Wait quietly for the recruiter’s call or go a step ahead of the news? Following up your application is often highly recommended, provided you do it right. Explanations and advice from an expert.
According to Mélanie Hébert, employment consultant at Orienthèque, the first step is to check that your file has been received. “This confirmation is important,” she says. “It sometimes happens that an email is lost and you can then resend it while there is still time.” Establishing a more personal contact “shows that you are well organized, not lost in a massive email blast of CVs,” the consultant also stresses. The goal is to stand out from the other applicants.
Is a follow up always desirable?
Certainly not when the job offer clearly states not to contact the company! When nothing is spelled out, reaching out to a recruiter calls for no less tact. “We can forget to ask if he has a few minutes to spare us,” Mélanie Hébert reminds us. “It’s important to adapt to what a counterpart indicates: receptive, impatient, unavailable…”
Who to contact?
There again, it’s important to read what is said in the job offer. According to Mélanie Hébert, “without an explicit mention of a name, you can sometimes find it in the contact’s email address, in the staff presentation or on a business directory site.” Contacting the receptionist can also identify the recruiter.
When and how?
Any possible indications for a reminder are essential. By default, you can call “seven to ten days after sending your CV, avoiding Monday morning and Friday afternoon, and predictable periods of high activity,” the consultant says. “We invite our clients to put themselves in the recruiter’s shoes, to understand the size of his workload.”
According to Mélanie Hébert, a phone call is preferable, since it is less impersonal and because a recruiter receives hundreds of emails every day. Verbally, you communicate enthusiasm and self-confidence more easily.
What do you say?
“Highlighting your value is essential,” the expert insists. “Remain professional, avoid negative language and don’t ask for the books!” Calling under the effect of emotions is obviously a bad idea. It’s a matter of being accurate about the position, the date when your CV was sent, and restating your interest in the company.
After the interview, don’t forget to thank the recruiter.