How to Follow Up on Your Job Application

The Covid-19 crisis has changed–and continues to change-the way we live and work. According to JobStreet’s latest report, two out of five employees in Singapore have had their livelihood interrupted, resulting in 57% of those surveyed actively searching and applying for jobs. The report also mentioned that despite the dramatic changes in job applications during the pandemic, jobseekers in Singapore can expect brisk recruitment activities coming up, with three out of four companies surveyed expecting to hire this 2021.

Regardless of which stage of the hiring process you are in, following up on your job application could give you that edge in the increasingly competitive job market. Whether you are inclined to do it or not, you need to realise that this step can make or break your job application.

We have created email templates that will help you come across as polite yet confident, excited and not desperate, when following up on the status of your job application.

Following up after a lodging a job application

When to send it: 1-2 weeks after sending your application

Why this helps: Employers look for candidates who are genuinely excited about the role and sending a short follow-up is one of the easiest ways to demonstrate that. Sending this email will help ensure that the company received your application.

Email subject line:Application follow-up – [Job title]

Dear [Ms. or Mr. followed up by their surname],

I hope you had a restful weekend, and that this email finds you well.

My name is [Insert your name as it appears on your resume] and last week I applied for the position of [Job title] via JobStreet. I am sending this email to inquire if your good office received my application.

Working for [Name of company] has been my long-time aspiration so when I found out that the [Job title] role was available, I was thrilled to send my application since I have a strong professional background and valuable work experience that is quite relevant to the role.

Should there be further information that I need to disclose to help in processing my application, please let me know as I will be more than happy to provide these.

Thank you and have a great day.

Best regards,

[Your name]

[Your contact details]

You can click here if you would like to get tips on applying for Work From Home jobs

Following up on the day of your interview

When to send it: Immediately after your interview

Why this helps: Even if it is not quite a follow-up after your interview, sending a “thank you” is one more thing that will leave a good impression on your interviewer.

Email subject line: Thank you for your time, [Name of Interviewer]

Dear [Ms. or Mr. followed up by their surname],

I would like to say thank you for making time to meet with me about the [Job title] role. Learning how the [Job title] makes an impact in your organisation was most interesting to me.

The information you shared validated that my experience in [give an appropriate example] and my interest in [give an appropriate example] will allow me to be a contributor to the success of your company.

It would be great to continue our discussion, so please let me know what further details would be helpful to you.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Again, thanks.

[Your Name]

[Your contact details]

Following up when you have not received a response after your interview

When to send it: 1-2 weeks after your interview

Why this helps: Not only will an email to find out why you have not heard back after your interview will give you peace of mind, it will also show your employer that you are motivated and self-directed, traits that can make you a valuable asset in any organisation.

Email subject line: Checking in re [Job title] – [Your name]

Dear [Ms. or Mr. followed up by their surname],

It was great to speak with you last [insert date of your interview] when I interviewed for the [job title] role.

Would you know when your company plans to fill in the post? I am quite excited to join your company and I am confident that my work experience will bring value to your current team.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can provide to help in your decision-making process.

Thank you,

[Your name]

[Contact details]

Job applications don’t always go as planned, so click here for tips on handling career setbacks

Here are more tips on following up

• Write in a way that suits the business environment of the company

Use more formal language if the company is conservative, and make your email more conversational and candid if they are more casual.

• Avoid too many follow-ups

If the employer has been unresponsive after several days, you may want to check if you have the correct email address, or even consider looking at your other career options.

• Practise the virtue of patience

Understand that employers are handling tasks other than recruitment. Though it is good to follow up, make sure you don’t come across desperate, or worse, harassing your hirer.

When it comes to the job application process, it is important to maintain an edge and stand out from the sea of applicants. Sending a follow-up email shows you are interested to know where you figure in their hiring process.

Before you follow up on your job application, take the time to review the job posting. There are some employers who will specify the date of when you will get a response, while others will discourage applicants from asking about the status of a candidate’s application. It might also happen that the information about the job is no longer available. If the latter happens, it would be a good jump-off point for your follow up email. In addition, update your MyJobStreet Profile to keep your details current, making it easy for potential employers to get in touch with you.

Start finding#JobsThatMatterto you on our website or mobile app. Remember to add#WorkNowto your profile to let employers know that you are readily available for employment. You can also go to JobStreet’s Career Resources Hub to get expert advice to help guide you through your career journey.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation.

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

About SEEK Asia

SEEK Asia , a combination of two leading brands JobStreet and JobsDB, is the leading job portal and Asia’s preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia’s presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world’s largest job portal by market capitalisation. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year.

About SEEK Limited

SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people’s lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.