How to Follow Up After Submitting a Resume

While it’s common to follow up after a job interview, doing so on a job application is not typical. Applicants tend to just wait for their potential employers to reach out to them after sending their resume. Do you know that following up on your resume can also make a huge difference? It shows that you really want to speak with them in an interview to prove your qualifications and pursue the job. Since hiring managers are flooded with applications, they only spend a few seconds to scan each resume.

It’s either your resume that might not have been read or have been moved to the trash folder due to a lack of qualifications. They don’t have time to reconsider your resume, for there are new applications received every day. Following up on your resume can make them place your profile back to their database. Therefore, you’ll have a chance to be reconsidered for an interview.

Ways to Follow Up On a Job Application

1. Send a follow-up email.

In the subject line, put your name and the position you applied for. This will grab the hiring manager’s attention. You may send this if you haven’t heard back 1 week after submitting your resume. The email content goes like this:

Subject: Job Title – Your FirstName LastName

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Good day!

I submitted my resume a week ago for the position of accountant listed on [name of the platform]. To date, I haven’t heard back from your company.

I would like to confirm the receipt of my application and express my interest in the job. I am very eager to work at ABC Company and would love to speak with you about my qualifications.
I believe my skills and experience will allow me to contribute to your team. My accomplishments in my 2 years of working at XYZ company make me a strong candidate for the role.

Please let me know if you need any further details regarding my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,

Your FirstName LastName
Email
Phone Number

2. Send a follow-up letter.

This is another option aside from email. Follow the standard in writing a business letter.

Your FirstName LastName
Address
City, Zip Code
Email
Phone Number

Date

FirstName LastName
Hiring Manager
XYZ Company, Inc.
158 Legazpi St.
Makati City, Philippines 1630

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Good day!

I submitted my resume a week ago for the position of accountant listed on [name of the platform]. To date, I haven’t heard back from your company.

I would like to confirm the receipt of my application and express my interest in the job. I am very eager to work at ABC Company and would love to speak with you about my qualifications.

I believe my skills and experience will allow me to contribute to your team. My accomplishments in my 2 years of working at XYZ company make me a strong candidate for the role.

Please let me know if you need any further details regarding my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Name

3. Follow up by phone.

After 1 week of sending your follow-up email or letter without receiving any feedback, you may follow up through a phone call. Try to call them once or twice only. Express your appreciation for them in taking time to consider your resume and tell them you would be glad to clarify any details on your application. Be brief and straightforward while maintaining courtesy and professionalism.

Sample script:

“Hello [Hiring Manager’s Name], my name is [Your Name]. I applied for the position of accountant for ABC company two weeks ago. I would just like to confirm if you received it. I’m really interested in the role and would love to speak with you about how I can contribute to your team in reaching your business goals. If you need any additional details regarding my application, please let me know…”

You need to make an extra effort to get noticed by your potential employer. If you follow up on your application, you’ll surely get their attention. That’s an added value on top of what’s written on your resume. But if you’ve done your best and still haven’t been invited for an interview, you might be at one of the 5 stages of job search grief right now. Be proactive. Achieve your career goals by employing these 7 job search productivity hacks.

Find these tips useful? We have more career advice, workplace tips, and job search tips on our blog. If you’re looking for jobs in the Philippines or abroad, sign up now and start applying!

Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels