The Web is a great place to find and apply for jobs. You can send your résumé to a dozen companies in just minutes. But what comes next? Is it just a waiting game, or are there follow-up methods you can use to increase your response rate?
Steve Kobs, a human resources manager at Hanley-Wood Custom Publishing, a Minneapolis-based marketing communications firm, offers this advice: "If you'd like to follow up with a company after submitting your résumé, one week later is a reasonable time to do it," he says.
And the best way to follow up?
"I prefer e-mail," says Kobs. "If you call me on the phone and ask if we've made a hiring decision, you put me in an awkward position if I have to tell you bad news ... or if I've forgotten who you are. Candidates who follow up by e-mail show respect for my time, which I appreciate," he says.
Andrea Hoover, CEO of JobLynx Online (www.joblynx.com), offers additional ways to set yourself apart when applying for jobs online.
"First, when submitting résumés online, be sure to use a professional-looking e-mail address, not the one at work or a cutesy one like ilikebowling@gutterballs.com."
Her follow-up methods, which are more aggressive than what an HR professional might suggest, include the following:
· The day after you submit your resume to a company, e-mail them a quick note asking if they received and were able to read your resume, or if they require a different format for their database.
· The day after that, print and send a stationery version of your resume by US Mail to the hiring authority, along with a copy to any other company contacts, for review and filing for future opportunities.
· One week after your initial contact, send an e-mail to the hiring authority inquiring if you can supply any further information not included in your original resume.
· Finally, around 10 days after your online application, send another e-mail asking for the phone number of the hiring authority, since you are considering several other offers. Attach your resume to this e-mail so they won't need to hunt for it. And ask for a convenient time to contact them for a brief phone interview.
Whatever method you use, your goal in following up aggressively is to sell your abilities and experience. Push for the face-to-face interview as soon as possible. And get that job!
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
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