Done Applying? It's Time to Flex Your Follow-Up

Recruiters receive tons (we’re talking hundreds) of applications every single day, so having the right skill set for a particular job may not be enough to get you noticed. Getting on their radar will greatly increase your chances of scoring an interview. Finding a great opportunity, customizing your resume and cover letter, and submitting your application are obviously essential pieces of the process. But don’t stop there.

Your next step is to hop on LinkedIn and search for any connections who work for the company you’d like to apply to, the recruiter or hiring manager, or someone who works in the department you’re targeting. Once you’ve identified who you’re going to follow up with, it’s time to craft your message. This will, of course, vary depending on your audience. Here are a few sample templates to get you started:

For someone you know:

Sample One:

Hi [name],

I’m planning to apply for a [job title] opportunity with [company name] and wanted to ask if you’d be open to passing my resume on to the recruiter or hiring manager there.

Sample Two:

Hi [name],

I’m planning to apply for a [job title] opportunity with [company name] and I noticed that you’re connected with [name]. Would you be open to introducing me to him/her via LinkedIn?

For someone who works in the department:

Hi [name],

I recently applied for a [job title] role at [company name]. It sounds like an exciting opportunity! I wanted to reach out to you directly to ask if you would be open to sharing any insights about the company or your role there. Any information or advice that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time!

Best,

[Your name]

For the hiring manager, recruiter, or HR rep:

Hi [name],

I recently applied for the [job title] role at [company name] and wanted to follow up with you directly to ask if there is any additional information you may need from me in order to move forward with my application.

This role is particularly interesting to me because your job posting mentions a need for someone with [requirement] and [requirement] experience. I have an extensive background in [requirement] and am currently working on a [requirement] project now. I would love to learn more about how my expertise could be a match for your organization’s goals.

If you aren't the most appropriate person to ask, would you mind pointing me in the right direction? Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best,

[Your name]

Don’t forget to make these messages stand out by infusing your personality and customizing them to demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and how you can help to solve their most pressing pain points.

And be persistent! (while staying polite and professional) If you don’t hear back from a company it is totally acceptable to follow up again to ask for some feedback on your application. These provide great learning experiences for your next application!

NEVER EVER leave an application you didn’t hear back from without at least one follow-up, preferably a second quick reminder of your first follow-up. At the very least, this will make your name stand out as a go-getter for your next application at the same company.