In the case of spontaneous applications, it is the job seeker who sends the resume to a company with the expectation of being contacted in the future if a vacancy arises that fits the professional profile.
The most you can hope for is to receive an informative email and in this case it is in the best case, because most companies do not send any response.
In this case, it does not make much sense to continue to insist or send an email again to confirm that you have received the CV. So much insistence can have the opposite effect and the company may feel that it is not a valuable professional by showing so much anxiety.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule. For example, the case of someone who sent a personalized cover letter to the director of a company and was referenced by 2 contacts from the company’s branch .
The email was sent, but three weeks later there was still no reply. In these circumstances, a follow-up letter can be prepared in which some ideas like these can be used:
- The purpose of this contact is to follow up on an email I sent
- I didn’t receive a reply and I wanted to make sure that I received the email correctly.
- I contacted on the recommendation of 2 people (company name: name of the person and function and name of the other person and function.
Follow-up via telephone call
Before a face-to-face job interview, there may be a brief telephone contact so that it is possible to understand the suitability of the candidate to the minimum requirements of the job and to assess whether it is pertinent to participate in a job interview.
Follow-up of the application after the job interview or tests
How long do I wait before contacting the company to follow up on the application? There are no fixed rules or consensus on this topic.
At the end of the job interview, the recruiter will be able to give a reference of the estimated time until the next call for interviews or for the completion of the process.
Take these dates as a reference. If you have no guidance at this level, the most prudent thing is to wait 2 to 3 weeks before contacting the company.
How to follow up the application?
Email is the best way, avoid phone calls, it is true that it may seem more direct but it is also more intrusive and will not guarantee that the recruiter is willing to answer at the moment. The subject may be entitled “Follow-up of candidacy for vacancy XXXX”. You can start with a greeting and it doesn’t even have to be very formal. For example: “Good morning John Mbau or Dear John”.
In the email, place the recruiter in the right context, mentioning the vacancy you are applying for and the date of the interview or test: “Last April 2, I was in your office to conduct a job interview for the position of Account Manager” .
Then request information on the status of the application. Thank the attention and make a cordial dismissal.
Thank you e-mail: if the following day to conduct the job interview send a thank you e-mail you will be fostering a bond with the recruiter and thus facilitating a response.
Other processes: If you were one of the preferred candidates you can force a quicker response if during the interview you notice that your profile is valued in the job market and that you have several opportunities in your portfolio.
This argument can also be used in the follow-up letter, say that the position interests you and that you are retaining a professional decision until you receive confirmation, but that you need to know to make a decision in the face of other proposals. If, despite sending a follow-up email, the company does not respond, it is best not to insist any more. Not worth it.
