You’ve written the perfect resume & cover letter and submitted it the job of your dreams, but now what? You wait. And you wait some more. And you keep waiting, hoping any day now you will receive that callback, but it just doesn’t come. It makes no sense; you know you are the ideal candidate and have a lot to offer the company, so why aren’t they calling you?
The truth is companies receive hundreds of applications and it is very easy for yours to end up lost in the masses even though you were sure it was perfect. But do not fret! There is an easy fix to this problem, to ensure that your voice is heard, consider following up with the hiring manager.
A follow up is an email or phone call to connect with a hiring manager after submitting your application. Now you may be wondering, but isn’t that annoying? Won’t the hiring manager get irritated and throw my resume out? The short answer is no. Multiple surveys show that 100% of employers believe applicants should follow up one to two weeks after applying.
Below are some tips on how to follow up:
1. Wait One to Two Weeks
According to various studies, most employers say applicants should wait no more than one to two weeks after applying to follow up. This gives the employer enough time to review your resume. Any longer and you could risk losing the job to someone else.
However, it is important to check the job posting before following up. If the employer has explicitly stated that they should not be contacted or to wait for a specific deadline, you could harm your chances of getting the job.
2. Getting Contact Information
To get the hiring manager’s email or phone number, first, check the job posting to see if they have listed anything there. If not, check your connections. Do you know anyone who works in the company who can help you get in touch? You can even try connecting with the manager on LinkedIn.
If all else fails, you can always call the company’s main desk and ask them. They usually have this information available for you.
3. Email Etiquette
Be polite and humble in your email to the hiring manager. Put the title of the position you applied for and your name in the subject line. Keep the email short and sweet – Indeed, suggests not having more than three brief paragraphs.
Greet the hiring manager by name and let them know that you are following up about X position and are still very interested. Then reiterate why you would be the perfect fit for the company and close by thanking them for their time and providing your contact information should they have any other questions.
4. Phone Calls
Some employers prefer to be called because they receive hundreds of emails a day and yours can easily be lost in the midst. A phone call can solve this issue.
When calling, ask if this is a convenient time to speak with them; if not, ask them when you should call back. Keep the phone call brief and to the point, let the manager know why you are calling, explain why you would be the perfect fit and what unique skills you bring to the company. Finally, remember to thank them for their time and leave your phone number with them should they need to get in touch with you.
5. Don’t Spam
Emailing or calling every day will significantly harm your chances of landing the job. You should not follow up more than twice and always remember to be courteous and professional.
While sending a follow up does not guarantee you the job, it increases your visibility to an employer and heightens your chances. Don’t let the fear of “annoying” the employer stop you from sending that email or making the call. A simple follow up could be the difference between you and ten other identical applicants!