How to Follow Up on a Job Application

Tap to Read ➤ Tulika Nair

You have applied to your dream job but there has been no response. Following up on the application will help you learn what your chances are at getting the job. Let's see how to follow up on an application, either by calling up or by sending out an email.

The recession that hit in 2009 saw many people losing their jobs. With the market back on track to recovery, the situation is better today. While finding jobs is not as difficult as it was then, the scenario is still not that robust. One may find that the time gap for hearing from companies after interview has increased greatly. If so, what does one do?

Sending a follow-up letter after sending your resume or using a phone or the email to do so is a very important task for a job seeker. Not only does it reassure you, it also gives the recruiter the impression that you have an interest in working with them. Of course, you need to maintain a fine balance between showing active interest and seeming desperate.

Here, we will give you all the tips that you will need. The method that you use to follow up on your application largely depends on how you contacted the prospective employer initially. Depending on that, you will be expected to contact them either on the phone or by sending out an email.

By Phone

It may be advisable that you first make notes on what you want to say. Create a short conversational script that will help you be on track during the conversation. Making an outline will help you have a more fruitful conversation, without unnecessary rambling.

Before making the call, always remember to keep a copy of your resume handy to refer to it, in case any questions crop up during the conversation. While making the call, remember to make the call from a place where there are no distractions that will hinder the conversation in any way.

Never make the mistake of calling from the place where you are currently employed. Even if you have placed the call to follow up on the interview you had, be ready for a short phone interview. At the end of a conversation, always remember to thank the person you were talking to, for his time. You may want to ask about when you could expect a call from them.

If you follow these tips, then chances are that the next time you hear from them, it will be a letter of recruitment. While following up on the phone, remember to be polite. If the person you have made the call to cannot have a conversation with you at that point of time, inquire about a timing that suits them, and make the call then.

By Email

If you are unsure of whom to address the email to, send it out to the human resources manager of the company or the person in charge of hiring. If you have a personal contact at the organization, send out a copy to them, but remember to do so as a BCC.

Brevity and clarity are very important for any email and, therefore, keep it to the point. Introduce yourself in one sentence, state your interest in the position that you had applied for, and mention the qualifications that, according to you, make you the perfect candidate for the job.

Refer to a couple of examples before drafting your letter. Before sending the mail out, proofread it and check it for any spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Also check for a phone number to ensure that you can call them up as well.

It is imperative that you conduct proper follow ups without fail. Wait for at least a week before sending out the email or calling up. Now that you know the correct way to follow up on an application that you have sent out, just keep these tips in mind, and you are sure to have a positive response from prospective employers.