Following up on an application in a polite and organised manner can be difficult to approach. A lot of students find difficulty here as they feel they are being a pest to the recruiter or putting pressure on a response. However, this is necessary! You need to show interest and show that you are organised in chasing up leads.

The follow up doesn't start with the call

In order to effectively follow up on an application, you need to set the stage during your previous point of contact. Whether that be the submission of your CV and Cover Letter, or a telephone interview.

State how you are going to follow up and within what time frame. As well as the conditions with which you will do so.

An example would be:

"I will call your office if I don't hear a response within the next 5 working days to ensure my application has been received."

The Call

Knowing what to say in the moment can be difficult for some. Have a rough plan of how you will attack the follow up call.

It will be pretty obvious if you are using a script, so avoid this, but get some practice. Write out a rough plan and then call a friend or a parent and practice how the conversation may play out. Below is a rough guide to planning out the call, try to hit each of the points.

A warm greeting

Whoever answers the phone, even if it is not the recruiter or person that you have previously been in contact with, greet them warmly.

Whoever you talk to within the company will be taking an impression of you and that information is likely to spread. If you have a really positive call, you may find that benefit you later in the process. Be warm and professional, even if you recognise that it is someone completely outside of the recruitment process that you are speaking to, such as a receptionist.

Confirm documents have been received

This step is pretty simple.

State that you have applied to the company and enquire whether your application has been received. State that you want to emphasize your interest in the position on offer.

With any luck, the person you are speaking to will be able to check this for you. If not, you can ask that they pass on the message.

The killer question

Ask whoever has answered the phone if they have an additional moment.

They will almost always say that they do, this is where you drop a killer question.

No matter where they are in the business, hiring manager, member of the team, receptionist, whatever they do. Ask them this question.

"If there is anything I could do to prepare for a role at [Company Name], what would you recommend?"

Right there, you show interest in the company and you show that you appreciate their input.

Don't be content with just asking the question though, pay very close attention to the response.

Write it down, it will come in handy later...

Ending the call

There is no need to drag out the call, let the other person get on with their day. Keep it short and focused.

Thank them for their time and say that you appreciate them answering your questions.

Say, "Take care, bye now." and be on your way.

Job done. Or is it?

Following up on the follow up

You've successfully followed up but how do you maximise the impact of that difficult call?

Make sure you've kept the name of whoever picked up your call noted down somewhere, as well as their answer to your "killer question".

At following stages in the process, slide this into conversation.

Draw attention to how you have spoken to someone else within the business and mention their answer and what you have done in the meantime to improve on what they suggested.

This will really impress. Watch them take notes as you speak.

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