How To Write a Follow Up Email

There are many scenarios that may require writing a follow up email, like when job interviewers are not getting back to you or your colleagues are not giving you feedback, to name a few. You see, in the world of work, you must always follow up with people to get the job done right. And the best way to do that is via email, which as we all know is one of the fastest and easiest ways to communicate professionally.

In this article, we share with you how to write follow up emails after a job application and job interview along with some samples for your reference.

Follow Up Email After Job Application

Hiring managers or employers not responding to candidates who have submitted their job applications to them is more common than you’d think. From errors in your resume to it not being optimised for the right keywords or too many candidates or mismatched skills, among many others, there are many factors that play into this particular issue. So, to ensure that your resume gets the attention it deserves, and your job application gets accepted, you must always follow up with the concerned person after you apply for a job.

How To Follow Up On A Job Application

There are three main ways you can follow up on a job application, and let’s take a close look at them.

Find the Phone Number Of The Person In Charge Of Hiring

Now the person in charge of screening your resume and hiring could be the hiring manager or the recruiter or the employer himself. The simplest way to find their contact details would be to go to the company website or their LinkedIn profile. There you will get an email address or phone number. Once you have them, you can go from there.

Ideally, we advise that you email the hiring recruiters rather than calling them directly, as they could be too busy to answer calls.

Email The Person In Charge Of Hiring Directly

You can send a follow up email directly to the person in charge of hiring. We advise that you go with electronic mail over a physical letter because it is a faster and easier way to communicate. All you have to do is follow the follow up email tips below:

• Address the right person in charge of hiring.
• Use a clear and direct subject line that is not more than 60 characters.
• Use a professional and formal tone.
• Ensure that the body of the email is concise and to the point. Do not derail from the subject.
• Add an appropriate signature that has your contact details.

Utilise Your Connections

If you know anyone who is working in the company or has worked there previously, call in a favour. Ask them to inform the hiring manager of your job application or how to get in touch with them. If they put in a good word for you, it will increase the chances of your resume getting noticed and, eventually, a call for an interview.

Also Read: Job Application Email

Job Application Follow Up Email Samples

The following follow up email samples will give you a clear idea of how you can go about getting your resume noticed.  Bear in mind that the best time to send a follow up email after a job application is one to two weeks after you’ve submitted it.

Follow Up Email Example 1

Follow Up Email Example 2

Follow Up Email After Interview

How To Follow Up On A Job Application

As a follow up email after a job interview is a formal exercise, there is certain email etiquette that you need to follow. The follow up email writing tips should help you in drafting a compelling and effective one.

Choose An Appropriate Subject Line:

Your email subject line for the follow up should be clear, short and to the point. It should embody the entire purpose of the email in no more than 60 characters or nine words. Choose a simple one like “Following up on the job interview” or “Thanks for your time today!” Remember that the subject line you choose can be the deciding factor of if your email will be opened or not.

Add The Right People:

If there was more than one person who interviewed you for the job, remember to tag them in the email. You can address the main person in charge of the hiring process, and Carbon Copy others who were present.

Use A Formal Salutation:

Unless you know the interviewer personally, we advise that you use a professional salutation such as “Dear Sir/Ma’am” or “Respected Sir/Ma’am”. While many companies prefer to use casual salutations, it is likely that you do not know what the work culture is like yet. So, you can never go wrong with a formal salutation.

Body Of The Email:

When it comes to the body of the email-

• Use formal language from the beginning till the end.
• Start by expressing how grateful you are for their time.
• Personalise the email by talking about a specific topic you may have tackled during the interview or a common interest you and the interviewer might have shared.
• Mention how interested you are in the job.
• Talk about how your unique skills or experience can be beneficial for the company in brief.
• Assure them that they can reach you if they need further information.
• Ask them about the decision timeline.
• Sign off appropriately and add your full name along with your contact information.

Follow Up Email After Interview Samples

Sending a follow up email after your job interview will make a good impression on the employer or person in charge of hiring, further showcasing that you are professional and genuinely interested in the job. Take a look at the follow up email after job interview samples below to have a better understanding of how the email should look like.

Follow Up Email Example 1

Follow Up Email Example 2

Conclusion: While we advise that you follow up after a meeting, job interview or job application, do so only once a week at most. If you constantly nudge the hiring manager, they may see you as someone who is impatient and unprofessional, someone not many people would want to work with.

Just remember to keep the follow up email brief, concise and clear. We hope this article helps you in writing an impactful follow up email.

We will leave you here with our best wishes!

Good luck!

Also Read: How To Write Salary Negotiation Email