In a competitive job market, what’s your best bet? Standing out on your own. When you’ve sent out your polished resume, crafted a personalized cold email, and eagerly awaited a response. But what happens when the response doesn’t come? Well, that’s where the cold email follow ups for jobs come into play.
Following up on a cold email for a job inquiry is an essential part of the job hunting process via cold emailing, and many job seekers often overlook it. Are you one of those too? It’s not just about reminding your potential employer about your application; it’s also about showing your continued interest and determination.
In this blog, we will guide you on how to follow up on job application emails effectively. We’ll explore the importance of cold email follow ups, when to send them, and how to craft a persuasive cold email follow up. What’s more, we have developed sample follow-up emails for job applications that you can steal.
Let’s get started!
Why Cold Email Follow Ups Matter for Your Job?
You’ve sent your cold email for a job inquiry. Now, you might be waiting for a response. But there’s more you can do. It’s time to follow up. Here’s why it matters:
Stay in Touch
A cold email follow up message helps you stay connected with the employer. It shows you are genuinely interested in the job. And let’s be real: an employer probably receives tens (if not hundreds) of emails every single day. Most of them don’t share all the details, let alone follow up. A cold email follow up for job applications can easily make you one of the top 10% of candidates.
Ensure Your Email Was Seen
Sometimes, emails can get lost in a busy inbox. When you send a follow-up email, it makes sure your first email was seen. This way, your job inquiry doesn’t get overlooked.
Start a Conversation
A cold email follow up can start a conversation with the employer. This is helpful, even if you don’t get the job this time. It’s always good to make connections in your industry and gather some feedback.
Stand Out from Others
Many people send a job inquiry and then wait. But when you follow up, you stand out. It shows you are serious about your job search and also displays your commitment.
Now that we know why we should write cold email follow ups for job applications, let’s think a bit about when you should do it.
How Long Should You Wait Before Sending a Cold Email Follow Up for Jobs?
The timing of your cold email follow up is a key factor in your job search; you should consider:
Respect Their Time
After you’ve sent your cold email, wait for about a week before sending a follow-up email. This offers the employer sufficient time to review your application and respond.
Avoid Email Overload
It’s important to follow up, but don’t overwhelm the employer with too many emails. If there’s no response after your first cold email follow up, it’s a good idea to wait another week or two before following up again.
Keep Work Patterns in Mind
Consider the typical work week when timing your follow-up email. It’s best to send it during the workweek (Monday to Friday) and during working hours to ensure it gets seen promptly. Try not to send it on a Friday, when most people would be looking forward to closing their inbox for the weekend.
Patience is a Virtue
Remember, the hiring process can take time, and the person you’ve emailed may be juggling numerous tasks. Don’t worry if you don’t get a reply immediately. Patience is key in the job-hunting process.
With cold email follow ups, the goal is to keep your application active in the employer’s mind without appearing too pushy. Striking this balance is key for a successful job hunt.
Do employers like cold email follow ups on job applications?
Probably not, given the sheer volume of emails clogging their inboxes. But there’s something they love more than that: finding a candidate who fits the bill and shows it enthusiastically. Simply put, there’s a fine line between repeating your proposal and annoying the recruiter. Here’s how you can keep on the right side:
- Be Professional, Not Pesky: If done correctly, cold email follow up email are seen as a sign of your professionalism and keen interest, not a nuisance. It’s all about how you communicate. Be courteous and respectful, and keep your email concise. Remember that you are applying for a role, you cannot be demanding it.
- Timing is Everything: As you saw, waiting for about a week before sending your first cold email follow up gives employers enough time to process your initial email. Following up too soon could seem pushy, so timing is crucial.
- Value Their Time: In your follow-up email, acknowledge that the employer is busy. This shows that you respect their time. You could start your email with a line like, “I understand you have a lot on your plate, but I wanted to…” It shows that you can walk a mile in their shoes and empathize.
- Don’t Overdo It: While cold email follow ups are important, sending too many could be off-putting. If you’ve sent a couple of follow-up emails and received no response, it might be best to move on to other opportunities.
So, following up doesn’t annoy employers if you do it right. It can highlight your interest in the role and your proactive approach, which can be a plus point in your favor.
How to Write Follow up Emails for Job Applications?
So, you’ve sent your cold email for a job inquiry but didn’t get a response and waited the appropriate amount of time. Now is your time to follow up. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective cold email follow up for job inquiries that get noticed;
Keep the Subject Line Clear
Make sure your subject line instantly reminds the recipient of your previous conversation. You could use something like “Re: Job Enquiry – [Your Name]” or “Following Up on My Application for [Job Role]”. Mentioning details like the role or your name is the key.
