You scrolled through job postings and found ones that seemed like a perfect fit. You spent hours customizing your resume and cover letter for the role and doing application assignments. You may even have had a phone interview or multiple rounds of interviews and assignments. Each stage of the job search process usually has one thing in common: lots of waiting. It’s essential to know how to follow up on a job application.
It would be great if the hiring manager saw your resume and cover letter, instantly knew you were the one, and called to give you the offer…but that doesn’t happen frequently. Radio silence doesn’t mean you won’t get the job, it could mean HR waits for a certain time frame or until they have a specific number of candidates before they start the next stages or it could mean the hiring manager is swamped and hasn’t had time to look through the resumes yet or to move on to the next stage of the application process.
When you like having control, it is hard to feel like you don’t have any, but there is something you can do. You can follow up on a job application to reiterate why you are a good fit, why you want to work in the role and at the company, and that you are interested in this job…not just a paycheck and benefits. You don’t want to follow up with daily or weekly emails because it can get annoying fast, but take the initiative and follow up at these stages.
How to Follow Up After You Submit Your Application:
When you apply to jobs online, your application often goes through software called an applicant tracking system that sifts through the applications by searching for keywords related to the job description. By including some of the key skills and responsibilities from the job description in your resume, it is more likely your application will get seen by the hiring manager. Even if you customize your application, it may get lost in the shuffle.
The best way to make sure your application gets seen by a hiring manager is to have someone at the company send it to them directly. If you know someone who works at the company, let them know you applied online, attach your cover letter and resume, and ask if they will pass it along to the hiring manager if they are comfortable. If it is someone you worked with in the past, ask if they would put in a good word for you.
Not sure if you know someone at the company or know someone who does? Go to the company page on LinkedIn and search through current employees. You can click to see who went to your college or university and send a cold email. Many companies offer bonuses to employees who refer a candidate who gets selected, so it can end up being a win for them as well!
You could say something like: [Something personal and friendly if you know them well or what you have in common if you don’t, like a mutual friend or acquaintance or that you are alumni of the same university.] I applied for the [position name] and was excited to see the opening because [why]. Would you be comfortable passing my cover letter and resume along to the hiring team? Thank you!
If you don’t have any connections at the company, see if you can find the hiring manager, the person who posted the job, or the right HR contact. Let them know you applied, attach your cover letter and resume and any extra information they asked for, and thank them for their consideration.
You could say something like: I applied for the [position name] and was excited to see the opening because [why]. I have attached my resume and cover letter. Thank you for your consideration!
How to Follow Up Right After Your Interview:
Write a thank you email the same day as your interview. It is polite and is another opportunity to reiterate why you are interested in the company and the position and why you’d be a great fit for the role. If you interviewed with multiple people, send an individual email to each person and customize it based on what you talked about in that conversation. You can follow up with a handwritten note, but make sure to send the email first because it will take time for the handwritten note to land on their desk.
You could say something like: Thank you so much for interviewing me for the [title] at [company name]. I enjoyed learning more about the role, team, company culture, and your career path at [company name]. I think I have the [three most important skills] skills to be successful.
How to Follow Up When You’re Waiting to Hear Back:
During your interview, you should always ask about the next steps and the hiring timeline for the role. If the interviewer says they hope to contact people for the next round in two weeks, reach out then.
You could say something like: Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me [two weeks ago, earlier this month, etc.] I enjoyed learning more about [the company] and [the position] and remain excited about the opportunity to join the team. Given my experience with [your skills that would be relevant to the job,] I will be able to contribute right away. Do you have any updates on the role or the hiring timeline? Thank you again!
How to Follow Up Strategically:
Follow up if something in your application has changed, something exciting has happened for the company, or if you’ve received another job offer. If you won an award, took a certification class, or have some other exciting update, let them know. If something exciting has happened for the company like they just got another round of funding or they won an award, send a quick congratulations to stay top-of-mind.
If you’ve received another job offer, but you’d prefer to work for the company you are waiting to hear back from, you can be honest and tell them. If they want you, it will speed up the process. If they don’t get back to you or they can’t indicate when they’ll make a decision, at least you’ll have enough info to know if you should take the other offer.
You could say something like: Since we last spoke, I received an offer from another company but working at [company name] is my first choice because [tell them why and reiterate what you can do for them]. Do you have any updates on the role or the hiring timeline? Thank you again!
How to Follow Up on a Job Application When You Get the Job:
If you get the job, follow up with anyone who helped you get it. When I recommend someone, I love knowing they got the job! Some people even follow up months into the job to say they love it and thank you and it makes me so happy every time.
You could say something like: [Something personal if you know them well.] Thank you again for [being a reference and sending my resume to the hiring manager]. I got the job! I am so grateful for all of your help!
