A resume follow up letter is a vital document that job seekers use to inquire about their job application status or to thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Not sending a follow-up letter could cost you the chance of getting that job you desire.
In this article, we will provide you with essential tips on how to write a resume follow up letter, including 11 ready samples to guide you.
What is a Resume Follow Up Letter?
A resume follow up letter is a formal document you send after you’ve submitted your application for a job position. The purpose of a follow-up letter is to show your interest in the job, express gratitude for the interview, and inquire about the job status. It also provides an opportunity for the employer to know more about you and your skills.
A follow-up letter is a way to push your application to the top of your interviewer’s mind, increase the chances of being hired, and leave a lasting impression. Let’s delve into the essential steps to craft an outstanding resume follow up letter.
Tips for Writing a Resume Follow Up Letter
- Be Professional: Always use professional language and format while drafting your letter. The formality of your tone will depend on the context, the interviewer’s preference, and the company culture. Avoid using informal language and emojis. Keep it simple, clear, and concise.
- Send It on Time: Sending your follow-up letter too soon or too late could harm your chances of getting hired. A good rule of thumb is to send it a week after the interview, but it’s advisable to inquire about their preference. If you had a preliminary phone interview, you could send an email the next day to show your interest.
- Provide More Information: Use your follow-up letter to provide more information about yourself, clarify any miscommunication that occurred during the interview, and add any relevant skills you forgot to mention initially.
- Use Proper Grammar: Poor grammar and spelling mistakes can eliminate a candidate from the running. Proofread your letter before sending it to ensure it’s error-free. You can use online grammar checkers like Grammarly to rectify spelling and grammatical errors.
- Customize Your Follow-Up Letter: Personalization is key when crafting a follow-up letter. Address your interviewer by their name, use specific details shared during the interview, and highlight your interest in the company and position.
- Reiterate Your Interest: Show your interest in working for the company and reiterate why you’re the best candidate for the job. Use your follow-up letter to explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job position.
- Keep It Concise: Keep your letter as brief, informative, and concise as possible. Use high-impact phrases to emphasize your qualifications and focus on the main points of your message.
- Attach Relevant Documents: If you have any certificates, sample work, or other relevant documents that could showcase your skills, don’t hesitate to attach them to your follow-up letter.
- Include Your Contact Information: Provide your contact information at the end of the letter so that your interviewer can reach you quickly.
- Be Grateful: End your follow-up letter with a thank-you note, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be interviewed.
- Follow Up Carefully: If you don’t receive a response within a week, send a gentle reminder through a follow-up email. Avoid coming off as pushy.
Now that you have the tips let’s look at some samples to guide your writing.
Following Up After an Initial Phone Interview
Subject: Follow-Up – Finance Officer Position Dear [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you for chatting with me about the Finance Officer position. I am writing to follow up regarding the progress of my application. The [company Name] is my number one choice for [industry] roles, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to advance my career with your organization. I believe my skills, experience, and track record align well with the position's requirements. In case you require any additional information or documentation from me, please let me know. Thank you again for taking the time to talk with me about this great opportunity, and I hope to hear back from you soon about the interview progress. Sincerely, [Your Name]
For More: Write a Best Follow-Up Letter After Second Interview with [5 Examples]
Following Up After In-Person Interview
Subject: Follow-Up – Marketing Director Position Dear [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you for taking the time to meet me and interview me for the Marketing Director position. I appreciated the insight you gave me and enjoyed our discussion. I am following up to inquire if any additional information or documentation is required to advance my application formally? I am excited to contribute my experience, skills, and expertise for the benefit of your organization. If you require more information or documentation from me in regards to the job application, please let me know. I have attached my resume and cover letter for your reference. Again, thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Marketing Director role. I am excited about the possibility of joining the [Company Name] team and contributing to its growth and success. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Following up after interview but not hearing back
Subject: Follow-Up – Sales Manager Position Dear [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Sales Manager position at [Company Name]. I hope this letter finds you well. It has been a week since our interview. I wanted to follow up and inquire about the progress of my application. Have you made any hiring decisions, and can I provide further information to support your evaluation of my candidacy? I remain very interested in the position and am looking forward to contributing my passion for sales management at your organization. Please let me know if there is anything else I can provide you with to help with your decision-making process. Thank you again for your consideration of my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Following up after interview, expressing gratitude
Subject: Follow-Up and Thank You – Human Resources Manager Position Dear [Interviewer’s Name], I wanted to personally thank you for taking the time to interview me for the Human Resources Manager position at [Company Name]. I was glad to learn more about the organization and had a great experience discussing everything with you. I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience and qualifications with you. I look forward to hearing about the progress of my application and any further opportunities to discuss the position and my candidacy. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide or if you have any questions. Thank you again for the opportunity, and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name]
