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Kristine Penning
October 12, 2015
Newsletter Article
Getting personally in touch with your potential employer can help sift out your name from their pile of resumes. Do some research and find out the contact information of the person who will be reviewing your materials and possibly interviewing you. However, if you’re unable to locate the information, it’s better to send no correspondence than to send it to the wrong contact.
Greeting & Thank You Cards
In the digital age, tangible mail is an exciting thing to receive, and hand-written notes are even more exciting. Consider sending your potential employer a hand-written note thanking them for taking a look at your application materials. Here’s an example: “Thank you so much for taking time to review my resume and cover letter. I wanted to once again express my interest in this position. I feel that I am an excellent fit for both the job and the company, and I would love to discuss my experiences and skills with you when you begin scheduling interviews. Best of luck with your search.
Time permitting, it’s also memorable to receive a hand-written thank you note following an interview. Some job seekers who have paid close attention to their interviewer might also pick up on other reasons to send a card. For example, if your interviewer was ill and had to reschedule the interview, send a get-well-soon card.
E-mails
Keep in mind that e-mails take less effort and can be less personable, so they are less likely to impress than a hand-written note, but at times it is more appropriate than a phone call to get an employer’s attention. It’s nice to follow up after submitting your applications materials by saying something similar to what you might include in a hand-written note. It’s also nice to follow up with an e-mail following the interview if you are unable to send a thank you card.
Phone Calls
A phone call can make a memorable impression if there’s not a specific job listing you are interested in and have applied to. Job seekers sometimes make cold calls to companies of interest to them just to see if they have any job openings or if they can take a tour of their facility. It’s a way to get your foot in the door and help that company remember you.
If there is indeed a position you’re interested in and you’ve applied, however, the opposite applies. It’s better to be patient unless a substantial amount of time has gone by since you submitted your application. Employers are busy and would rather not be bogged down with phone calls that require immediate attention.
