So you’ve submitted a well-crafted application for that medical assistant job you applied for after completing nursing assistant certification with the Allen School. Several days pass and you have heard nothing. Did your application make it to the intended recipient? Did it fall off the edge of the earth into a giant cosmic paper shredder? Did the hiring manager’s dog eat it? What gives? And how can you find out the status of your application without looking desperate or like a creepy stalker? Here are some do’s and don’ts.
DO: Connect with the Hiring Manager
Besides the application you sent to the email address in the job listing, you should make an effort to run down the email address of the hiring manager serving the department in which you’ve applied. Google is your friend. But if the Google search doesn’t yield a name and email, you can try LinkedIn or, perhaps more immediately satisfying, call the switchboard of the organization and simply ask for the hiring manager’s name and email. Make sure you let both the operator and the hiring manager know that you’ve followed instructions first and sent the application as directed. Note that you also wanted to reach out directly to introduce yourself and make sure they’ve received your materials.
DON’T: Be a Creepy Stalker
Checking the status of your application twice daily is a poor idea. Wait maybe 5 business days after applying before following up with the hiring manager to let them know you’re very interested in the position. Better you send an email than make a phone call since it will be less intrusive than interrupting the hiring manager’s day by phone.
DO: Be Clear and Concise in your Message
Say something brief like, “Last week I submitted my candidacy for the _______ position you have available. Just wanted to make sure you’d gotten my application and that there was nothing else I could provide you to aid your decision. I believe I am quite well-matched to the job’s requirements and I would greatly value the opportunity to speak with you when you’re ready to begin interviewing.”
Don’t: Be a Spam Factory
You’ve sent one follow-up message. Now sit on your hands. No matter how anxious, or how much you really REALLY want this job, sending message after message (especially in the absence of any response) make you seem desperate and annoying. Not exactly the kind of person anyone would be excited to hire.
Do: Leverage the Awesome Power of LinkedIn
To find out all the people that work within the organization, simply enter the company name into LinkedIn. You may be surprised how small the professional community can be. Find someone you’re connected with, or even a friend of someone you’re connected with on LinkedIn and ask for a direct introduction to the hiring manager. You can also ask people who work in the company for inside information on the nature of the work and the workplace environment.
Don’t: Stop Looking for a Job
It may seem like the most perfect position for you. The one you’ve dreamed your whole life of landing. But, it is imperative to hedge even the safest of bets by continuing to seek opportunities while your applications wend their way through the hiring process. Despite how well-aligned things sometimes appear, the unexpected is always unexpected. Keep your self open and in play with as many opportunities as you can.
Nursing assistant certification is the first step in landing your dream job in an exciting field. So you’ve submitted a well-crafted application for that medical assistant job you applied for after completing nursing assistant certification with the Allen School. Several days pass and you have heard nothing. Did your application make it to the intended recipient? Did it fall off the edge of the earth into a giant cosmic paper shredder? Did the hiring manager’s dog eat it? What gives? And how can you find out the status of your application without looking desperate or like a creepy stalker? Here are some do’s and don’ts.
DO: Connect with the Hiring Manager
Besides the application you sent to the email address in the job listing, you should make an effort to run down the email address of the hiring manager serving the department in which you’ve applied. Google is your friend. But if the Google search doesn’t yield a name and email, you can try LinkedIn or, perhaps more immediately satisfying, call the switchboard of the organization and simply ask for the hiring manager’s name and email. Make sure you let both the operator and the hiring manager know that you’ve followed instructions first and sent the application as directed. Note that you also wanted to reach out directly to introduce yourself and make sure they’ve received your materials.
DON’T: Be a Creepy Stalker
Checking the status of your application twice daily is a poor idea. Wait maybe 5 business days after applying before following up with the hiring manager to let them know you’re very interested in the position. Better you send an email than make a phone call since it will be less intrusive than interrupting the hiring manager’s day by phone.
DO: Be Clear and Concise in your Message
Say something brief like, “Last week I submitted my candidacy for the _______ position you have available. Just wanted to make sure you’d gotten my application and that there was nothing else I could provide you to aid your decision. I believe I am quite well-matched to the job’s requirements and I would greatly value the opportunity to speak with you when you’re ready to begin interviewing.”
Don’t: Be a Spam Factory
You’ve sent one follow-up message. Now sit on your hands. No matter how anxious, or how much you really REALLY want this job, sending message after message (especially in the absence of any response) make you seem desperate and annoying. Not exactly the kind of person anyone would be excited to hire.
Do: Leverage the Awesome Power of LinkedIn
To find out all the people that work within the organization, simply enter the company name into LinkedIn. You may be surprised how small the professional community can be. Find someone you’re connected with, or even a friend of someone you’re connected with on LinkedIn and ask for a direct introduction to the hiring manager. You can also ask people who work in the company for inside information on the nature of the work and the workplace environment.
Don’t: Stop Looking for a Job
It may seem like the most perfect position for you. The one you’ve dreamed your whole life of landing. But, it is imperative to hedge even the safest of bets by continuing to seek opportunities while your applications wend their way through the hiring process. Despite how well-aligned things sometimes appear, the unexpected is always unexpected. Keep your self open and in play with as many opportunities as you can.
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