Following up means collecting/getting further information about the previous task. For example; a news reporter gave a second story which is the conclusion of the first one, then, the second piece will be a follow-up to the first.
Similarly! When we send job applications to employers and they take time to respond, we send a follow-up to remind them and to know the status of our application. In this article you will learn about:-
- What are the different ways to follow up a job application?
- Can follow-up email after a job application go against us?
- Till when to wait to send a follow-up email after a job application?
- How can you follow-up after sending the job application?
So without further ado, let’s jump right ahead into the article.
What are the ways to follow-up after a job application?
There are mainly three ways through which you can follow-up on your application status that is; e-mail, phone call, and letter.
Writing a letter is a great and professional way to ping the employer but it is time consuming.
Now, we are left with two options, phone call and e-mail. Making direct phone calls may make us look desperate and can go against us. Hence, emails are usually much preferred as they are a professional way to keep a follow-up on the status of the job application.
Can follow-up email after a job application go against us?
While we are following up on our job applications, we are walking on very thin ice.
No matter how professionally or systematically we slide, we are about to ask a rather annoying question to the employer; “When will you make up your mind?”
You never want to look too pushy or desperate for a job but not following up means another candidate can swipe your chance.
Fortunately, playing the right and safe game can get the ball on your court. With this article, you will get the safest ways to send follow-up emails, which may boost your chances of hiring.
Tip~ Remember jobs are all about your perfect CV and a great interview, if the hiring manager does not want to work with you, you will not get the job. Following up with endless emails will not make it up to you.
Till when to wait?
After sending the application we are usually left with two options, either to wait or to send follow-ups.
Till when to wait to send a follow-up email after a job application is the first question that arises after waiting for a while.
You can wait for about a week or two after sending the job application, then you can follow up with an email.
Another follow-up; If another week has passed after your follow-up, you can send one more email and if you are in a rush then you can call to take follow-up on your application. There is a possibility that they are busy and have not read your follow-up email.
How can you follow-up after sending the job application?
The follow-up process may seem awkward but it’s totally fine to get a timeline of your joining, this way you can decide whether you should hang on or should move on. Here are a set of steps that you should follow after sending your job application:-
a. By using your connections:
You can contact people if you know anyone from the organization and can ask them to inform the hiring manager regarding your application. Else you can also request if they can put you in touch with someone who is in charge of the hiring process.
b. Collect the contact information of the hiring manager:
You can check the contact information section in the job offer if they have provided the hiring manager’s details or you can check the company’s website.
If you still find nothing, then you can simply call the company’s main desk, and can ask them to provide the professional details of the hiring manager.
c. Writing follow-up email to the hiring manager:
After you get the details of the hiring manager, you can send a proper formal mail directly to the hiring manager, asking about the status of your application and the expected timeline for your joining, if you are selected.
Keeping these points in mind;
- Use a clear subject line, in the subject section of your email.
- Don’t let your frustrations come out in your writing. Be polite with your words.
- Mention your interest in the job and state why you are the perfect fit.
- Keep it short and to the point.
Here’s a sample follow-up email after a job application;
Subject: To Follow-Up on [Position] job Application
Hello! [Name of the Hiring Manager],
Hope everything is well. I can understand you must be busy, but I recently applied for the [position] position and wanted to know your decision timeline. I am eagerly looking forward to joining [company’s name] and helping [Detail anything in 1 to 2 line according to the position you are applying for] with your team.
Please let me know if I need to provide any additional information as you move onto the next level in the hiring process.
Looking forward to hear from you,
[Mention your Full Name]
d. Refollow-up:
If even after the follow-up email you do not get any response, then you can send another email or you can directly call the hiring manager.
Make a phone call, and;
- Ask if it is a convenient time to talk, if not ask when you can call them back.
- Then make a call and be humble while talking on the phone.
- Be formal with your language, and professional with your words.
Conclusion:
It is important to send a follow-up email after a job application because it somehow shows your eagerness to join the team and your dedication to work.
But before you take this step of follow-up, it is highly recommended to re-read the whole offer letter. Sometimes the offer letter explicitly mentions the deadline for your application reviewing or approval. In such a case rushing into anything will decrease your chances of hiring.
