Checking in with the status of your job application can get you higher in the rankings. If you show how interested you are in getting the position, it will help you stand out and prove what an amazing employee you will be.
A fast and officiant method is following up over a simple phone call. Sounds easy right? However, there are some key points that you should be aware of when doing this.
Practice Aloud
You might think this seems unnecessary or weird but rehearsing out loud will prepare you to sound good and like you know what you’re talking about. The last thing you want to do is stumble over your words or have no idea what to say next. Making a list of the main points you want to go over will help you remember.
Call During Downtime in the Office
Calling during non-peak hours will benefit you immensely. You don’t want that time to be an inconvenience for the manager. Doing this will show you value their time and understand the business. But what are these non-peak hours? In the food industry non-peak hours are between 2-4 p.m. and in retail, it is best to call Monday-Friday before 4 p.m. Keep in mind you want to avoid any holidays!
Ask to Speak to the Hiring Manager
You don’t want to waste your time talking to someone who can’t do anything for you. So, once you call you want to immediately request to speak to the manager especially considering that’s who has the power. If they are not available, ask when they will be in and then call back around that time.
Have a Professional Voicemail Greeting
That’s not something that normally comes to mind when applying for a job, but it is important to have a proper voicemail greeting for any missed calls you may receive. It would be unfortunate to receive a call back from the hiring manager considering you for the position, just to have a voicemail like “Hey, it’s me. Just kidding, leave a message after the beep!”
Be Filled with Enthusiasm
It’s not embarrassing to be excited for a job so be yourself and let your enthusiastic personality shine. Make sure the employer is aware how delighted you would be to have the opportunity to interview with them.
Always be aware of what the employer wants before doing anything bold. Some employers will include in the posting that they do not want you to follow up, so if this a request by them be sure you respect that and don’t bother. However, if they don’t mention anything about it within the job listing, you should just assume this is a required part of applying.
Overall, these tips and tricks will help you look more professional and come off as a great candidate when applying for any job you might be interested in.
Refer to our previous article “Ease the Interview Nerves” to hear our methods on staying cool, calm and collected when interviewing for a new job.