Tips on Following Up After You Send a Resume

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Bottom line: follow up if you want the job, don't follow up if you don't want it. I'd rather see people over follow up and receive a response back from someone -- whether a yes or no -- than hardly or not follow up, which is evidence you don't seem to really want the job. You need to imagine yourself literally doing the job and actually GET the job, rather than just assuming it will fall into your lap because you have qualifications on paper.

Benji of IL 10:45PM July 09, 2012

The days of Dear Sir or Madam are over. Between the Internet and various other business directories, it's usually possible to at least narrow down the name of the appropriate person. When a printed directory was the only thing available, a generic greeting was more appropriate. Using the right name shows initiative.
Also, if it says no phone calls, I have still called in order to get an address. Thanks to the Internet, no calls can really mean no calls. The lack of an address can be a valid test. If you aren't smart enough to figure it out, then you may not be qualified for the position.
Bring several pens.

Scott Hedrick of FL 6:41PM December 11, 2010

Doug, if the job post clearly states "no phone calls, please" it's probably not a good idea to call various times unless you know the person hiring for the position. There's still no reason you couldn't follow up via e-mail.
D. King - in some cases, you might not be able to follow up. Just because the contact information isn't present shouldn't keep you from doing some additional digging. Use LinkedIn to research the company and its employees to make an educated guess as to who is hiring manager or the HR agent managing the search.

Lindsay Olson of NY 8:50PM October 29, 2010

Everyone should always send a thank you note (not a letter) in card format, preferably some type of personal stationary. Has no one ever read Emily Post's etiquette books?

mellie of CT 2:28AM October 29, 2010

I have applied for several positions online recently and as I have not interviewed for a position in over nine years I'm at a loss on how to follow up with company job board positions where hiring manager information is not present.
Any suggestions?

D. King of IL 10:11AM October 25, 2010

What do you do when it states; do not call for information or up dates on the position. Only people selected will be notified.
Is it not true if you do not respect the companies statement, you may not advance?
How do you work for a job when a recruit service calls you and says that the job that I applied for ( Iam too highly qualified for)

Doug Perkins 10:17PM October 21, 2010

I strongly agree with following up. I applied at a company and procrastinated on my followup. I finally went to the company the next week and talked with the hiring manager. I am sure glad I went in ,she had already organized her last group interview but after reviewing my resume called and asked me to join. I got the job!

Tami of ID 2:42PM October 19, 2010

Lindsay ~ As always, excellent and practical advice. Seems like I devote half my conversations with my PR students/advisees at Curry College to the "fine art of follow-up." Your advice mirrors what I say. Hopefully, between the two of us, they'll see the light! Thanks!
Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRSA
Associate Professor of Communication, Curry College

Kirk Hazlett of MA 10:25AM October 11, 2010

Thanks for your post on following up with an employer after submitting a resume. This is an issue that is highly debated. It is difficult to know if and when an applicant should follow up, and how to go about it. In this economic downturn, this question has been even more emphasized. While applicants do not want to be desperate or annoying, they still want to politely remind the employer that they have submitted a resume and determine if there will be a next step. This is why I enjoyed your post so much – it offered great advice to students and professionals alike. Anyone who has or plans to submit a resume can appreciate your post.

Amanda of FL 2:14AM October 09, 2010