How To Follow Up On A Job Application

Following up on applications is often an important step in the hiring process. City and government jobs often reach back out to applicants without any follow up necessary. This is because they often have a separate department in charge of recruiting new employees and looking through applications. However, most other places require you either go in  person to speak with the hiring manager, or attempt to get in contact with them over the phone.

CONTEXT:

Here is a rough script to help you conduct a successful follow up call on an application with unknown status. You can do this as early as 1 day after applying. This script utilizes probing questions that help you get the answers you need.

Remember most hiring managers are also managers of their stores. It’s easy for them to overlook applications when they are busy with other tasks. Hearing from an applicant shows them you really want the job and reminds them to look for your application.

You put time and energy into your application and deserve to know the status of that application.

The person you speak to is the gatekeeper. They can make your access to the hiring manager easier or harder. If you are pleasant with them they are more likely to attempt to get you through to the right person.

HAVE A PEN AND PAPER READY. OR USE THE NOTES APP ON YOUR PHONE

SCRIPT:

You: Hello how are you doing?! [Sound enthusiastic if possible. Smile on the phone if you are not in person :)]

Gatekeeper will give a response that helps you gage their mood. Make sure you listen to what they say and relate to them. If they they say great how can I help get straight to the next step. If they say something negative say something like “same here just hanging in there! But hey we are almost to the end of the week” (turn it a little light or positive unless something really serious happened. In which case show empathy for what they are going through)

Gatekeeper: How can I help you?

You: My name is [Insert name] I wanted to see if I could speak to the hiring manager because I put in an application for the [Insert Job Position] on [Insert Date]. I wanted to see if it went through and approximately when interviews should be taking place.

If the gatekeeper says the hiring manager isn’t in then ask

You: When will they be in? Is morning better for them or afternoon? When do they usually come in?

If the gatekeeper or hiring manager says they will follow up with you once the application is reviewed then ask when a realistic time frame is to reach out in case you miss their call or don’t hear back. Try to make it a close ended question so they don’t give you the vague 'I don’t know'.

You: “ Would Wednesday morning be a good time for me to check back in if I don’t hear back? You mentioned you need time this week to look over applications. I want to make sure you can take your time and that I am respecting your schedule”

IMPORTANT!: Get the name of the hiring manager if you can and WRITE IT DOWN! That way the next time you call within the time frame the person on the phone said it's ok you will have a warmer call. When you ask for a person by name it shows more familiarity. It also shows you have called before and will persist until you find out what you need. Let them know you were told this was a good time to follow up if you missed the call back.