Writing an effective application follow-up letter can be a challenge, yet it’s the perfect opportunity to show potential employers that you are organized, motivated, and a go-getter. Knowing how to write an application follow-up letter can help you make that great first impression and move one step closer to landing your dream job. Here, you will find all the tools you need to craft a successful application follow-up letter.
1. Understand the Purpose of Your Letter
The main purpose of a follow-up letter is to reiterate your interest in the job. It’s also the perfect opportunity to thank the recruiter or hiring manager for reviewing your application and to provide any additional information you believe would be helpful in the selection process.
Who Should You Address the Letter To?
In most cases, you should address the letter to the contact person you sent your application to. If you’re not sure who that was, you should attempt to find the name of the hiring manager. If all else fails, address the letter to the company’s Human Resources department.
What Format Should You Use?
Your follow-up letter should be professional and should follow standard business letter formatting. Use a standard font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri, and use a 11 or 12 font size to make sure that it’s legible.
When is the Right Time to Send a Follow-up Letter?
Ideally, you should send your follow-up letter within one week of submitting your job application. This shows that you are organized and motivated to get the job. Most recruiters and employers appreciate when applicants take the time to follow-up in a timely manner.
2. Choose the Right Tone
When writing your follow-up letter, use a polite and friendly tone. Avoid being overly aggressive or using language that is too informal. When addressing the hiring manager, it’s important to show that you understand the company culture and language.
Be Positive and Professional
You should use the tone of the letter to demonstrate your professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge for the position you are applying for. Try to sound confident and be proactive in your communication. Make sure that the tone of the letter is positive and upbeat.
Watch Your Grammar
When writing your follow-up letter, make sure to double-check spelling and grammar. Poorly written letters are often discarded quickly and can make a negative impression to the recruiters and hiring managers.
Include Examples
When possible, you should use examples to showcase why you are the right candidate for the position. Showcasing your past accomplishments and experiences can demonstrate to recruiters and hiring managers that you have the right set of skills for the job.
3. Customize Your Letter
Customizing your letter is an important step in the follow-up process. You want to make sure that the content of your letter is unique and that it stands out from other applicants.
Know the Company
You should research the company before writing your letter. Make sure to read up on recent news and any career positions they currently have listed. Having a good understanding of the company will help you craft a more effective follow-up letter.
Customize the Content
You should customize the content of your follow-up letter to make sure it is relevant to the specific job you are applying for. You should also include information about your skills and qualifications that are related to the job you are applying for.
Include Keywords
Include keywords in your letter to show recruiters and hiring managers that you understand the company and what they are looking for in a candidate. Also, make sure to include relevant skills and experiences that may be of interest to the company.
4. Follow-up Questions
People also ask:
What Should I Include in a Follow-up Letter?
A follow-up letter should consist of a polite salutation, a thank you statement, an explanation as to why you are a strong candidate for the position, and clarification on any additional information.
When Should I Follow-up after Submitting an Application?
It’s best to follow-up within one week after submitting your job application. This demonstrates to the hiring manager that you are organized, motivated and interested in the position.
How Can I Make My Follow-up Letter Stand Out?
You can make your follow-up letter stand out by customizing the content of the letter and including relevant keywords. Additionally, you should include examples that showcase why you are the right candidate for the job.
What Format Should I Use for My Follow-up Letter?
Your follow-up letter should be formatted as a standard business letter. This includes your contact information, the date, the contact information of the hiring manager, an appropriate salutation, opening paragraph, informative body paragraphs, and closing paragraph.
Conclusion
Writing an effective follow-up letter after submitting an application is essential to success in the job search process. It’s the perfect opportunity to highlight your skills and qualifications, and to demonstrate to employers that you are organized and motivated to get the job. Following these steps for writing a successful follow-up letter will ensure that you make a great impression and stand out from other applicants.