How to Follow Up on a Job Application?

Have you been on the job search for what seems like a lifetime?

If you’ve finally found the dream job for you and set your heart on it, it is likely you will fill out the application then the waiting game begins. The constant refreshing of your email and checking for updates is relentless. What do you do if you don’t hear back at all?

So, let’s find out How to Follow Up on a Job Application without being too keen or bothering the hiring manager. There are several steps to take when following up on your job application.

We’ll touch on that in a bit…

When To Follow Up On A Job Application?

When you apply for a job, whether via the company website or a job search website like Indeed, you must look for the following information.

Closing Date

Usually, the date will be visible from when the post was published and when the application for the job closes. It would be best if you took a note of the closing date, and it’s better to follow up two weeks after submitting your job application. In the meantime, continue applying for other positions.

Read the Rules

Some job posts will also state they do not want to be contacted by phone or email and will contact you directly about the listing. This means that you shouldn’t connect with the company and wait for their response. You have to be respectful, and they’ve got this as a written rule for a reason.

If you ignore this and follow up, the hiring manager will probably think you didn’t read the application and just reiterate what it says on their website not to call or email. That wouldn’t set you off to a great start and would probably be quite embarrassing.

Post pandemic hiring…

Another thing to remember is the differences between pre-pandemic hiring and how things work today. Many hiring managers will be working from home, communication is slower, so things tend to take longer.

When to Follow Up?

You must time it right; experts suggest you wait two weeks before following up on your job application. Why? This gives the hiring manager time to look through applicants and resumes. A recent survey looked at how long people should wait before following up with the hiring manager.

All HR interviewees believe you should follow up a job application if you don’t hear anything. Here are the results:

Which Days Should You Follow Up?

Make sure you pick the right day when following up on a job application. If you are currently in a busy position yourself, you know Mondays are for getting back into work mode after the weekend. Fridays are another no-go. People are ready for the weekend and completing their tasks for the week. Mid-week is a better time to follow up.

Who do You Know?

Have you ever heard the phrase, it’s all about who you know. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have applied for a role where someone you know works there already. They may even put in a good word for you! You can always get in contact with them, asking if they’ve heard any information about the role or if interviews have begun.

If your acquaintance is friendly with the hiring manager, they may be able to sneak your application to the top of the pile.

Check Your Application Process

This only applies to job hopefuls who have applied through an online portal or the company website. Some companies such as Google, EA Sports, and Paychex. These companies offer updates on the portal about the application process.

General Tips

Find the Correct Person to Contact

If the hiring manager’s personal information wasn’t on the job post, it’s time for a bit of detective work. You can use online resources such as a company website to find more information. However, it might be hard to find the hiring manager’s personal information if it is global.

You could use LinkedIn and search your location and the company’s name. They will likely have a profile, and you can get some information from there. Once you have the correct information, it’s time to write an email. We’ll touch on sample emails later…

Keep it Clear

If you decide to contact the hiring manager, keep it straightforward. You want to explain why you are contacting them, perhaps reiterate two of your valuable skills and a simple ‘I look forward to hearing back from you. You do not want to send an essay they will skim over and be uninterested in. All your information is already in the job application anyway.

Professionalism

Although you want to come across as friendly and personable, it is essential to maintain a professional stance. Hiring managers will interview various people and don’t have time to become overly familiar with them. You want to highlight your best professional self. After all, this is a work setting.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

Although you will probably be applying for other jobs, it’s only fair to want to get a rough idea of whether the position is still open to other applicants. Whether interviews have started and they are narrowing down their search. You can ask these respectfully, and it helps give you an idea of when you may hear some news.

Other Job Prospects

Perhaps you are lucky enough to have received a few interviews for some other companies. You can also mention this in your email or on a phone call. But be very careful; you don’t want to come across as arrogant or self-important. You can casually state that there are other opportunities, but you are very interested in this role and hope you can meet as soon as possible to discuss the position.

The Different Options

Now, the most conventional and comfortable way is probably via email. But let’s take a look at the different options.

Making a Phone Call

Perhaps the job application already provided a phone number to the hiring manager. However, you can contact the company and request the correct department. Ask them when is a convenient time to chat with you. Let them make the decision. After all, you don’t want to come across as pushy. If they are not available, ask for a good time and offer to call back.

If you don’t catch anyone on the phone, you can always leave a voicemail. Make sure to leave your phone number if they wish to call you back.

Sample Phone Call

“Hello, Mr. Smith. My name is Sam Jones, and I am calling to follow up with you on the application I submitted. I was just curious whether you have received it yet, and want you to know that I am still very interested in the Marketing Manager position. I’d love to chat with you and discuss my experience and ideas for the company.

