Follow Up
Once you’ve turned in the application packet that I explained in Part 3, you are playing the waiting game. Don’t be like so many of my students who turn in an application and then never do anything else with that company. They tell me, “I’ve applied EVERYWHERE and no one has called me!” When I ask if they’ve followed up after submitting the application, they say “No” and look at me as if I’m from outer space.
Follow up is the important next step in the application process. If you will remember from other posts, I have explained that when a position is posted, the company usually receives a huge stack of applications. Yours is probably competing with 50-100 other people just for consideration. Not for an interview, but just to be looked at!
The first thing to do is to turn in an application packet, not just an application. For more on this, see Job Search Basics – Part 2. Once you have turned in that packet, though, you are not done. You need to follow up with the company. Two days after you have filled out the application, call and inquire. Ask to speak to the human resources department or, even better, to a specific person if you have their name. When you get to the right people, identify yourself by your full name and ask if they have had time to consider your application. If they have not, ask when they will be reviewing the applications. Also, regardless of their answer about your application, ask if you can come in for an interview. Even if the answer to all of your questions is “no”, you still have accomplished something. The person now knows your name. Also, they may sort through the pile of applications and find yours. That gives you a huge advantage.
Another benefit to this kind of follow up is that you have a few minutes to do a mini-interview. Don’t take much of the person’s time, but have a few sentences ready about your skills and why you want to work for that company. You don’t have to tell everything that’s on your resume, but just highlight some of the best points. This gives the interviewer an idea of who you are and why you’re calling.
Now, if you did not get an interview with that first call, then you are not done. Give them a few more days and call back. Try to speak to the same person. Identify yourself using your full name. Tell them you filled out an application, ask if they read it and then ask for an interview. You need to continue to do this every 3-5 days until you are either offered an interview or the position is filled.
There is one important thing to remember when you are making these calls. It is very important to be EXTREAMLY polite and understanding. Don’t demand an interview and don’t be rude. This is a very calm but persistent inquiry. If you get the sense that you are annoying the person you are calling, then you need to back off. Don’t stop calling completely, but give the person more time in between your calls. Remember, this is a person that you need to impress. Be friendly and professional. Be understanding of their time constraints and the fact that they are probably very busy and don’t have a lot of time to deal with hiring issues.
Follow up is hard, but it is definitely worth it. Every time I teach this to a class, I hear stories about how this has worked for people. It has even worked for me in the past. Even though following up on your application can be a stretch for you, give it a try and let me know when it works!