We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately on the right way to follow up on your applications. From our YouTube channel:
1993c4Corvette: "If I apply online, how do I follow up on an application?"
Following up is a critical step that often gets overlooked. But in a competitive job market, you're probably competing with several other job seekers for the same job and recruiters tell us that following up is a great way to stand out and get noticed.
There are three common ways to follow up : email, phone and in person.
1. Following up through email
Email is probably the least intimidating way to follow up on a job application because you don't actually have to talk to the hiring manager. But that comes with a couple of drawbacks, including not actually getting to talk to the hiring manager.
Remember to review your follow-up email before you send it out. The slightest error can cause you to be passed over. Treat it just like you would a resume or cover letter, and even have a friend edit it, look over it over once more just to be extra certain you haven't made any mistakes. If you don't have anybody handy who can look over your writing to make sure you didn't misspell a word or have a typo you haven't noticed, read aloud to yourself to see if you can catch any errors.
This email can and should be short. Don't go on very long and definitely don't repeat the same stuff that you put into your application or cover letter. Just tell them that you are checking to see if they received your application and maybe reiterate the top three awesome things about you that would make you a great fit for the position.
2. Following up by calling
If you're going to follow up over the phone, make sure you practice what you say beforehand. You really don't want to be caught hanging up as soon as they answer.
Only follow up during non-peak business hours (this goes for following up in person, too!). For restaurants this means between 2 and 4 p.m., and for retail this means after 4 p.m. on weekdays. When someone does answer, ask for the manager (or the name of the manager if you have it). When you have the right person on the phone, introduce yourself and say, "Hi, I'm calling to inquire about the status of my application. It was for the (job title) at (business name)."
Even though you're on the phone, don't forget to smile. Hiring managers can tell if you're happy or grumpy. End the conversation with something like, "I look forward to hearing from you soon," so the ball is in their court.
We recently talked to one of our hired Snagajob members, Billy, who said he got hired at Sonic by calling and following up on his application a week later. When he was able to talk to the hiring manager, he offered Billy an interview right there over the phone. And then he got hired on the spot during his interview.
3. Following up in person
Following up in person is a great way to get noticed but if you don't do it the right way, you can stand out for all the wrong reasons.
One of the most important things we can tell you is to dress professionally as you would for an interview. We actually talked to one of our members, Patrick, on our blog who told us that he used to work for a hotel and when people would come in to drop off an application or to follow up, he had to write on their application what they were wearing and how they presented themselves. We’ve put together sample interview outfits on our Pinterest page for the ladies and the gentlemen; check it out if you need some ideas!
In addition to looking your best, you also want to make sure to bring copies of your resume. You never know when you'll be asked to interview. It could be right on the spot and you don't want to be left unprepared. If just walking in and saying you're there to follow up feels a little awkward to you, come up with a different excuse, like saying you're there to drop off your references and follow up that way.
Tips from an employer
We talked to a nation-wide retail employer and asked for their tips about following up. Here's what they had to say:
- Coming into the store in person makes a better impression.
- Wait no longer than a week after applying to follow up.
- Follow up only once. The employer should get back to you one way or the other.
- It's okay to follow up again after an interview, if you haven't heard back. But again, only do this once.
Following up can be scary. Trust us, we know. But it's a great way to set you apart from the competition.
Have a question? Head over to the Snagajob YouTube channel and leave us a video response with the question you want answered. If your question is selected, we will send you a gift card and include your video in our response!
About Kim Costa
Dear Miss Kovac
I was wondering is it a good idea to be perstint when job follow ups, or not?
Just wondering?
THANK YOU!!
Hi there! Great question. You do not want to be a bother to the employer. Ideally, you should only follow up once. This is why we hear that following up in person can make the greatest impact. If they tell you to check up on it again, then do that. If not, once should be enough. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
Kim, i have a question regarding my past and previous applications. how do i look them up so i can call the employer and let them know i want the job? thanks in advance!
if you don’t understand the question what i mean is, how do i locate my application history?
Hi Jared! Contact our Support Team: http://www.snagajob.com/contact and they can walk you through it!
Hey
hi my dear.
Anywhere i have only one quetion which ineed you to answ me.
what ineed to no is, is there any someone who can comeout and help me, becuase my dear i’ve been appling for the diferent jobs for many times and it’has took me now morover three years and i’ve gat nothing, no one have ever sey anything!! and no one hasever applyed to me infact am so angry.
