It’s agonizing to sit back and wait for someone to contact you during the application process. You may start feeling like all you ever do is hand out resumes and applications, but you don’t hear anything back from anyone.
But did you know that there is another way? You can take the initiative and reach out to a hiring manager during the application process. Sometimes, hiring managers are busy, and by reaching out to them after applying for a position, you can increase your chances of getting hired.
In this article, we will discuss:
- The advantages of calling after applying for a job.
- The disadvantages of calling a hiring manager after applying for a job.
- When to call after applying?
- How to make the call?
- What to say when following up on a job application?
If you’re looking to navigate the complex situation of job applications, speak with a career counselor from Enhancv. They can help you discern when to reach out to a hiring manager and give you the confidence to land your dream job.
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Advantages of calling after applying
Should you call a job after applying? Well, there are many opinions on sending follow-up emails to recruiters. But it’s a good idea to follow up with a recruiter after a short period has passed. You don’t want to appear too desperate for the role, so give it between one to two weeks after putting in an application. Let’s look at some advantages of reaching out to a hiring manager:
Showing initiative and enthusiasm for the job
It shows initiative when you reach out to a hiring manager, as it shows that you’re interested in the position. Most job applicants will drop off an application, resume, and cover letter, and that will be it for them. If you reach out to a hiring manager, you are going above and beyond average applicants.
An opportunity to clarify information in the application
If you send a follow-up email or call a recruiter, you can help to clarify some of the information on your application. A hiring manager’s time is limited, and they only have a bit of time to look through each resume. However, job seekers can improve their chances of being selected for an interview by reaching out to a hiring manager to share their experience.
Ability to make a personal connection with the hiring manager
Applications and CVs don’t tell the full story of who a person is. They’re great to use for introductions, but they don’t share the full work experiences of an applicant.
But phone calls and emails can help improve your chances of getting noticed during the hiring process. Become more than just a name on a piece of paper and connect with a manager by reaching out to them.
A follow-up serves to further communication between job seekers and potential employers. This can make all the difference when you’re applying for a job posting with dozens of applicants.
Disadvantages of calling after applying
Besides all the positive reasons for reaching out to a hiring manager after a job application, there are also some disadvantages. You can find them below:
Risk of coming across as pushy or aggressive
You never want to appear pushy or aggressive when applying for a job, but if you follow up too quickly, then you may come off looking like that. The goal is to give it a bit of time, in order for the hiring manager to read your application.
Possibility of interrupting the hiring process
HR departments have to scan through a lot of different job resumes before they start to weed them down for the interview process. If you try to circumvent the regular application process, you can end up slowing things down.
Threat of being seen as unprofessional
Another downside to following up after a job application is that you may appear unprofessional. In some companies, with a more formal recruiting process, reaching out to a hiring manager after you send an application may be seen as unprofessional.
However, those companies will usually place on their job listing that they don’t want applicants reaching out to them before they make their choice. Keep an eye out on the job listing to see if it says to avoid following up, and be respectful if it says that you shouldn’t follow up.
When to call after applying
The ideal timeline for following up:
The ideal time to follow up with a hiring manager is between one to two weeks after submitting the job application. As mentioned above, larger companies take a little longer to sort through all the candidates, using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sift through all resumes.
Give it a bit of time to allow for the HR department to sort through all the resumes. In the meantime, you can prepare for the interview by researching the company.
Factors to consider when following up:
- Get the hiring manager’s contact information: Make sure that your email goes directly to the hiring manager’s inbox. You can do this by scouring through a company website and finding the name of your hiring manager.
- Be brief: Remember, your goal is to remind the recruiter about your application. Therefore, keep the focus of the call on your job application, and try not to ramble or wander in the conversation. By doing this, you look professional and interested in the position.
- Come ready with a question or two: One of the best ways to show a potential manager that you’re interested in the position is by asking a few questions. Go back through the job description and discover things that maybe you might’ve missed and need clarification about. Or learn a bit more about the company through its website or social media accounts and ask a pointed question about the company’s culture and mission.
For further reading: How to Write an Initial Message to a Hiring Manager (With Examples)
How to make the call
What to say during the call
It’s going to go one of two ways when you call for a follow-up on a job application: either you’re going to get an answering machine or you’re going to talk to an actual person. If you reach an answering machine, leaving a voice message is pretty similar to sending an email or message on social media. It may look something like this:
Hello, my name is (insert your name), and I’m calling regarding an application that I made for your company two weeks ago on April 17th.
I was applying for the sales manager position, and I wanted to follow up to see if you needed any further information or other application materials. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help and thank you for your time.
If you speak to somebody on the phone, the conversation may go slightly differently, but you can always steer it in the message’s direction above. In any job application follow-up, make sure that you state your name and when you applied for the position. Next, in an actual phone call, just follow their lead:
Hello, my name is (insert your name), and I’m calling regarding the (name of position).
Wait for their response to what you said, and follow their lead. If you have a question about the application, this is where you can include it.
I had a question about the position, and I was wondering if you could help me answer it. I noticed on the application that it calls for a hybrid position, both work-from-home and in-office work. I was wondering if you could help me discover a bit more about it.
What to say when following up on a job application
Besides following up through the phone, you can also send an email message and send a message through a social media platform, like LinkedIn. Follow the examples below to create a professional message for a recruiter:
Sample follow-up email
Dear (Name of Recruiter),
I recently applied for (job title) on (date).
I’m very much interested in the position and have enjoyed learning more about (company name), and I feel I could be a great fit for the position because of the skills that I bring, including (skill one), (skill two), and (skill three).
Please let me know if you need more information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
(Your Name)
Sample LinkedIn message
The format for writing a LinkedIn message is like an email. Look at the sample LinkedIn message below:
Hello (Name of Recruiter),
I recently applied for (job title) on (date).
Given the recent work that I’ve done in my field, I believe I will make a brilliant match for your company.
If the position is still available, I’d like to discuss it in more detail.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
(Your Name)
Conclusion
When candidates reach out to hiring managers, they show that they’re taking the initiative, are interested in the position, and make personal connections. However, there might be some drawbacks to reaching out after an application, including coming off as seeming too pushy.
It’s always a good idea to wait at least a week before contacting a hiring manager, as this gives them the opportunity to go through all the applications. By reaching out, you are differentiating yourself from the rest of the applicants, so it’s always a good idea to take a step out there and give a hiring manager a call.
If you want to learn more about job-search etiquette, speak to a career counselor from Enhancv. They can help you refine your job search, find the perfect job opening on a job board, and discover ways to separate yourself from the rest of the applicants.
Make one that's truly you.
