How do you follow up with a recruiter?

1. Email, Don't Call

Between sourcing through thousands of resumes, back-to-back phone screens and interviews, endless administrative tasks, and traveling, recruiters don't have a lot of bandwidth for phone chats on every candidate's status.

So, skip the phone and send an email. It leaves a paper trail, it allows the recruiter time to properly look up your status information, it eliminates those annoying games of phone tag, and it prevents what I call drunk dialing the recruiter. (Nerves replace alcohol, but the result is the same: leaving a lengthy, nonsensical voice mail that hurls any candidacy consideration down the proverbial drain.)

And keep it simple. A few sentences reminding the recruiter of something specific you discussed or asking for information on next steps in the process is the best way to get a response and keep your positive recruiter rapport intact. For example:

"Hi Mary, I applied to the Senior Marketing position 12345 two weeks ago and would like to get some information on the hiring process timeline. I'm very eager to learn more about this position, and any updates you can provide would be greatly appreciated."

1. Show Interest, Not Desperation

Hey, it's okay to show your enthusiasm when following up. But you shouldn't break out the knee pads and start begging for an interview during your initial check-in (I’ve seen it happen). Be subtle and succinct. Remind the recruiter of your interest in the job, and back it up with specific examples of why you'd be a good fit . This doesn't need to be a dissertation or regurgitation of the information on your resume—just 1-2 bullet points that quantify what you bring to the table:

"As I mentioned in my resume, I created strategies that increased market share by 12% in my previous role, and I know I can make the same type of impact in this position."

End. Scene.

1. Don't Invade Personal Space

In other words, don't get too familiar, too soon by being overly casual or personal with the recruiter. Even a great initial interaction with the recruiter doesn't give you license to follow up with social media invites, emails to personal accounts or websites, or asks for recommendations. Recruiters interact with dozens of candidates a week to fill roles, not interview potential BFFs. And they don't appreciate candidates invading their personal cyberspace with inquiries about application statuses or hiring team contact information.

Play it safe and keep it professional. Ask recruiters up front when you should follow up or if they’re comfortable with you reaching back out to ask about your status. Failure to respect personal boundaries could send red flags on your personal judgment or have you labeled as a potential stalker. And that’s risky business for your job search prospects.

At the end of the day, let common courtesy and common sense be your guide. If you haven’t heard anything two weeks after applying to a position, you’re in the safe zone for following up with the recruiter. And if you’ve followed up twice and still get radio silence? Take that as your cue. It’s probably time to move on to the next great opportunity.

Hi Albert,

Would recommend connecting with them on LinkedIn and reference career fair and take it from there.

Thanks,

Preeti

Hi Albert!

The best step to take after such an encounter and after any interview is to send a handwritten thank you note as soon after the interview as possible. Use the small foldover cards that you can get at a drug store. You will stand out, as not many do this. In the card say that you appreciated the opportunity to meet and talk and site something that you remember that was significant in the interview. Then say that you would like to follow up in a few days. That will give you an opening so that you can call in a few days and ask about the next step in the interview process. By saying you would like to follow up it is possible for you to say to the call screener that he expects your call.

When I was doing college recruiting, I did not seriously consider a candidate unless he/she followed up. I had too many people talking with me only to find when following up on the interaction that they really were not interested. If something looks interesting follow up, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Best of luck! I got very few thank you notes during my time in HR, and they really made a difference when I received them. Keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress.

What stands out to me is a card in the mail or a follow up letter. Otherwise the best way would be via email as a lot of us are usually on the phone.