself reinstates the value of proactively following up on a job application and even more essential that it is done right.