You’re sure your administrative resume was impressive, your cover letter was engaging and you are well-qualified for the job. But you haven’t heard anything from the company since you applied. Keeping in mind that 37% of hiring managers in a recent Robert Half survey indicated that it takes three to four weeks to staff an open position, what do you do now? Read on for suggestions on how to follow up on a job application.Applying for a job can be like throwing your resume into a black hole and hoping it comes out on the other side. But there are ways to let the employer know you are truly interested in the in the administrative job you applied for without coming across as desperate or annoying.
It can be tricky to know the best way to follow up after applying for a job. Determining the best course of action is partly based on where and how you applied for the job.A follow-up email after an application is perfectly fine. But a phone call can sometimes have a bigger impact.If you know the name of the employer and title of the administrative job you applied for, call the company and speak to the receptionist. Let them know what position you’re targeting and that you would like to follow up on your job application status. The receptionist should be able to give you the next steps or connect you with the right person to talk to.Similar rules apply when you’re working with a talent solutions firm to find an administrative job. It really doesn’t hurt — and, in fact, is actually really helpful — to call the firm to make sure they have received your information and to verify that the job you’re interested in is still available.No matter who you’re following up with on your job application status, or if you’re sending a follow-up email or picking up the phone, always be friendly and positive. Whether you realize it or not, you’re making an impression on someone who may have a say in who is hired for the role, and you want it to be a good one.Consider working with Robert Half — a proven leader in helping candidates like you find rewarding administrative career opportunities.
Make sure you are clear and concise in your follow-up email or phone call to see if your application is still under review. As much as possible, try to come across as calm, confident and polite. That can be hard to do, of course, but it helps to have this attitude.
It also doesn’t hurt to try to create a sense of urgency with the hiring manager. If you are interviewing for other administrative jobs or are lucky enough to have a job offer in hand already, politely let the employer know. Your goal isn’t to give the hiring manager an ultimatum but to stress your interest in the position they’re hiring for and to encourage them to call you in for an interview quickly.
Send your follow-up email within a few days of applying for the position. Give the hiring manager or recruiter at least 24 hours to respond to you. You want to reinforce your initial expression of interest in the job, and you want to do so without being pushy.You can show your administrative skills by avoiding the urge to call back multiple times a day or send a flood of follow-up emails. Too much follow-up paints you as impatient. And, yes, it will annoy the recipient.
Follow up until the employer gives you a reason to stop. At some point, they may tell you the role has been filled, which obviously means you can stop contacting them about the status of your application. It’s also possible you may never get a response to your follow-up attempts. If you have followed up several times and still have not heard back, it’s probably best to move on.
