Follow Up Email

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for some advice on how to follow up after sending my resume to a contact I have. He is someone who has met me for lunch a few times, and has told me I have a good background and would be a good fit at the firm. A position opened up and he sent my resume on to his boss, who is responsible for hiring.

The problem is its been three weeks and I haven't heard anything. I'm not sure the best way to follow up.

Any suggestions?

I appreciate any help.

35 Comments
 

3 weeks is def. too long to wait (for future reference, in my opinion). Also, I always like to follow up to something like that with a quick e-mail followed by a phone call a couple days later if you do not hear back. If you know the person well and feel comfortable with them, always follow up with a call b/c you get a direct answer and don't have to worry if your e-mail was ignored / lost in the piles / etc...

 

Is this being too direct?

Hi xxx,

I just wanted to follow up to see if there was any interest in my resume. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Best,

xxx

 
Best Response

Two options:

1) They got really busy and probably forgot to send you the contacts.

2) They looked at your resume and thought it was too unimpressive to refer to their colleagues because it would make them look bad.

It could be either scenario but you have nothing to lose with following up.

Something like:

"________,

Thanks again for taking the time to hop on the phone with me last week. It was great to hear about ______ and ______. I wanted to follow up with you in regards to our phone call - you mentioned that ______ would be a great person to talk to and I was wondering if you put me in touch with them. I really appreciate your time and thanks again ___(insert their name).

Best, ________ "

 

or it could also be that they have your resume and they have already send it to the hiring manager.

Getting back to you, even though is a nice gesture, isn't necessary.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

Just say thank you for forwarding your resume and his kind words. And also mention that you will keep the VP updated as the recruiting season progresses.

If you are not already aware, this referral will now land you an interview, from where you are on your own.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

I think two weeks is safe enough to see what's up without coming across as impatient/pushy. I always hated that about networking, the people can't even send a response saying "got your resume", let alone getting back to you after reading the email.

Did you fly over my helmet?
 

Since summer recruiting will be done with this time next month, I think you should politely follow-up.  You are dealing with busy people.  Perhaps you just slipped their minds.

 

Did they actually use the phrase "see if it was worth their time to speak to them"?

If so, I have to ask, why do you want to work with/for a person like that?

 

@

He replied minutes before I was prepared to send out my follow up this afternoon. I guess it was a non-issue afterall.

@"swingswipe" I was taken aback to. However, I would say that his tone changed after I submitted my credentials. He's probably a BSD and doesn't want his time wasted by someone who has no chance to even work for his firm?

i'm not smart enough to do everything, but dumb enough to try anything
 

At least two weeks. Chances are he did in fact forward the resume but HR is the one dragging their feet.

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 

Is this particular MD the hiring manager for the role you are targeting?

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

Agree with @cruncharoo it typically took two to three weeks for anything to happen with me ever. HR is slow as all hell. Wait until the end of the week and reach out, he probably will have some downtime towards the end of the week and might be better to get his attention

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Stay on him, but don't annoy him. I'd say wait 10-14 business days before following up. Also, it's mid-August, so there's a chance he or his MD colleagues could be out on vacation, hence, the slow response. Just remember HR does what they're told to do - they don't have any real pull nor do they control any pursestrings...

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

IMO - Call him Friday at 9:15 AM. Mention your contact up front, mention your interest in the job succiently, ask whether you got the resume and whether there was anything else you can provide him with - references, writing samples, cover letter? Should you reach out to someone who will actually be the one hiring? He'll say no, you thank him for his time say you hope he has a great weekend, I hear the weather will be nice.

Anyway, just what I would do

"I am not sure who this 'Anonymous' person is - one thing is for certain, they have been one hell of a prolific writer" - Anonymous
 

Mollitia sunt doloremque exercitationem deserunt fuga reiciendis quas. Quia sit voluptas ut quisquam quam. Voluptas possimus sequi magni consequatur modi doloremque.

 

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