When you apply for a job, it doesn’t end with submitting your resume and waiting for the employer to call you back. In most cases, you need to follow up with your application to show your interest in the job and potentially set yourself apart from the other candidates. A follow-up letter can make a significant impact on the hiring manager’s decision-making process and may help you secure an interview. In this guide, we will show you how to write a follow-up letter after application, including 9 ready samples.
What is a Follow-Up Letter After Application?
A follow-up letter is a type of communication that you send after submitting your application to show your interest and enthusiasm for the job. It’s an additional opportunity to highlight your qualifications and skills that make you the best fit for the position. A follow-up letter can be sent in various formats, such as an email, thank-you note, or formal letter.
When to Send a Follow-Up Letter After Application?
The timing for sending a follow-up letter will depend on the job posting’s deadline and the employer’s communication style. It’s essential to balance between being enthusiastic and patient, as sending too many follow-ups may be perceived as pestering. Here are some general guidelines on when to send a follow-up letter:
- If the job posting includes a deadline, wait for at least a week after the deadline to follow up.
- If the job posting doesn’t include a deadline, wait for 7-10 days before following up.
- If the employer specified a time frame for the hiring process, wait for a few days after the deadline.
For More: Write a Best Follow-Up Letter After Job Application [5+ Templates]
How to Write a Follow-Up Letter After Application?
When writing a follow-up letter after application, it’s essential to include the right information, format your message professionally, and highlight your skills and qualifications. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write a follow-up letter:
Step 1: Determine the Format
Before you start writing the follow-up letter, you need to determine the format you will use. There are three common formats for a follow-up letter:
- Email: This is the most common format for a follow-up letter. It’s quick and easy to send, and you can attach documents such as your resume or cover letter.
- Thank-you note: This format is suitable for shorter follow-up messages. A thank-you note is typically handwritten and sent through regular mail or handed to the interviewer in person.
- Formal letter: This format is more appropriate for more extended follow-ups or if you want to emphasize your professionalism. A formal letter should be typed and printed on high-quality paper.
Step 2: Start with a Professional Greeting
When writing a follow-up letter, you need to start with a professional greeting. Address the hiring manager using their name and title. Avoid using informal salutations such as “Hey” or “Hiya.” Here’s an example of a professional greeting:
Dear Mr. Smith,
Step 3: Express Your Gratitude
Start your follow-up letter by expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to apply for the job. Thank the employer for their time and consideration. Here are some examples:
- Thank you for considering my application for the position of Marketing Manager.
- I appreciate your time reviewing my application for the Marketing Coordinator role.
- Thank you for considering me for the Sales Representative position.
Step 4: Mention Your Qualifications
In the follow-up letter, you need to highlight your qualifications, skills, and experiences. This is your chance to show the employer that you are a perfect fit for the job. Here are some examples:
- I’m confident that my experience in digital marketing and social media management makes me a great fit for the Marketing Manager role.
- As a creative and detail-oriented individual, I believe I’m a strong candidate for the Marketing Coordinator role.
- I’m excited to bring my previous experience in sales and customer service to the Sales Representative position.
Step 5: Ask about the Hiring Process
In your follow-up letter, you need to inquire about the hiring process and the timeline for the next steps. You can politely ask about the status of your application and when you can expect to hear from the employer. Here are some examples:
- I was wondering if you could share any updates regarding the hiring process? I’m eagerly looking forward to hearing about the next steps.
- Could you please inform me of the status of my application? I would be grateful for any updates regarding the timeline for the hiring process.
- I wanted to follow-up on my application for the Sales Representative position. Can you share with me the next steps in the interview process?
Step 6: Restate Your Interest
In the final part of your follow-up letter, you need to reiterate your interest in the job and show enthusiasm about the opportunity. Here are some examples:
- I remain very interested in the Marketing Manager position
- and would love the opportunity to showcase my skills and contribute to your team’s success.
- I’m enthusiastic about the potential to work with your company as a Marketing Coordinator, and I believe my experience and qualifications make me an excellent candidate for the role.
- I’m excited about the opportunity to join your team as a Sales Representative, and I look forward to potentially discussing my candidacy with you further.
For More: Write a Best Follow Up Letter After Final Interview 11 Templates
Step 7: Use a Professional Closing
When ending your follow-up letter, you need to use a professional closing. Thank the hiring manager again for their time, and provide your contact information. Here are some examples:
- Thank you again for your time and consideration. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide. I can be reached at (your email address) or (your phone number).
- I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the role, and I look forward to potentially hearing from you soon. Please feel free to reach out to me at (your email address) or (your phone number) if you require any further information.
- Thank you for your time and consideration. Should you need any additional information or clarification regarding my application, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (your email address) or (your phone number).
