5 Quick Tips to Follow Up on Your Application

The question on every job seeker’s mind. When do I follow up?

This day in age, applying for a job can be very daunting as someone submits their resume to a job online and it goes into the black abyss. Maybe you get a confirmation email, maybe not, but then what? Time ticks slowly and it may be days or weeks before you hear anything, if anything at all.

A critical step in one’s job search is following up. A call to the hiring manager can bring your name and resume to the top and separate you from hundreds of other applicants.

So, what is the proper protocol for a follow-up? As a veteran recruiter I have a few tips to offer.  You may want to follow these simple steps.

1) Use your network/connections.

• Do you know someone internally who can put in a good word to the hiring manager

2) Get the hiring manager/recruiter’s contact details.
3) Send an email directly to recruiter/hiring manager
4) Make a follow-up phone call.

• Keyword here is a. Don’t get creepy or annoying. Checking in every day is unprofessional and frustrating.
• Try early or late in the day because people are less likely to be in meetings then.
• If you reach the hiring manager/recruiter, be brief and to the point.

5) Follow-up if it has been more than 2 weeks.

But, what if I am working with a Recruiter/Staffing Agency and want to check in on the status of my resume, interviews, open jobs you say?  Yolanda Owens, author and recruiting specialist, says it best.

Following these steps and guidelines should help you feel a little more at ease in the job search process.  Good luck and stay positive!

 

 

 

 

 

Whitney Saylor, Managing Director – Administrative and Accounting Divisions