Best practices for maintaining communication and following up after applications and interviews.
You know the scenario: you send out dozens of resumes or even get called to an interview and then hear nothing back for weeks or even months. You wonder what to do to draw attention to yourself and be seriously considered for the job. There’s another way you can look at this period of waiting. It’s actually a great opportunity to show how interested and enthusiastic you are about the role. Here are some good practices for maintaining communication with employers in this situation.
Give them time. Nowadays, everyone is busy, including your potential employer. Rather than trying to contact them right away to see if they got your job application or if you landed the job, show some patience. Try to give an employer a week or maybe two to process your application or to get through the interviews they’ve scheduled. This actually shows an employer that you have awareness and respect of other people’s time.
Pick a method. Modern day society provides several ways of reaching out to potential employers. With options like email, phone calls, and direct messages through social media, you may be wondering which one is the best. First, if you get a chance to ask (like during an interview), this is obviously the best way to know the best way to reach out. If you’re shooting in the dark, an email may be the best way because it allows an employer to take their time getting back with you.
Use effective communication. However you reach out to an employer, it’s critical to show the highest level of professionalism possible in such a short bit of communication. Keep the message polite, respectful, and to the point. No casual language or use of emojis. Just sincerely reintroduce yourself, express your ongoing interest (focusing on what appeals to you about the job), and conclude with your inquiry about the status and a thank you for their time.
It’s likely that even if you do follow up with an employer, you may not hear anything back which means a second follow up would be necessary. When you do this, you just need to strike a balance where you don’t appear to be desperate or pushy. Ultimately, it’s important to stay positive and see an unresponsive employer as a sign the job is not right for you. Continue to be proactive in your search as it will increase your chance of landing the right job and the right time.
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