4 Tips for Making the Most of Your Follow-up After Applying for a Job
Congratulations, you’ve applied for your dream job! Now comes the hard part—waiting. It can be frustrating to wait to hear back from employers after applying for a job, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting that call or email. Here are four tips to help you maximize your follow-up efforts after applying for a job.
Tip #1: Follow-Up Quickly, But Not Too Quickly
It’s important to remember that employers are busy and may not have the time to respond right away. However, it’s also important to make sure they know you are still interested and eager for the position. The best way to do this is by sending a follow-up email within two weeks of submitting your application. This gives them enough time to review your application without feeling like you’re being overly pushy or impatient.
Tip #2: Keep It Short and Sweet
Remember, employers have a lot of applications to go through and don’t have time for long emails. A good rule of thumb is to keep it under 250 words—any longer than that and it could start to seem overwhelming or unprofessional. Make sure your message is clear and concise so they know what you want in just a few sentences.
Tip #3: Personalize Your Message
This one might take some extra effort, but personalizing your message can be key when trying to stand out from other applicants. Take some time before writing your follow-up email and research the company you applied at—are there any projects or initiatives they are working on? If so, mention them in your email as another way to show that you did your homework and understand their business goals.
Tip #4: Don't Give Up!
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away (or ever). Sometimes companies receive more applications than expected or have unforeseen delays in their hiring process—it doesn’t mean that they aren’t interested in hiring you! Consider sending another follow-up email after about four weeks if you haven’t heard anything yet; this shows that you haven't given up hope on the position and remain interested in hearing back from them.
At the end of the day, following up after submitting an application is an important step in making sure employers know how interested and enthusiastic you are about working with them. Keep these tips in mind when crafting your next follow-up message—they may make all the difference when it comes time for employers to make their decision! Good luck!