Start with a Polite Reminder
Begin your email by reminding the employer about your previous communication. Mention when you sent your original email and the job role you’re interested in. It’s best practice to reply in the same chain of emails.
Reiterate Your Interest
This is your chance to reinforce your interest in the role and the company. Mention why the role excites you and how you believe you can contribute to the company.
Ask for an Update
Towards the end of your email, politely ask for an update on your application. This could prompt the employer to respond. You can use sentences like, “I’m eager to bring my skills in [specific skill] to [Company Name]. If you’re open to it, I’d appreciate any advice on potential opportunities.” or “If this email doesn’t find you at the right time, I’d be grateful if you could let me know when would be better to follow up.”
Keep it Short and Professional
Remember, the employer is likely juggling many tasks. Keep your message concise and maintain a respectful tone throughout your email. Paul Graham states this best, “I respond faster to emails that are short. Two-liners I often reply to immediately. Long emails I leave in my inbox to deal with later, and never do.”
Your cold email follow up message should not just remind the employer about your application but also reinforce your interest and suitability for the role.
If there’s been no response to your follow-up email, don’t lose hope. Sometimes, the hiring process takes longer than expected. However, if you’ve sent a couple of follow-up emails and still haven’t heard back, it might be time to focus on other job opportunities.
Free Job Application Follow-up Email Samples For You
Are you confused about what you should say in a cold email follow up for a job application? We are here to help you out with a couple of sample follow-up emails that you can use to reach out to recruiters.
Template #1: Follow up after no response to cold email for job inquiry
Subject: Following Up on My Application for [Job Role]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well.
I’m writing to follow up on the cold email I sent on [Date] regarding the [Job Role] position at [Company Name]. I remain very interested in the opportunity and am eager to contribute my skills and experience to your team.
Could you kindly provide an update on the status of my application? I understand you’re busy, and I appreciate any information you can provide.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of further discussing how I can contribute to [Company Name].
Best regards, [Your Name]
Template #2: Following Up After No Response to First Follow-Up Email
Subject: Re: Following Up on Job Enquiry – [Your Name]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope this email finds you in good health.
I wanted to follow up on my previous emails about the [Job Role] at [Company Name]. I understand that the hiring process can take time, and I appreciate your team’s efforts.
I’m still very interested in the role and am eager to contribute my skills and experience to your team. Could you kindly provide an update on the status of my application?
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Best regards, [Your Name]
Pro tip: Personalize these templates to your specific needs and situations. Tailoring your follow-up emails can help you make a more effective impact.
Remember to replace the placeholders with the appropriate information. You can ensure your follow-up email is professional and polite and effectively communicates your continued interest in the job role with the help of these samples.
No response to follow-up emails? Check for best practices
Let’s imagine that you’ve sent your cold email for a job inquiry, followed up after a week, and yet there’s no response. It can be disheartening, but remember, it’s not a reflection of your worth. Here’s what you can do next:
- Check Your Approach: Review your cold email and follow-up emails. Ensure they’re professional and concise, and highlight your suitability for the role. If you’re unsure, seek feedback from a mentor or use online resources to improve your technique. Even if it’s not an immediate gain, the entire process is a learning opportunity that you can make the best of.
- Consider the Timing: Hiring processes can take time, especially in large companies. It’s possible the employer is still reviewing applications or has been busy with other priorities.
- Follow Up Again: If it’s been a few weeks with no response, it might be worth sending another follow-up email. Keep it professional and express your continued interest in the role.
- Move Forward: If there’s still no response after multiple cold email follow-ups, it’s time to focus on other opportunities. The job market is vast, and many employers will value your skills and experience.
In the end, remember that job hunting can be a challenging process, and it’s normal to face silence or rejection. It’s key to stay positive and persistent and continue improving your approach.
Let’s Sum Up
Cold emailing for jobs is tricky. Yet, some things can make you stand out. Following up on your cold emails for job applications is one of these powerful strategies. It’s your chance to show professionalism, maintain your presence on the employer’s radar, and set yourself apart from other candidates.
If you find this process daunting, don’t worry. Advanced Baba is here to assist you. Our platform offers personalized cold emailing services, helping you craft effective emails and cold email follow-ups. Using AI, we analyze your resume content and generate personalized cold emails to increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers.
Don’t be disheartened if you don’t get a response immediately. Persistence is key in the job hunt. Keep refining your approach, stay positive, and continue exploring other opportunities.