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When and how to follow-up on your job application
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It’s no secret how competitive the market is – for both internships and entry-level jobs. So, you’re going to have to show hiring managers you really want the position – without going over the edge, of course.
“I'm such a big advocate for people going ‘beyond the norm’ when looking for a job,” said Louise Fletcher, president of Blue Sky Resumes. “Back when I worked in HR, I'd try to get people to follow the rules of course because that made my life easier – but the job seeker's job isn't to make HR's life easier! The really need to hustle.”
But, when is it appropriate to follow-up, and how do you go about doing it?
1. Include your intent to follow-up in your cover letter. In your final paragraph, include a sentence indicating you will follow-up in one week if you have not heard from the hiring manager by that time. And, make sure you do!
2. Find an insider. “First, ask everyone you know if they know anyone at the company. If not, go online. Search your network on LinkedIn. Don’t see anyone? Search the whole of LinkedIn looking for people who work at that company. Look for people who are second degree contacts – meaning they know someone you know – and then ask your friend for an introduction. Be honest about why you want the introduction – it’s important that the company employee accepts your request knowing what he or she is getting into, because this means they will be far more likely to help you,” said Fletcher in a January 30 blog post.
“Can’t find anyone on LinkedIn? Do Internet searches looking for blogs written by people at that company,” she continued. “If you find them, make contact with the blogger. Read back through their posts, and then send a nice note complimenting or discussing what they have written. If they write back, you can casually ask, ‘Hey, what’s it like to work there? I saw a vacancy advertised and wasn’t sure if I should apply.’ It might not work, but it might just get you an introduction.”
3. Express your interest and highlight your qualifications. “I often wonder why more people don’t follow up after sending a job application. It’s the mark of a true professional. A great follow-up can really make a difference,” said Barry Lawrence, public relations director and career expert at JobFox. “Job candidates should mention the position they are interested in and the qualities they possess that make them suitable for the job. Of course, thank the contact for considering you as a candidate for the job, and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with the company. Keep the note to a maximum of four sentences. And, always double-check for spelling and grammar errors.”
Fletcher adds, “If you can’t find e-mail addresses or you prefer the phone, try calling the company and sweet-talking the receptionist into telling you who the hiring manager is. You may even get through to talk to him.”
4. Share a bit of news. “Candidates should continue to do more research on the organization or the industry. They may find some interesting news that they can discuss during the follow-up. They may find an article that might be if interest to the hiring manager,” said Louis Lamorte, director of career services at La Salle University.
5. Move on, but don’t give up. “If you do not hear anything from the company after your follow-up e-mail or phone call, continue with your job search, but do not give up hope. By contacting them repeatedly, you risk burning a bridge either during the process or later on,” said Dr. Patrick Madsen, director of professional career services at The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
Christine Bolzan, founder of Graduate Career Coaching, adds, “It is possible to go too far with regards to persistent follow-up with a hiring manager. In my former position managing internship and entry-level recruiting for a Wall Street firm, I came across candidates I would categorize as stalkers – candidates who would wait for me at my subway stop or apartment building, candidates who sent videos of themselves, flowers and even once, perfume. Persistence is good, but keep it professional.”
Join me and J.T. O'Donnell, a caeer coach, workplace consultant and founder of Careerealism, for a free, live, online chat about crafting winning cover letter and résumés for internship and entry-level job candidates. The chat will begin at 4 p.m. EST / 1 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Click here to register.
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