The Art of Following Up
100 Percent of Hiring Managers Encourage Checking Up on Job Applications
MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Submitting application materials and waiting to hear back from a prospective employer can be as nerve-wracking as the interview itself. But should job seekers follow up with hiring managers, and if so, when? According to a new survey from staffing firm Accountemps, all human resources managers interviewed said candidates should check back after submitting a resume. Twenty-nine percent said they should contact the hiring manager within a week, and 36 percent said between one and two weeks. Respondents also shared their preferred contact method, with email (64 percent) and phone (21 percent) topping the list.
HR managers were asked, "How long should a job seeker wait to follow up with the hiring manager after submitting a resume?" Their responses:
| Less than one week |
29% |
| One to less than two weeks |
36% |
| Two to less than three weeks |
25% |
| Three weeks or more |
10% |
| They shouldn't follow up |
0% |
| 100% |
HR managers were also asked, "In your opinion, which of the following do you consider the best way for a job candidate to follow up with a hiring manager after submitting a resume?" Their responses:
| |
64% |
| By a phone call |
21% |
| In person |
14% |
| Through social media |
1% |
| Text message |
0% |
| 100% |
View an infographic of the survey findings.
"Just because you haven't heard back after applying for a job, doesn't mean the company isn't interested in you," said Michael Steinitz, executive director for Accountemps. "Follow up in a week or two to check on the status of the open position and express your interest in the role."
But Steinitz cautioned, "Don't take extreme measures to get a hiring manager's attention. Be friendly and positive, without being too pushy."
Accountemps offers the following do's and don'ts when checking in with a hiring manager:
| Do |
Don't |
| Communicate via email or phone. Send your follow-up email or call within two weeks of applying for the position. Keep your message clear and concise, and try to come across as calm and confident. |
Be pushy. Calling multiple times a day or cluttering the employer's inbox with numerous emails is annoying. Don't risk being removed from consideration for being too persistent.
|
| Express interest. Use this message to reiterate what you admire about the company, its mission and the value you would add. Keep the note short and sweet, and don't forget to check your spelling and grammar.
|
Discuss salary. Following up on your application materials is not the time to bring up compensation, benefits and perks. Reserve that conversation for when you are further along in the interview process. |
| Ask about next steps. When you connect with the hiring manager, ask about the next steps in the hiring process and when candidates will be notified about interviews.
|
Get discouraged. If you never hear back from the employer, it's time to move on. Use the opportunity to refine your resume or reach out to contacts in your network for leads. |
About the Research
The survey was developed by Accountemps and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 300 HR managers at U.S. companies with 20 or more employees.
About Accountemps
Accountemps, a Robert Half company, is the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The staffing firm has 325 locations worldwide. More resources, including job search services and the company's blog, can be found at roberthalf.com/work-with-us/our-services/accountemps.
SOURCE Accountemps
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