Have you recently submitted your resume, cover letter, and other documents for a job application and not received a reply yet? If so, you need to consider sending a follow-up email to ensure the status of your job application.
Sending a follow-up email for a job application is the most important email you can send because it is the most effective.
In addition, you set yourself apart from other job applicants when you send a follow-up email.
This is because not many job applicants remember to send follow-up emails.
As a result, their job applications are usually forgotten, and they never get noticed by the employer.
Now you see that you are already one step ahead of the game if you send out follow-ups.
But you don’t just open your email and start typing any message as a follow-up email.
You have to make sure you formulate your email very well to be more likely to receive a response.
And this is exactly what you are going to learn in this article.
But before we go into how to write a follow-up email after submitting your resume, let’s look at some of the frequently asked questions about this topic.
Should You Send a Follow-Up Email After Applying?
Whether you should send a follow-up email after applying for a job will depend on the job listing.
If there is a specific timeline for which the employer wishes to conclude the entire hiring process, there will be no need to send a follow-up email.
However, if there is no timeline for the hiring process, it is best to send a follow-up email at least two weeks after submitting your resume for the job.
The two weeks time frame is enough time for the employer to review your application and those of other applicants.
Sending a follow-up email serves as a reminder to the employer that you have submitted your application.
Also, it is an opportunity for you to tell the employer more exciting things about you and why you are the best candidate for the job.
An employer may not be interested in you the first time, but with a strong follow-up email, he may want to give your resume a second look.
What are the Benefits of Sending a Follow-Up Email After Your Job Application?
Here are some benefits of sending a follow-up email after submitting your job application.
1. Helps you confirm that your application was received:
It’s one thing to apply for a job opening and another to reach its destination.
Maybe it was delivered to the company. However, it may not have reached the hiring team.
So, you must send that follow-up email to ensure that your application was received.
This brings us to the next point.
2. Helps you to confirm that the right person received the email:
It very vital that your resume gets into the right hands.
And what’s the best way to find out?
Yes!! You guess that right.
You need to send a follow-up email to confirm that the right person has received the email.
Although, before you send out your application to the company, make sure you research to know who is reviewing the resumes.
That way, you can always track your resume down to the person’s desk.
So, when you send a follow-up email, it will get into the right hands.
3. You can learn more about the job by sending a follow-up email:
Sending a follow-up email is a good opportunity to get additional information.
You can get to know the person in charge of hiring, find out the interview timeline, and maybe even schedule an interview.
There is a lot of other valuable information that you will get from sending that follow-up email.
So, do it.
4. It is proof that you want the job:
Following up on a job application is a good way to show that you want the job.
Most employers are excited when a job applicant desperately wants to work and will follow up on an application until the end.
So, go on and send that powerful first impression to your employer.
5. It shows you have good follow-up skills:
Again, following up on your job application sends a strong message that you are dedicated and reliable.
As a result, you could likely be relied upon to follow up on delegated tasks or outsourced requests.
You can get the job done and even ask for more.
6. Following up on your job application shows that you are organized:
Not all job applicants follow up on their job applications.
That’s because they send too many applications and do not keep track of any.
So, for you to be able to remember, your application to the company shows that you are organized.
And this is one of the many traits that employers love.
Features of a Good Follow-Up Email
For you to send that perfect follow-up email for your job application that will attract a quick reply, here are some tips that may help.
1. Make sure your subject line is clear enough:
You don’t want to sound confusing in your subject line.
Anyone who is going to read this follow-up email should be able to deduce the exact purpose of the email.
In the subject line, include the title of the job you are applying for and your name.
By doing this, the employer will know exactly what the email is about.
2. Be courteous:
If you are going to join the organization you are applying to; you must be polite to the existing workers.
Begin with a polite salutation and use the employer or hiring manager’s name if you have it.
Starting with a polite salutation and mentioning the hiring manager’s name is a plus to your email.
You can also thank the employer for taking the time to look at and consider your resume.
3. Keep it short and simple:
Your follow-up email does not have to be extremely long.
Keep it short and simple so the employer can quickly skim it and understand why you’re writing.
4. Talk more about yourself:
Sending a follow-up email for a job application is a good opportunity to talk more about yourself.
You can briefly explain why you are the best candidate for the job in your email.
If you have any new information you want to share (such as a new achievement at work), you might mention that here.
5. Ask any questions that you may have:
If you have any questions about the job or the application process, you can ask them at the end of the email.
What Do You Say When Following Up on a Resume?
By now, you already know the benefits of writing a follow-up email and the features of a good follow-up email.
What exactly should you say when you write your follow-up email for that job application?
Here is a sample or template to help you write a better follow-up email.
Sample Follow-Up Email Template for a Job Application
A template for writing a follow-up email for a job application could be like the one below
Subject Line: Sales Manager Position – John Doe
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, [if you know the receiver’s name, otherwise omit this line]
Good day, My name is John Doe.
I submitted my resume on ___________(insert exact date) for the Sales Manager position advertised on your website.
I wanted to make sure that my resume for this position was received.
I am very interested in working at ___________(insert the company’s name), and I believe that my skills, especially my extensive copywriting experience at _________(insert the name of your former workplace where you gained the copywriting experience), would be an excellent match for this position.
I would like to know the timeline for the interview.
Is there any way I can go ahead and get on the schedule – this job is a perfect match for me!
If necessary, I would be glad to resend my resume or provide any further information you might need regarding my candidacy.
I can be reached at 555-555-5555 or johndoe@xyz.com.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
John Doe.
What if You Do Not Get a Reply to Your Follow-Up Email?
Just to be clear, sending a follow-up email is not a guarantee that the company is going to see the email.
It is also not a guarantee that you will get the job.
By then, there may be a situation where you will send a follow-up email, and you still do not get a reply from the company.
So, rather than sending multiple emails, you can locate a contact person and phone number you may want to try to follow up with a phone call.
If the location of the company is close to you and easily accessible, then you may want to walk up there.
There is no harm in appearing in person to follow up on your job application.
Conclusion
When you apply for a job, it is only normal for you to get feedback on whether you got the job.
But when that is not forthcoming, you may consider sending a follow-up email to ensure your application reaches its destination.
Your resume can end up in the wrong hands and never get the right attention.
As a result, you may lose a 100% chance of getting the job.
By following the instructions in this guide, I am sure you will be able to send a powerful and irresistible follow-up email for your job applications.
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