The entire process of right from framing up of your resume to getting a final call from your employer that you have cracked the interview is sure to give jitters to many.
The fact whether an individual will get the job or not is determined by how efficiently the process from submission of job application to follow-up is carried out.
Basically it is this period whereby the actual execution of task takes place. It is a common practice on part of an individual to carry on with indefinite wait for call from a company.
However, this is the right time to start planning for follow-up of your job application. Following are some tips that may serve as guidelines for your job hunt process.
How to Follow Up on a Job Application?
1. Importance:
Follow-up is a process of communicating with company to inquire about your job application status.
Follow-up when done confidently can give you surprising results as among hundreds of applications there is always a possibility of your application being missed, under such circumstances follow-up acts as a remainder for the company.
However it is very important that your follow-up gives clear message and reflects upon your enthusiasm and interest to work with the company.
2. Time:
No matter how busy you are, always take out some time for follow-up. Generally you wait for ten days or so for company to inform you but if it is taking longer than this, then you surely need to go for a follow-up.
3. Second chance:
Generally a candidate thinks that he just has one chance to crack that interview. However follow-up is indirectly a second chance that a candidate gets.
Follow-up doesn’t reflect on your desperation to get a job, instead when done correctly it portrays how much you are interested and willing to work with company.
Thus, sometimes this second chance might bring the ball in your court.
4. Ask away:
Many-a-times a candidate prefers to stay quiet instead of asking by the fear of thinking what will they say or what if I am rejected?
It is during this time whereby instead of staying in dilemma whether to ask or not, it’s always better to ask, as until and unless you ask you won’t get what you want.
5. Personality:
If you are an extrovert, then make use of your skills and personally visit the company to check up with your job application status.
Although it is time consuming but it might work in your favour. If you are an introvert you always have various means of communication at your disposal to use.
6. Use of emails:
If you have watertight schedule and it’s difficult for you to personally go for follow-up, you can go for email.
The email sent should be properly scripted, written formally and precisely with keywords mentioned in it.
Don’t forget to mention the subject, as your mail might be ignored and be sure you have done spell check and proof read it.
If needed go for three paragraph rule while drafting your email. In first paragraph express your gratitude for the time given to you, next paragraph include your strengths and third paragraph can be information about you that was left out during interview.
7. Stay organised:
If you have applied for multiple jobs it is better to maintain a job log whereby you mentioned all your details of job applications and follow-ups as well.
Also while opting for phone call, it is advisable to list down the points you want to ask, to ensure that you don’t miss out on any during phone call. It’s always good to stay organised when it comes to follow-up.
8. Use of phone:
The problem of email is that you are not aware how much time will it take for a company to answer your mail.
Thus it is better to go for a phone call; it ensures that, then and there you get to know the status of your job application.
While making a phone call ensures that there are no distractions around and you have your resume with you in case there is any need to refer to it.
9. Prepare yourself:
Stay calm and be confident when you go for follow-up. If you are nervous as to what to ask or how to approach your company for follow-up process, practice it in front of mirror and prepare yourself well before in advance for it.
10. Use your opportunity:
Use follow-up to your best ability by highlighting your USP, things that could help you stand out from others.
If you have recently being awarded or achieved anything that could add up to your job application, don’t forget to mention it in your follow-up.
11. Being professional:
If you have made an online job application and are going for online follow-up, consider sending online application with a cover letter and resume to your company via postal mail.
This will help you to stand out among all because very few candidates would go for sending the hard copy too. Keep your follow-up brief, precise and professional.
12. Communicate with your hiring manager:
When you go for follow-up try to establish a network with your hiring manager. Instead of asking whether he has received your online job application or other details instead use the opportunity by reflecting on your enthusiasm and willingness to work with their company.
At the end of conversation, don’t forget to thank your hiring manager for his time.
13. Be patient:
Since companies get many job applications it takes time for the process of finalising with the candidates. Have patience and wait for a week’s timing to start with follow -up.
Meanwhile you can use this week’s time productively by framing up with your follow-up procedure.
14. Be persistent:
If you are not able to get details about your job application through emails, try to connect with real person in charge of hiring process.
However don’t try to bug them or call them more than three times a day, it spoils your image in front of company.
If the process is taking time, then be polite and don’t remove your frustration on the hiring staff. Be persistent and polite with them yet be smart enough to know when to give up. Don’t overdo things.
15. Read company rules:
Be sure that you have read all company policies regarding hiring process. Ensure that you have read the manual for hiring and are following it up.
If its mentioned not to contact or call hiring manager then you are not supposed to contact him, instead search for other alternatives for follow-up.
16. Emphasizing on key message:
If you fail to mention why you are the right person for the job, then follow-up is the opportunity you can use it to best now.
Don’t forget to emphasize why you are the right person for the job to your hiring manager as it may help to increase your credibility.
17. Formal code:
Always emphasize on positive points during your interview as well as during your follow-up process.
Negativity, Informal language, using of short forms, spell checks and grammatical errors should all be avoided. These things should not be ignored, as they are important.
18. Don’t be afraid:
Follow-up is not a difficult process, if done properly, it might make your way in your dream company. However don’t be afraid to go for follow-up.
Somehow it’s better to know whether you have cracked it or not. If yes then it’s time to celebrate, if no then you continue with your job hunt.
19. Be positive:
Learn to accept your rejection in a positive way. If you get to know that during follow-up you are rejected then don’t hesitate to ask the reason for the same.
This will help you to improve your performance and next time you might be able to crack that job.
20. Know your company senior’s name:
Be double sure that all the written follow-ups that you have sent have correct name, address and email-id of the company.
Similarly while going for on call follow-up ensure that you pronounce your senior’s name properly.
Take out sometime to send handwritten thank you note to company, as all these simple things go long way in creating your image.
These are not the concrete rules to help you achieve your job. In ever changing business world, you will have to adapt to the changes. The more dynamic you are the better opportunities come your way.
However these tips might prove to be useful for you at several occasions. Every company gets several join applications; the question is how do you stand out from this herd?
The quality of standing out will ultimately increase your chances of getting selected. By going for effective usage of follow-up tips, you bring it to notice of company of how important the company is for you.
To sum it up, keep calm and let follow-up with effective techniques mentioned above, be your mantra. All the best!
