How to Make a Follow-Up Call for a Job
After sending out dozens of resumes, you might be wondering if you should follow up. According to Randall Hansen, founder of Quint Careers, a company that provides career advice, following up is essential when searching for a job. When following up for a job on the telephone, it’s important to be prepared to answer the employer’s questions and secure a potential interview.
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Instructions
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Create a cheat sheet before making the follow-up telephone call. This will keep you on topic when calling the hiring manager. List three to five points that you want to talk about with the hiring manager. Discuss your qualifications that most closely match the job description. Keep your resume close by in case the employer has questions.
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Make the follow-up call from a place that is quiet and doesn’t have distractions. This might mean putting dogs outside (so they can’t bark at the mailman) or having a spouse watch children. Making these arrangements will make the call less stressful, which allows you to make a better impression.
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Ask the hiring manager if he needs additional information. Offer to furnish letters of recommendation or other materials of interest to the hiring manager. If you received a recent award, don’t forget to mention this to the employer. If the manager requests additional materials, forward the documents quickly. Then, follow up to ensure the manager received the materials.
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Ask for a job interview. Before getting off the telephone, thank the manager for her time. Ask to arrange a time to discuss the job further and your qualifications. Explain your enthusiasm for the position and ask about the next step in the process.
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Tips & Warnings
Respect the hiring manager’s time when making the telephone call. If you make the conversation too lengthy, the hiring manager might decide not to invite you to attend an interview.
Don’t wait too long to follow up. According to Quint Careers, job applicants should follow up within seven to 10 days of sending their application materials. When sending online resumes, consider following up even sooner.
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