You’ve successfully applied for a job. That’s great, but now what? To increase your chances of getting hired, follow up with the hiring manager. Here are some tips on when and how to do this.
Wait About a Week
Timing is crucial here. You’ll want to give the recruiter enough time to review your application and sort through the pool of candidates, but you don’t want to wait so long they forget about you. One week tends to be a sweet spot because you should still be fresh in their mind but shouldn’t come across as being annoying or desperate.
Remind Them You Applied
Once enough time has passed, contact the hiring manager—email or phone is usually best. You may need to perform a bit of research to find this information, but a quick Google search should supply you with it. At this point, you’ll want to remind them you applied.
Show Interest in the Position
So, what exactly do you say? Career expert Alison Green offers a nice example in U.S News.
“I submitted my application for your __ position last week, and I just wanted to make sure my materials were received. I also want to reiterate my interest in the position; I think it might be a great match, and I’d love to talk with you about it when you’re ready to begin scheduling interviews.”
The key is to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm but not be obtrusive about it.
Discuss Why You’re a Good Fit
Your other goal is to grab the attention of the hiring manager and distinguish yourself from the rest of the candidates. The best way to do this is to briefly explain what you bring to the table and why your skill set is a natural fit for the position. Touch on things like previous experience, qualifications, certifications, education, etc. As long as it’s relevant and piques their interest, it should work to your advantage.
Applying for a job is only part of it. You’ll also need to follow up by touching base with the recruiter and reminding them you’re interested. Using these techniques should help you with both the timing and execution and, hopefully, position you as a frontrunner for the job.
Frustrated with your job search? Contact Encadria Staffing Solutions to see how we can help.