Actually writenow ihave no job and ihave to takecareof my farmily what can ido my dear please tall me!!!.
dear can have ahelp from you and find me any type of ajob for am ready to do whatever job which will be given to me and am willing to start working as soon as possible.
For me idon’t bather whom i’m to be working and it does’t mater which type of acompany/ acountry.
so my dear please be my farst gardian. please help me with your kindness.
I will be very greatfull for you to having done to for me.
Goodbye.
Takecare.
MUTEBI FRANCIS.
AM AUGANDAN AND I LIVE IN UGANDA
But i would like to have ajob from outside of uganda.
PLAESE HLEP ME!!!!.
hi my name is george,i am truck driver,i wish work in SUA ,CANADA , i am ROMANIA and work in ITALIA 12 years . i need you response i speak little english
Thank you for all your support, SnagAJob really helped me applied to jobs and provided me with interview skills and a reality check, lol, I think I had this for almost 4 years I think? Anyway, thanks in advance for getting me through the process of this website.
Kudos,
Tiara <3
Hi, I am having trouble with setting up my interview. I submitted a online application last week and was excepted as a candidate for a interview. I have had problems with my phone and getting my messages. I know that the interviews are taking place on August 1, which in two day’s in one of Indianapolis, Indiana locations. I would really appreciate if you can email me any contact information regarding this matter. I would appreciate it very much.
Truely, Erika Allen
Hi Erika! You need to contact the employer directly, and you should do this ASAP. When you call, do it from a phone like that you are confident is working and let them know you have been having issues with your phone. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Please stop sending me any job alerts not related to any nursing supervisor jobs. Thank You.
If this is not possible, then I want to be taken off your list.
Hi Rosalita! The emails are based on your location. I will pass along your suggestion to the team! If you would like to unsubscribe to the emails, you can do so here: http://www.snagajob.com/contact. Let me know if you have any other questions!
If the job I applied for is next town over but main office is in Chicago, who do I follow up with? Also where did the resume actually go to? Have no problem calling either on, however afraid to bother local shop. Thanks in advance for your input.
Hi Mark! Have you thought about going to the shop in person? I would start that way. If they tell you that the main office handles the hiring, then you can call. Check out this article about how to follow up in person: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/following-up-in-person/. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
I actually have followed up at academy the first time it was right when I applied and talked to the hiring manager & she got my name & told me she to expect a call & its been a week so I called back to talk to the hiring manager but this time it was a man & he told me they look at the applications then call the ones who are the best candidate &I just said oh ok thank you. What should I do now?
Hi Sarah! It seems like you have followed up and now the ball is in their court. While you’re waiting to hear back from them, be sure you don’t stop searching for jobs. You don’t want to miss an opportunity! Check out this article for more info: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/dont-stop-applying-until-you-have-the-job/ and let me know if you have any questions
.
don’t give up and can u remember the ladies name if not ask to speak to the main manager
Hello Kim great video! I never really realized employers WANT you to follow up with them, I always assumed it would just be bugging them!
I have a question though. How would I go about following up with a company that does not post a contact email, phone number, or have anyone involved in the process at the location I’m hoping to get hired at?
Pretty much until now, I haven’t heard back from ANY of my potential hiring managers because I haven’t followed up but it is in part because I haven’t noticed any references to contact him/her.
Hi Jake! I’m glad you enjoyed the video
. Do you have the address of the company? Following up in person is a great way to stand out- if you do it correctly. Check out this article, I think it can help: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/following-up-in-person/. Let me know what you think, or if you have any other questions!
hi I like the video,and I have a question. I would like to know how to make a pirson stand out if they have never worked befor other than babysitting for friends and they just graduate high school?
Hi Lis! I’m glad you found the video helpful
. Check out this other video we put together, which talks about how to stand out in you job search: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/video-how-to-stand-out/. Let me know what you think!
Looked at your comment and saw 2 mispelled words, better keep a dictionary close to your computer….lol !!! Sorry, couldn’t help seeing the spelling, good luck on your job searches.
These are some great tips! I have one question when would you say is the best time to DROP OFF an application? Thanks in advance!
Hi Justin! Great question. Go in the same time we recommend for following up – during non-peak business hours. Think about it this way, the less busy they are, the more time they will have to talk to you/look at your application. This means between 2-4 pm at restaurants and after 4 on weekdays for retail positions. This article can help: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/approach-a-manager-for-a-job/. Good luck and let me know how it goes
.
my question is i currently live in connecticut but I’m putting in for jobs in philadelphia. And it seems to me that because I’m useing my ct address in the applications I’m not getting any responses. What should i do use my philadelphia address or my ct address. But will that make me look bad if I do get a call back and or email and I’m still in ct?