9 Ready Samples of Follow-Up Letter After Application
Now that you have an understanding of what a follow-up letter is and how to write one, here are nine ready-to-use samples:
Email Follow-Up Letter
Subject: Following up on my application for the Marketing Manager role Dear Mr. Smith, I hope this message finds you well. I recently applied for the Marketing Manager position at XYZ Company and wanted to follow up on my application. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to apply for this role. I enjoyed learning more about your company and believe that my qualifications and experience could contribute to your team's success. As an experienced marketing professional with over seven years of experience, I'm confident that my skills in digital marketing, brand management, and analytics make me an excellent candidate for the Marketing Manager role. I was wondering if you could provide me with an update regarding the hiring process and the next steps. I'm eagerly looking forward to hearing more about the position and would be grateful for any insight that you could provide. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I appreciate your efforts and look forward to the potential opportunity of discussing my candidacy with you further. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Thank-You Note Follow-Up
Dear Mr. Smith, I enjoyed meeting you earlier this week to discuss the Marketing Coordinator role at XYZ Company. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I remain very interested in the position and believe that my skills in project management, communication, and marketing align well with the job requirements. I was wondering if you could provide me with an update regarding the hiring process and the next steps. I appreciate your time and would be grateful for any insight that you could provide. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to the potential opportunity of joining your team. Best regards, [Your Name]
Formal Letter Follow-Up
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Date] Mr. James Smith XYZ Company 1234 Main Street Anytown, USA 12345 Dear Mr. Smith, I hope this letter finds you well. I submitted my application for the Sales Representative position at XYZ Company and wanted to follow up on my candidacy. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to apply for this role. I enjoyed learning more about your business and believe that my experience in sales and customer service makes me an excellent fit for the Sales Representative position. I am looking forward to hearing about the status of my application and the next steps in the hiring process. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or clarification regarding my candidacy. Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your efforts and look forward to potentially discussing my candidacy with you further. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Follow-Up Letter with Additional Information
Subject: Application for the Marketing Manager role at XYZ Company Dear Mr. Smith, I recently applied for the Marketing Manager position at XYZ Company and wanted to provide you with some additional information that I believe will support my candidacy. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about digital marketing and worked on several successful campaigns. I recently completed a certification in advanced digital marketing techniques, which I believe would add value to your organization. I hope that you find this additional information helpful in your decision-making process. I was wondering if you could provide me with an update regarding the hiring process and the next steps. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I'm excited about the potential opportunity to join your team and contribute to your company's success. Best regards, [Your Name]
Follow-Up Letter After an Interview
Subject: Following up after our interview for the Marketing Coordinator role Dear Mr. Smith, Thank you for taking the time to meet with me earlier this week to discuss the Marketing Coordinator position at XYZ Company. I enjoyed learning more about your company and the job requirements. Our discussion reinforced my strong interest in the position. I would like to highlight my enthusiasm for the team-oriented culture and the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, as it aligns well with my professional goals and experience. I would be grateful for any updates regarding the hiring process and the next steps. Please let me know if there is any additional information that I should provide. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Follow-Up Letter After No Response
Subject: Checking in on the status of my application for the Sales Representative role Dear Hiring Manager, I submitted my application for the Sales Representative position at XYZ Company two weeks ago. I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my candidacy as I am interested in the potential opportunity to join your team. Can you please inform me of the status of my application and the next steps in the hiring process? I would be grateful for any updates or clarification that you can provide. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Follow-Up Letter After a Rejection
Subject: Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the Marketing Manager role Dear Hiring Manager, Thank you for considering my application for the Marketing Manager position at XYZ Company. I appreciate your time and effort in reviewing my qualifications and experience. Although I am disappointed to hear that my candidacy was not selected at this time, I remain interested in the potential opportunity to work at your organization and contribute to its success. If any opportunities arise in the future that align with my qualifications, I would be grateful for your consideration. Thank you again for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Follow-Up Letter After a Referral
Subject: Thanking you for referring me to the Marketing Coordinator position Dear [Referrer’s Name], I wanted to thank you for referring me to the Marketing Coordinator position at XYZ Company. Your accolades and commendations are invaluable, and I am thrilled to have the potential opportunity to work with such a prestigious organization. I want to inform you that I already submitted my application and am excited to see where it takes me. I will update you as the process ensues. Thank you, again, for your efforts, and I hope to keep you updated on my progress. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Follow-Up Letter After a Networking Event
Subject: Following up after meeting at the Networking Event Dear Mr. Smith, It was a pleasure meeting you at the networking event at the XYZ convention last week. I hope you found the event helpful and informative. As a seasoned marketing professional, I am excited about the possibility of contributing to the success of your organisation. I researched more about your products and your mission, and I am impressed with the dedication your institution has placed on improving customer satisfaction. Can you please inform me if there's any relevant opportunity in the near future? As mentioned during our conversation, I am most suited for the role of a Marketing Director, and I believe that with my experience, I can move this company to greater heights. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Key Takeaways
- A follow-up letter is a communication sent after submitting an application to express your interest in the job and potentially set yourself apart from the other candidates.
- Follow-up letters can be sent in various formats, such as an email, thank-you note, or formal letter.
- It’s essential to balance between being enthusiastic and patient, and follow-up letters should be sent at appropriate intervals based on job posting deadlines.
- A professional greeting, expressing gratitude, highlighting qualifications, asking about the hiring process, and restating interest are key components when writing a follow-up letter.
- There are plenty of different follow-up letter templates you can use depending on the specific situation.
By following the guidelines outlined in this guide and using the provided samples, you’ll be able to write effective follow-up letters that enhance your chances of being invited for an interview and potentially landing your dream job.
