Job Application Follow Up: A Complete Guide

Following up on your job applications can put you a step above your competition. It helps you stand out and lets the employer see just how determined you are, which also shows what a great employee you will make.

A quick and easy way to follow up is over the phone. This sounds simple, but there's definitely some key things to keep in mind.

1) Rehearse...out loud.

This may seem silly, but practicing out loud will help you sound prepared. You don't want to be stumbling over your words or unsure of what to say next. If you're worried you might forget, make a list of the main points you want to cover.

2) Call during non-peak business hours.

You want to call at a time that is convenient for the manager to show you understand the business and know their time is valuable.Non-peak hours are between 2-4 p.m. in restaurants and Monday-Friday before 4 p.m. in retail. Also, be sure to avoid any holidays.

3) Ask for the hiring manager.

You want to make sure you are talking to someone who has the power to make the final decision. If the hiring manager is not available, ask when they will be there and follow up at that time.

4) Check your voice mail greeting.

You're probably wondering why that would matter, but it's important for your greeting to be professional too. It would suck for the employer to call you back and no longer consider you because your voice mail is something like "If you’re one of my friends, leave a message. Everyone else, don't bother".

5) Be enthusiastic.

Let your personality shine through and express your enthusiasm for the job. Also, be sure to mention that you would be delighted to interview for the position.

Remember, if a company says in their job posting not to follow up then definitely don't. But if they don't mention anything about it, you should consider this a required part of applying to jobs.