How to Write a Follow Up Email for a Job Application

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HomeArticlesCommunityMy Profile WH.translationData = {};WH.mergeLang({'navlist_collapse': '- collapse','navlist_expand': '+ expand'});EditHome » Categories » Work World » Job SearchHow to Write a Follow Up Email for a Job ApplicationEdited by LEA80, IsabelleZita, Teresa, ImDifferentDontJudge and 6 others

Pin ItArticle EditDiscussWaiting in the abyss of time between sending in an job application and waiting to hear back from the company can seem endless and daunting. Communicating in the right way to the company to follow up on your application can set you apart from the competition.

Edit Steps

Finding the Contact1Do your homework. Like any part of the job hunting process, being prepared is important. Ring the Human Resources Department and ask who received your job application so you can contact the appropriate person.

If it is a large company, often the Human Resources Department will not know the status of the process until the hiring manager tells them to contact candidates. Getting to the heart of the process is important.If it is a smaller business you have applied to, or you already have the name of the person to contact, then we can move on to the next step.

Writing the Email1Address the email. In similar fashion to a cover letter, if you know the name of the hiring manager, use it. Use To whom it may concern as a last resort, as it is extremely non-personal and the main point of your contact is to create a connection.

Always check the spelling of someone's name. Nothing can create a negative connection quicker than misspelling someone's name.2Draft the email. Opening the email with a quick context about why you are communicating is important. Express that you are following up on an application you sent in for the job they advertised. Reinforce the one or two qualities that make you the stand out candidate. Close with a positive statement that you look forward to hearing from them soon, make an offer to resend any files in case they were not forwarded to them correctly and reaffirm your contact details and most importantly thank them for their time.

3Re-read your draft. Give the email a break for a small period of time and come back to it. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes and read the general flow of the email. Getting this right can be as important as a cover letter and resume. So give it the attention it deserves.

Send and Wait1Send your email. Once you have completed the necessary checks and you are happy with the email, send away. But do not send more than once––the last thing the hiring manager needs is 50 emails from you by misclicking on the send button.2Back off. Now that your email is complete, give it some breathing time. Do not follow up with a phone call 30 minutes later to make sure they got the email, do not write another email tomorrow. Communication following up job applications is like a good bottle of red wine, allow it time to breathe, soak up the aromas or attributes of your email before consumption or re-communication.

Try not to check your emails too often!

Edit TipsChoose a standard font for your email, writing your email in bold hot pink text, might be good for your friends but you need to portray professionalism in this communication so stick to black Arial, Times New Roman, or another easy to read font.Remember that often the hiring manager will have their own jobs to do as well as running the recruitment process. So being respectful and brief when communicating will help ensure a smooth delivery.Really consider your email address and what is says about you. Does "hotsurferdude" or "shopaholicgirl" really communicate what you want to a potential employer? Maybe create another account using your name or something professional. This whole process is about a connection and image with the hiring manager and this requires attention to all aspects of your communication.Check your email signature make sure it looks professional, sometime we have email rules set up in our inbox for communications with our friends that have our names shortened, or funny texts or pictures after our name. Remember if you want to be taken seriously you have to take yourself seriously, so give your email the best chance you have.Take the opportunity to re-communicate the best quality you have to offer, this will help the hiring manager frame in their mind your application if they have not yet read it, or will assist in re-framing their thoughts if they have.

Edit WarningsBe careful when addressing the letter, often in a larger company the person who responds acknowledging your application will not necessarily be the hiring manager, it will be a someone within the human resources department working with the recruitment process. Always check the position title of the person who contacts you against the position you applied for. If it seems a human resources department employee has contacted you, politely inquire who the hiring manager is and how you can contact them.Never be pushy, demanding or overbearing. Do not be rude in your communication to the hiring manager as they hold the ultimate decision. They understand the process of recruitment to you is important, but most likely it is only a small part of their day so being rude or pushy will only create a negative impression.

Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Write a Cover LetterHow to Write a Functional ResumeHow to Manage Your Email ProfessionallyHow to Choose the Right Email for YouHow to Fill Out Job Application FormsArticle Info Featured Article

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