Hi Terrell! Applying to jobs in a different location is tricky. Do you currently have an address in Philadelphia? Do you have an exact date you are moving there?
Yes I do and will be moving as soon as I find employment
All of this is well and good but what should an applicant do when all of the organizations, companies, corporations and /or businesses, etc… in your living area refuse to allow any kind of follow up because of the “do not call” policy? (Don’t want to move away or change professions because of having many years of experience and liking the profession. Nobody ever seriously addresses this policy.)
http://www.snagajob.com/resources/video-how-to-follow-up/
If this is intended for my benefit, we seem to differ on the sufficiency of the video connected to the link to addressing the inquiry. May I email someone privately from snagajob.com to further discuss the matter, please?
I was offered a temporary job with my former company and was told to come on board and the day that i was supposed to start i was told that the job was put on hold. How can this happen when this job was in progress for about a month? would appreciate a response. Thanks!
Hello Kim your information was very helpful. And give me good insight on the work place at Snagajob I look forward to seeking employment with Snagajob.
Regards
Drexel
Hi Drexel! You can check out opportunities at Snagajob here: http://www.snagajob.com/about-us/careers/.
I would still like to know how one proceeds when every local employer has a do not call policy in place. Also please don’ t send me job notices not related to video production or media. I keep getting notices also just because they have the words video, productiion or media in the description but turn out to have nothing to do with said job areas. II have tried several times time leave messages stating but they seem to be ignored.
Great video ladies, keep up the great work!
Cheers,
/Joe
Very helpful video. I thought about following up on applications, but didn’t because most of them have been through various online sites that don’t provide direct contact info for human resources. Looks like I’ll have to dig harder if I expect to be called for an interview, much less hired (I’m on month 4 of being unemployed since moving to a new town).
Also, I’d like to point out a couple of things. First of all, whoever put together the text portion of this article didn’t follow your advice about proofreading. Look at the first paragraph of the section “2. Following up by calling” and see if you can find the error.
Secondly, you said that non-peak hours for retailers is after 4. That wouldn’t have been good for my former boss as our shift change happened at 4, giving him only an hour to prepare deposits and finish his daily to-do list before he went home. And if the lines I’ve seen at local grocery stores are any indication, they’re busiest between 3 and 7 p.m. so you’d probably be better off calling them earlier in the morning.
To all the “Company Confidentials” out there. Are you for real? Why would anyone want to give you all their personal history if you don’t have the courtesy of saying who you are. Do you hear what’s on the news these days about all the identity theft out there?
Hi, love the video. It’s my first job. I have no clue what to do honestly… Help?!
Hello I have a question! What about if the company send you a email Applicant Submission or Thank you for Applying saying at the end of the email to (Please do not contact the store with inquiries regarding your application, as they will be unable to respond at this time.) What do you do?
Hi Anni! Unfortunately, not all employers will allow you to follow up, and in the case you mentioned you should definitely not try and contact them. The only thing you can do it wait. But, make sure you continue to apply to other jobs until you hear back!
After you fill out the application it says that if you are qualified for the job they will call you, if not then they will keep your application on file for 30 days or something. That clearly states that they do not want you calling them. I tried following up on an application and they either cut me off and didn’t let me finish my question or they just say they have the applications. It seems like if you want to get hired by any job, you have to have a friend that works there to get employed. I filled out an application several times for a company, they didn’t call back but when my friend told them about me then they all of a sudden out of the blue, want to interview me. I wasn’t even at home at the time so I didn’t have any resume’s or anything.
All mof this is wonderful but the companies for the industries I am involved with are using a practice of not allowing any method of communicating with them for following up.
Tried emailing but was blocked, mail was returned and when tried showing up in person, was told they were too busy to talk several times.
Any help?
Hi there! Unfortunately, there are employers who you can’t really follow up with. It sounds like this is the case for you. Make sure you keep applying to other jobs while you are waiting to hear back from them. You don’t want to miss an opportunity while you are waiting. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Received a email stating my application was submitted and they would be getting back with me. I never submitted the application had questions about some of the areas that needed to be filled out so I never submitted it. Can this be fixed. I would like to submit a application once I get the answers I need. Once again the application was never submitted.
Hi Louise – Please contact our Support Team: http://www.snagajob.com/contact and they can get you set up!
I was wondering, what if the manager is not around when you call or go in to follow up? Should you try again? If so, how long should the wait be until you do?
