Bridge Insights

I’ve Submitted My Application, Now What?

Jun 26, 2020

You have just submitted your application for your dream job!

What are the next steps?

There are a few things you can do to help stand out in the crowd.

Stop Screening Your Calls

Although it may seem silly, make sure you are answering your phone when it rings. In today’s world, the typical protocol when seeing an unknown number is to wait for a voicemail alert to pop up, but when you’re in the running for a position, you want to seem available and engaged. At some point playing phone tag with a candidate sends the message they are disorganized or not really interested in the job.

When you do answer your phone, be sure to be professional and engaged. You would not want to answer a phone call from a prospective employer the same way you would your college fraternity brother!

That being said, there are times when we are not able to pick up the phone. In these instances, you must have a professional and clear voicemail recording that states your name along with a brief, polite voicemail greeting. Even though these are little things, they go a long way in making or breaking your chances of landing the job.

Bottom line: companies WANT to hire individuals who WANT to be hired. There are certain things you can to do send the message loud and clear that you’re interested in the job

Make a List

Nothing is worse than a recruiter reaching out to you and your first question is “I’m sorry what company is this for?” If you can’t remember where you applied, it must not be a position you feel strongly about. Be sure to keep a spreadsheet or even take notes on your phone to keep a list of companies and positions you’ve applied to, as well as the date you submitted your application.

If you can, do your research on the company, so you can be prepared to intelligently discuss the role, company, and industry when that company’s recruiter calls you.

Follow Up

After you apply, ALWAYS follow up with a recruiter or corporate hiring leader. This shows that you can take initiative and are interested and eager to learn more about the role. It also gives you a chance to personally introduce yourself and make an impression. If they see your email before they see your resume, that’s a sure-fire way to bring your resume to the top of the review list.

A best practice is to briefly mention in your cover letter that you will be following up on your application within a week. Again, this shows that this company and position are very important to you and that you are capable of following through on the things you say you’re going to do.

Bringing It All Together

When it comes to landing your dream job (or any job for that matter) companies WANT to hire individuals who WANT to be hired. By doing some of these simple, but impactful, things, you will demonstrate to employers that you are interested in working for their company. In your job search, it’s the little things you do that set you apart from other applicants, and even though it’s a small effort on your end, these little things could turn into big hiring decisions that end in your favor.