For More: Write a Best Follow-Up Letter for Job Application: 5 Samples
Following up the status of job application
Subject: Following up on status of job application Dear [Interviewer's Name], I am writing in regards to the position I applied for, [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to know if there has been any progress on the evaluation of my application. I am still very interested in the role and would be excited to contribute my [Skills or Qualifications] to your organization. If you require any additional information or documentation to evaluate my candidacy, please let me know. I am looking forward to the possibility of joining your amazing team soon. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best Regards, [Your Name]
Thank-You Note After Rejection
Subject: Thank You – Marketing Coordinator Position Dear [Interviewer's Name], I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Marketing Coordinator position at [Company Name]. While I was disappointed that I was not selected for the role, I appreciate the time you spent interviewing me and sharing insights into the marketing department at [Company Name]. The discussion was informative and insightful, and it has further motivated me to pursue a career in marketing. I would appreciate any feedback you could provide me on what I could have done better in the application and interview process. I believe this feedback would improve my candidacy for future opportunities. Thank you again for the opportunity. I hope we can stay in touch if future opportunities arise at [Company Name]. Best Regards, [Your Name]
Following up with a referral
Subject: Follow up on referral Dear [Interviewer's Name], I hope this message finds you doing well. My good friend [Referral Name] suggested I contact you about the [Job Title] position at [company name]. I have attached my resume and cover letter for your consideration. I would appreciate any feedback or consideration you could offer me regarding the position. I am very interested in working for your organization, and I believe my experience in [Skills] would make me a strong fit for the role. Please let me know if you require more information from me or if there is an appropriate time for me to call and discuss the position further. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best Regards, [Your Name]
Following up with additional information
Subject: Additional Information– Customer Service Representative Position Dear [Interviewer's Name], I thoroughly enjoyed our recent interview for the Customer Service Representative position at [Company Name]. Thank you for your time and consideration as you evaluate my candidacy. I forgot to mention during the interview that I have experience working with [Specific software or equipment] that I believe would be advantageous in the role. I have attached a copy of my certification for this software. Thank you once again for the opportunity to interview for the position. I am excited about the possibility of joining your team at [Company Name] and contributing my skills to the organization. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide or if you have any questions. Best Regards, [Your Name]
For More: Write a Best Follow-Up Letter After a Phone Interview: 11 Samples
Following up after multiple interviews
Subject: Following up – Marketing Manager Dear [Interviewer's Name], I hope this email finds you well. It has been two weeks since the last interview, and I wanted to follow up regarding the progress of my application for Marketing Manager at [Company Name]. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with the company and contribute my skills to the team. I believe my qualifications, experience, and knowledge align well with the position requirements and would make me an asset to the organization. Please let me know if there is any information or documentation you require from me to advance the job application process. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Following up, expressing enthusiasm for the company
Subject: Following up – Customer Service Specialist Dear [Interviewer's Name], I wanted to follow up on the position of Customer Service Specialist at [Company Name], which I had the pleasure of interviewing for recently. I am genuinely interested in this opportunity and the company's mission and vision. The chance to work with a team committed to [core value] while contributing my skills to the company is very exciting to me. I am very eager to hear back from you regarding the progress of my application and any further opportunities to discuss the position with you. Thank you for the opportunity to interview, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best Regards, [Your Name]
Follow-up, highlighting achievements
Subject: Following up – Senior Project Manager Dear [Interviewer's Name], I hope this email finds you well. It's been two weeks since my interview for the Senior Project Manager Position at [Company Name], and I wanted to follow up and inquire about the progress of my application. I am excited about the possibilities of contributing my skills and experience to the organization. Specifically, I wanted to highlight my experience in managing large projects that involve cross-functional teams. In my current role at [Current Company], I have led projects that resulted in an average of 10% revenue growth each year. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide or any further opportunities to discuss the position and my qualifications with you. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Key Takeaways
- A follow-up letter is critical in promoting your candidate’s relevance to the job position.
- Be professional, use proper grammar, and customize the follow-up letter.
- Reiterate your interest in the position and highlight why you’re the best candidate.
- Provide additional information, clarification, or attachment of relevant documents to your follow-up letter.
- Follow the employer’s instructions and timeframe, and don’t be pushy.
Conclusion
By following the tips and using the samples provided above, you’ll be able to craft an outstanding resume follow-up letter that will help you stand out from other applicants and stay top of mind with hiring managers.
Whether you’re following up after a phone interview or an in-person interview, expressing gratitude for the opportunity or inquiring about the status of your job application, use these samples and tips to craft a tailored follow-up letter that showcases your professionalism, interest, and qualifications.
Remember, a well-crafted follow-up letter is a powerful tool in making a positive and lasting impression on potential employers.