Hi Kayla! Great question. You should definitely try again. If they’re not in, simply ask when the manager will be back and return at that time (as long as it’s not a peak business time). Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
I started my freshman year in college and I’m really in the need of a job.
So far I have no work experience and I don’t understand what information is best to insert for the work experience sections without being fraudulent on my application.
Any advice will be appreciated.
How do we deal with situations where we cannot make a follow up telephone call because the potential employer forbids it?
Hi Kody! In this case you will not be able to follow up with the employer. You want to show that you follow directions, so stay away from going against their wishes.
How is it that you have 15 years exoerience in retail and
custer service and a great track record on previous jobs
that I have not got a dream job to have an be proud of
having.
Do you know if you accidentally refer to a follow-up, in-person or by phone call, as a meeting or presentation, you would have made the worse mistake ever. Is the follow-up, whether in person or by phone, considered a self-presentation or a meeting? I have mistakenly said to the hiring managers both in-person and via the phone that “I am the person that the resume or the application represents”,or I am trying to arrange a meeting with you to follow up. Each time the hiring managers were outraged, hostile, and rude. Management, definitely stand their ground and positions of authorityand intimidation with their explanations; ‘don’t call me, I’ll call you, or “get off the platform girlie, you bother me”. just recently one manager was so outraged and hostile by my comment, that she practically cussed four ugly letters while saying,” What meetin?,my cashiers neither my assistant manager, don’t make no appointments for me, they don’t have the right to schedule no meetings for me.” Sometimes, however, a manager or the assistant will explain that they don’t follow-up, that the applications are chosen by the computer.
I will not give up, I will not become discouraged; I will remember to say that my call or visit is a follow-up to the application and resume submitted.
I won an unemployment appeal against my last job, for alledged job abandonment. (This was NOT the case!) Now they have me listed as will NOT rehire.I was employed with them from 4/09-8/11
Now I’m back on the job hunt, and don’t know what to put on my resume about tbis company, or what to say about reason for leaving this company.
What do you suggest?
They also need to address everyone’s concerns in the forum. The support team ought to answer these questions here if the young ladies are unable or unwilling to do so.
Hi. On the lines of following up – some job sites just have you send your resume and you get an automated email back saying HR received your application and is reviewing it. There is no way to contact the company because the company is not listed for whatever reason they chose. I feel that the applications are out in cyberspace someplace. What irriates me is that you can fulfill all the job requirements posted and no one even calls you for an interview to see what you are all about. Just not professional of the companies. They want you to be professional but they are not by not even giving you the courtesy of a phone or in-person interview.
What is the proper steps to write a resume, and can you post an example for me to see.
Do you accept resumes on line?
Hi Robert! Try using our keyword search tool to look for jobs in your area: http://www.snagajob.com/job-search and let me know if you have any questions!
I would go to the place of business if a physical location does in fact exist, and, ask if there is any further interest in my application and or could I speak with the manager in charge. If there is no physical location then I would not pursue any further contact.
I enjoyed reading the comments listed above. How sad that many of the people who want to work are not able to do so. I can certainly understand their frustration.
How could i get a job
in this month or next month
i my name george
i need a work truck driver,i am romania nation,and i leave in italy and work 12 years in italy i am 35 years.
thank you very much.
p.s. i speak little english,i speak romania,italiano good,and franch little
hi 36years warehouse experience need work libertyville area
If a company says specifically not to follow up on an application after you submitted it (due to it holding up their hiring process), should you follow up anyways? One specific company has a statement that says that they usually do calls within two weeks of submitting applications but to not follow up on the application.
Hi Pam! Great question. Definitely do not follow up on the application if the posting tells you not to. You want to show that you can follow directions and you also don’t want to make the employer upset with you.
Thanks for the tips on how to follow up.
I watch the video about follow up on your application checking e-mails, by phone and in person. I consider that to be a very considerate approch toward employment, and will look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank You!
Snagajob help me find a job through email some what quiet and different talking to a alive person that true. Should not you meeting a alive person. Thanks! snapajob Jewel
Thanks Guys For The Tips Even though I have a diploma in Jobs Readiness Program and Master in computers and skills, every little bit helps!!! Some people just need a lil more help! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! I <3 Snagajob!!!!! ~ Tonya Garrett
Thank you Mediacat. I have the same question and can’t seem to get any answers. All the websites are full of advise on what you should do but they aren’t realistic in the current job market. They need to fill out an online application and see how difficult a process it has become.