So, you’ve applied to a job. Actually, you’ve applied to everything slightly relevant that LinkedIn has to offer. You’ve taken the big leap. You’ve perfected your resume, reworked your cover letter…now what? Now, my friend, is the hell that is the waiting game.
Job hunting has become a lot like online dating. There’s no personal contact to it. You send off your resume into the great unknown. Don’t get me wrong, online jobs boards are great. They provide an ease to the search and a way to quickly scan your choices and filter your options.
But doesn’t it kinda feel like you were stood up for a date and you’re just waiting by the phone now?
You’re annoyed. You start to wonder if these people actually want to hire anyone. They seem to be taking their sweet time with responding. As soon as you click “submit” the process is out of your hands. Or is it?
Following up is a much debated topic among job seekers. Of course, we all know it’s polite to follow up with a ‘thank you’ after being invited in to interview. But what if you just submitted a resume? Is there a proper way to check in?
Apparently, there is. Here are a few tips on how to successfully navigate the follow up:
1. Don’t do it right away. I know that you probably feel anxious immediately after sending your resume, but wait it out a few weeks. Let’s say, at least two. Applying for a job is time consuming, but so is selecting a candidate. The person you applied to might have more on his/her plate than just looking through applications. You don’t want to come off like you’re rushing the person. No one wants to work with an annoying eager beaver.
2. Don’t call unless the number is given. Worse than looking like an eager beaver is looking like an eager beaver who is a bit creepy. No one will hire a stalker. Don’t seek out a number unless it is expressly given. Calling comes across as invasive. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
3. Inquire as to the status with a short email. There are many employers and recruiters who recommend a follow up as a way to stand out among the competition. It’s a good opportunity to reintroduce yourself apart from just your application. Keep it short and to the point.
4. Try to set up an interview or further communication. In your email, you can ask if there is a time that you could sit down to discuss the position in person, or if it would be OK to reach out to them again.
5. Don’t overkill. If they say no to any of the above, or if they don’t reply to your follow up, don’t keep at it. There is a time and a place to throw in the towel and this is it. But don’t worry. There are plenty of other fish in the sea.
Happy hunting!
xo The Capitalista
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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.