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The Power of Personal Follow-Up: Enhancing Your Job Application Experience
In today's competitive landscape, where countless candidates vie for limited opportunities, the ability to stand out and make a lasting impression is paramount. Personal follow-up offers a strategic advantage, enabling you to demonstrate your enthusiasm, professionalism, and proactive approach to potential employers.
The following list shows the benefits of personally following up with a prospective employer after submitting a job application, along with some practical tips for maximizing your effectiveness.
1. Demonstrates Initiative and Enthusiasm:
Personal follow-up sends a clear message to prospective employers that you are genuinely interested in the position and eager to contribute to their organization. It demonstrates initiative and proactiveness, traits that are highly valued in today's fast-paced business environment. By taking the initiative to reach out personally, you distinguish yourself from other candidates who may passively wait for a response, thereby showcasing your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
2. Reinforces Your Qualifications and Fit:
Following up allows you to reinforce the key qualifications, skills, and experiences outlined in your application. It provides an opportunity to highlight specific certificates, achievements or credentials that align with the requirements of the position, reinforcing your suitability and fit for the role. By emphasizing your relevant qualifications and experiences in a personalized manner, you help ensure that your application remains top-of-mind for the hiring manager as they review candidates.
3. Builds Relationships and Rapport:
Personal follow-up fosters the development of relationships and rapport with prospective employers, laying the groundwork for future interactions and collaborations. It offers a chance to engage in meaningful dialogue with hiring managers, HR professionals, or decision-makers, allowing you to show your personality, communication style, and fit beyond the confines of your resume. Building rapport early in the hiring process can significantly enhance your chances and increase the likelihood of advancing to the next stages of the selection process.
4. Provides Additional Insights and Information:
Following up enables you to gain additional insights and information about the position, company, or hiring process that may not have been readily available during the initial application stage. It allows you to ask clarifying questions, seek feedback on your application, or request updates on the status of the hiring process. By demonstrating a genuine interest in understanding more about the role and organization, you position yourself as a proactive and engaged candidate who is invested in the opportunity.
5. Reinforces Your Professionalism and Attention to Detail:
A well-crafted follow-up message demonstrates your professionalism, attention to detail, and communication skills, all of which are highly valued by employers. By crafting a personalized and thoughtful message that addresses key points discussed during the application process, you showcase your ability to communicate effectively and articulate your thoughts concisely. Attention to detail in your follow-up communication reflects positively on your overall candidacy, reinforcing the impression of competence and professionalism you wish to convey.
Practical Tips for Effective Follow-Up:
Timing is Key: Follow up promptly after submitting your application, ideally within a few days. This ensures that your communication remains timely and relevant, without appearing overly eager or impatient. Ideally, don't let a weekend pass by between your application and your follow-up.
Be Professional and Polite: Craft your follow-up message with professionalism and courtesy, addressing the recipient by their name and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to apply. Keep your tone positive, respectful, and professional throughout the communication.
Personalize Your Message: Tailor your follow-up message to the specific position, company, and individual you are contacting. Reference key points discussed during the application process, highlight your qualifications and experiences relevant to the role, and express genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Keep It Concise and Relevant: Keep your follow-up message concise and focused, avoiding unnecessary details or information. Clearly communicate the purpose of your follow-up, whether it's to express continued interest in the position, seek clarification on certain aspects of the role, or provide additional information as requested.
Follow Up Strategically: If you haven't received a response after your initial follow-up, consider sending a brief, polite reminder after a reasonable period, typically one to two weeks. Be mindful not to overdo it or appear too pushy, as this may have the opposite effect and detract from your professionalism.
Practically, you will be following up by calling the employer's main switchboard and asking for the email address of the hiring manager. That call takes courage, but it pays dividends very often. If you meet with a refusal, then at least ask for a message to get through to the hirer, letting them know that you called.