A job search, like any other marketing effort, requires repeated product exposure to the buyer. For this reason follow-up efforts are critical to successfully obtaining interviews and ultimately landing the job. No matter how well your resume is written, the belief that submitting it will get you an interview with no further effort is a mistake that must be avoided.
Prior to obtaining any interview your follow-up should be by written correspondence (email, or snail mail if necessary). It is very difficult to make a meaningful connection by phone with the individual who has your resume that will effectively market you at this point in the process. A follow up letter will provide an opportunity to re-establish your marketing brand, reiterate your interest in the job, place your greatest strengths in front of the employer, and to ask for that interview once again. This must be done in a manner that avoids the appearance of repetition and maximizes your value to the employer.
A follow-up letter should be sent out (together with another copy of your resume) when you haven't heard from an employer within two weeks after submitting a resume and cover letter and you fit the open position very closely or a response was promised by the specific employer. You should repeat this action again after the fourth week unless you have received a rejection letter or the position has been closed.
Prior to obtaining any interview your follow-up should be by written correspondence (email, or snail mail if necessary). It is very difficult to make a meaningful connection by phone with the individual who has your resume that will effectively market you at this point in the process. A follow up letter will provide an opportunity to re-establish your marketing brand, reiterate your interest in the job, place your greatest strengths in front of the employer, and to ask for that interview once again. This must be done in a manner that avoids the appearance of repetition and maximizes your value to the employer.
A follow-up letter should be sent out (together with another copy of your resume) when you haven't heard from an employer within two weeks after submitting a resume and cover letter and you fit the open position very closely or a response was promised by the specific employer. You should repeat this action again after the fourth week unless you have received a rejection letter or the position has been closed.
Copyright © 2009, Michael G. Kelly
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