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The Power of Following UpChristine Kleckner & Sarah LoeOnline Career ServicesGlobe Education Network

Following Up-What is it?

Making additional contact with an employer after meeting them, applying for a position, or interviewing with them.

Different Types of Follow Up• Hand written note

• Email

• Phone Call

• Social Networking-LinkedIn

Hand Written Note•Appropriate when you have more than 3

days before a hiring decision is made.•If sending to multiple people within the

same organization, try to personalize each one to each specific recipient.

•Bring a blank, pre stamped note with you to the interview, while the information is fresh so you can send it out right away.

Sample of a Hand Written Note• Use a “Thank You” note with simple and professional font on the cover.• Use black or blue ink pen. • Make sure to thank the employer for their time and also mention the position you applied for and briefly discuss your qualifications.

Email

•Appropriate to send if a hiring decision is going to be made quickly.

•If sending to multiple people, send each email individually. Don’t “cc”.

•Be sure to send from an appropriate email address.

Sample Follow Up Email• Thank the employer for their time, and make sure to mention the

position you applied for. Briefly mention your qualifications, and express your interest in the position.

Phone Call•Make sure you are in a quiet place with

limited background noise.

•Write down what you want to say ahead of time.

•Don’t call multiple times. If there isn’t an answer, leave a voicemail.

What to Say in a Follow Up Phone Call• After an interview:

▫ State the basics (name, date of interview, position of interest)▫ Say thank you for the interview opportunity▫ Inquire “What is the next step in the hiring process?”

• After an application: ▫ Again, state the basics (your name and position of interest)▫ Inquire if your application has been received and if it is

complete (“Is there any other information you require?”)▫ Express interest in the position and ask, “Is there a convenient

time that we could schedule an interview?”▫ Make sure to get the name and contact information of the

employer, as well as the specific location of the interview.

Social Media

•Primarily focus on LinkedIn

•Make sure that your picture is professional, and content is appropriate

•Don’t just add them as a connection, include a personalized note reminding them of how they know you

LinkedIn Connection Example• Select how you know the person you are connecting with.

• Create a brief and personalized message. State where you met the person, and why you would like to connect with them.

• On-going follow up is key! After connecting via LinkedIn, continue

to follow up and network with them.

When Following Up, Do:

•Ask the interviewer when a hiring decision will be made

•Obtain the correct names, job titles and contact information for the people that interviewed you

•Use follow up to show your enthusiasm for the position

•Send out ASAP after you meet

When Following Up, Don’t:

•Ever have any errors (error free is key!)

•Stop job hunting-even if you are confident

•Burn any bridges if you don’t get a job offer

•Be overly arrogant

Why Follow Up?

•Shows your interest in the position

•Keeps you fresh in the employers mind

•Less than 10% of all applicants do

•Makes you STAND OUT!

Career Services All services are provided

to students free of charge

Career Services will…• Critique your career

documents• Recommend ways to

network• Interview preparation

and practice• Assist you in finding

job leads• Get your resume on

the job board• Host career fairs

Questions?• Lesley Farnham- Director of Career Services

(612)455-4753 lfarnham@msbcollege.edu

• Christine Kleckner- Associate Director of Career Services(612) 455-4758 ckleckner@msbcollege.edu

• Sarah Loe- Career Services Coordinator(612) 455-4780 sloe@msbcollege.edu

• Aimee Fitzgerald- Career Services Coordinator (612) 455-4749 afitzgerald@msbcollege.edu