Also, if you need any additional information feel free to ask me or follow up with an email! Thanks so much for your time.”

Sample Voicemail Message

“Hello, this is Sam Jones. I am calling to follow up on the application I submitted via the company website on January 10th. I just wanted to check on the application and reiterate how interested I am in the role. If you want to know any more information regarding the application. My number is ____. Thanks, have a great day!”

Although most hiring managers would prefer to be contacted by email, you can follow up on your job application by phone call if you prefer. Did you know on average, professionals receive 122 emails PER DAY? So, you never know, your email might have gotten missed in their inbox. A phone call is pretty memorable too.

Once you have made one phone call, it’s advised not to continue following up with the hiring manager. Rest assured, they will probably have looked over your application or, when they get round to it, notice your name after having had a phone call with you. Unfortunately, if you don’t hear back after that, likely, you didn’t ‘make the cut.’

Email

Now email is probably more appealing to you and the hiring manager. It’s comforting to have time to write and rewrite precisely what you want to say before sending it off.

You should keep your email straightforward and get across what you want to say in less than 150 words. Make sure to wait until around the two-week mark since you sent your job application.

Sample Email for General Follow Up

Subject: Following up on Social Media Assistant Application

Good Morning Mr. Smith,

I am contacting you regarding the Social Media Assistant application I sent to you on January 10th. I want to confirm that I am still very interested in the role and would love to speak to you about the position.

I know you are looking for a confident, creative individual who creates high-quality content. I believe I am an excellent fit for the role considering my two years of experience creating content for clients that have reached millions of people. Your company’s work truly inspires me, and I feel that I would be a great addition to the team.

Thank you for reviewing my application, I am sure you have had a lot of hopefuls, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Wishes,

Sam Jones.

Sample Email if You are in Demand

Subject: Following up on Online Editor Position Application

Good Morning Mr. Smith,

I hope this email finds you well. I am Sam Jones, and I am reaching out to follow up on the application I submitted for the Online Editor role on July 15th. I want to reiterate how interested I am in the position and discuss the opportunity more if you are available.

I am exploring other work opportunities but am very interested in working with your company specifically. Can you let me know how the hiring progress is coming along and the status of my application.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Best Wishes,

Sam Jones.

In-person Follow Up

This is only really a good idea if you previously submitted your job application in paper form. You perhaps wouldn’t reach the hiring manager directly, but you can always leave a message at the reception ask them to pass it along.

Hiring managers would advise you not to turn up to a place of work that you are unfamiliar with to speak to a manager who is probably very busy. It wouldn’t look good on your part, either, so unless you’ve handed your application in, in-person, your best to avoid this one.

Hi there,

Hi Mr. Smith/ Is Mr. Smith available? I am just returning to check on the status of my application. I handed it to you around two weeks ago and would like to know how the hiring process is going. I want to also reiterate that I am very interested in the role.

With my experience in marketing and speaking three languages, I believe I would be an excellent candidate. If you need a little time to think, please contact me by phone or email. My phone number is ___, and my email is ___. Thank you so much for your time!

How To Better Your Job Applications!

Your CV is your first contact with an employer or hiring manager, so needless to say; it has to be immaculate!

Let’s help you make a great first impression by taking a look at my in-depth advice on how to perfect your resume with the Most Important Skills To Put On A Resume, How To List Education On A Resume, or How To Address A Cover Letter, along with How To List References On A Resume and which Achievements To List On Your Resume.

Next, we move onto our amazing finds online, starting with the Land Your Dream Job: Make it Past Resumé Screening, or the Resume Formats book, and Resume Format Guide, Resume Writing: 10 Simple Tips, as well as how to Optimize Your Resume: the DOs and DON’Ts the SamNova Way all available for purchase in 2023.

Of course, we can’t forget about the digital aspect as everything is done online today. So, check out our CVs, Resumes, and LinkedIn: A Guide to Professional English, LinkedIn Profile Optimization For Dummies, or perhaps the English for Academic CVs, Resumes, and Online Profiles, and finally Marketing Yourself in the Age of Digital.

Final Thoughts

Waiting to hear from a job application can be super frustrating. It is normal to feel disheartened or unmotivated when you are not getting any information or feedback about your application.

Remember, regardless of how many jobs you have applied for, a follow-up email might just push your application along. It doesn’t take long to do either, so make sure to jot down your application date for each role and send a follow-up message two weeks later.

Hiring managers will not be surprised or shocked by this kind of email, as they receive them all the time. As long as you come across as polite and respectful, send that email and find out sooner!

Good luck with your job hunt Applications!