How to Follow up With an Employer While Job Searching

Following up with employers is a nerve-wracking dance for many people. On one hand, you want to show continued interest and enthusiasm. On the other hand, you don't want to be annoying or bothersome. Yet, the urge to hear an update can be overwhelming. Trust me, I know.

The truth is that the line between being interested and annoying is different for every employer, hiring manager and recruiter. There are some best practices to keep in mind when you're sending a message or making a call after submitting a job application.

I asked recruiters and talent acquisition professionals on LinkedIn to share what they would do in such a situation. While I can't share all of their responses, you can read them by clicking here.

1. Timing is Essential:

The days following your application submission or interview are crucial. While enthusiasm is great, patience is vital.

"A rule of thumb is to wait about one week after submitting your application," writes Erick Murillo, a recruiter.?

"Give the employer some space," he says. "Following up too soon can seem impatient."

Additionally, fight the urge to repeatedly ask for updates. "Follow up only once more if needed," Murillo writes.

Similarly, Friddy Hoegener, a recruiter, says to limit yourself after an initial follow-up note. "One thank you message is good practice... Every additional attempt to receive feedback won't yield any better results in 90%+ of cases."

2. Professionalism in Communication:

Approaching the employer with professionalism sets the tone for future interactions.?

Jennifer Mackintosh, an executive recruiter, emphasizes being "brief, sincere and thoughtful in your message."?

Sticking to those elements in communication with a potential employer is also a way to show off your soft skills, such as written communication. Remember that each of your interactions with an employer is a way to show why you'd be an asset to the organization.

Additionally, Mackintosh says to apply this guidance throughout the hiring process, especially after interviews.

"Put the interviewee in the 'to' line, with a cc to the internal or external recruiter," she adds. "If you've already met the hiring manager (and this is a cross team interview), cc the hiring manager as well. It keeps everyone in the loop and keeps you top of mind as a professional engaged candidate."

3. Research and Personalization:

Generic messages rarely make an impression. To truly stand out, take the time to research and personalize your follow-up notes.?

Daryl Daley, a tech recruiter, advises job seekers to "tailor your message," highlighting the value of connecting over recent company updates or a piece of content.?

"This showcases your genuine interest and sets you apart from the generic crowd," he adds.

Jennifer Porti, a senior talent partner, supports this by emohasizing the significance of creating a "personal connection from the clues on that person's [LinkedIn] profile."

"Maybe you went to the same college, or were in the same greek life organization or perhaps you both grew up in a similar area, etc," she adds. "A personal connection is always a nice touch and it shows you didn't copy/paste to every recruiter or HR person you could find!"

4. Networking and Connections:

Leveraging existing networks and establishing new connections can expedite the application process.?

"LinkedIn is invaluable... If someone in your network is connected to the company or the hiring manager, seek an introduction," says Daley.

Jennifer Schlador, a job agent and talent coach, adds that there can be advantages of bypassing the usual channels by reaching out directly to decision-makers.

"Your chances of having HR or recruiting respond are very slim," she writes. "Everyone reaches out to them. So send them a note. But more importantly, send a note to who [you] think might be the decision maker. And network with peers so you build a relationship."

5. Stay Positive and Open:

The job market is vast and varied, and not every application will be a match. "Remember, the right opportunity is out there for you," Murillo writes.

Christopher Young, an executive recruiter, adds that you should "be prepared to check out other job options if they don't choose you."

Of course, there's no way to guarantee that you'll hear back from an employer. At the end of the day, it often falls back to the Golden Rule, which says to treat others as you wish to be treated. Hopefully, the professionalism and respect you model will inspire the employer and its representatives to treat you with those same qualities.

You're likely confused by headlines saying the economy is in solid shape while many people are struggling to find work. Well, LinkedIn Chief Economist Karin Kimbrough is back to unwrap those headlines and the statistics behind them on a bonus episode of the Get Hired podcast. She joined me to talk about what we're seeing in labor markets around the globe, including whether remote jobs are slipping away. Listen to the show and read a transcript of the conversation by clicking here.

Coming up…

Navigating turbulent times in your career — like a job search — can be a lonely journey. One way to overcome this is to lean into community — either an existing one or one you seek out. Joining us on the next episode of the Get Hired podcast is Phyl Terry, who is the founder of Collaborative Gain and author of Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker's Playbook. Phyl talks about finding support when making changes in your career and the elements you need within that community. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen so you don't miss the episode!

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