In an era where AI-driven applications have revolutionised the hiring landscape, standing out in a sea of applications is more crucial than ever. The surge in applications, powered by AI's ease of submitting resumes, means your application could easily get lost.
To navigate this competitive arena and ensure your job application rises to the top, a strategic follow-up is essential. It’s not always possible to know someone in the company or a mutual acquaintance who you can refer to the hiring manager.
6 Tips to follow up on your job application effectively
1. Wait the Right Amount of Time
The timing of your follow-up is critical. In the current fast-paced hiring environment, the optimal timing for job application follow-up is 3-5 working days after submitting your application. This strikes the perfect balance. This timeframe shows your keen interest without being overly eager or invasive. It respects the initial review and shortlisting process many hiring managers undergo in the first few days following a job posting and is within the initial shortlist process so the recruiter or hiring manager can revisit your application if they missed it.
2. Conduct Thorough Research
Before you follow up, do research for effective job application follow-up. Dive deep into researching the company, its core values, the specific role you applied for, and most importantly, the hiring manager. Understanding the company’s mission and how the role contributes to it can help you tailor your communication effectively. If possible, learn about the hiring manager’s professional background and interests and see if there is any common ground. This research will not only inform your follow-up but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and the position.
3. Use the Right Channels
In today’s digital age, choosing channels for job follow-up can make a big difference. LinkedIn stands out as a professional platform where you can connect with the hiring manager, recruiter, or both and helps put a face to name. A personalised LinkedIn message or an email can be effective, but choosing which to use should be informed by your research on the company culture and the preferred communication style of the recipient. I would hold off from calling hiring managers unless there is already a connection there from say meeting at a networking event.
4. Personalise Your Follow-Up
Personalised follow-up on job application is key in making your follow-up memorable. Refer to specific details you discovered during your research, such as recent company achievements, projects relevant to the role you’re applying for or maybe an interest you shared or university you both attended. Mention any personal connections to the work or the company, and clearly articulate how your skills and experiences make you the ideal candidate for the position.
5. Express Your Enthusiasm
Expressing enthusiasm in job application follow-up can be a differentiator. Clearly convey your excitement about the potential to work with the company and contribute to its goals. With hiring managers and recruiters spending on average 10-20 seconds reviewing each CV highlighting your passion for the role and the company’s mission in your follow-up can help set you apart from other candidates who may have similar qualifications.
6. Be Concise and to the Point
While it's important to be thorough, having concise communication in job application follow-up is critical. Your follow-up should be concise, aiming to reiterate your interest and suitability for the role without overwhelming the recipient. A succinct message respects the hiring manager's time and demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively, a trait highly valued across all professions.
Conclusion
In the AI-enhanced recruitment landscape, following up on your job application has taken on new importance. A well-timed, researched, and personalised follow-up can significantly increase your visibility among a plethora of applications. By utilising the right channels, expressing genuine enthusiasm, and keeping your message concise, you position yourself as a memorable candidate, significantly enhancing your chances of progressing to the interview stage.
Implementing these strategies in your job application follow-up can help you stand out in an increasingly automated and competitive job search environment.
Now that you know how to follow up on your job applications , it’s time to take the next step and learn how to ace your interview prep to land your next job. Require additional tips on what questions to ask at interview to secure job offers? Don't forget to check out our career advice page
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