Get More Job Offers By Sending Follow-Up Messages To Recruiters
Some companies will reach out on their own in response to your application, but most won’t.
The default strategy for most job seekers is something like this: send out a flurry of applications and wait for a response. If nobody responds, then send out another flurry of applications.
This is a losing strategy.
The winning strategy is to think like a salesperson.
When a salesperson doesn’t get a response, they don’t throw their hands up and say, “Oh well, I guess I’ll try reaching out to someone else.”
No, a pro salesperson will then begin a process of systematic outreach using various contact methods and different points of contact until they get a response.
This demonstrates one of the most important parts of sales, which is the art of following up. We’re going to use the same tried-and-true sales tactics for the recruitment process.
First, instead of sitting back and waiting for a response after we’ve sent an application, we’re going to proactively message key decision makers at the company we’ve applied to.
You can reach out via LinkedIn messaging or email. LinkedIn is easier (unless you have an email address readily available, then email is best).
You can send this initial message to the recruiter (or other point of contact) listed on the job posting and your best guess at who your manager would be (it’s alright if you send it to the wrong person; they’ll likely point you to the right person). Send separate messages to each person (don’t CC).
Here’s a template for the first message:
Hi [name of hiring manager],
I hope you’re having a great day! My name is [your name] and I’m reaching out because I’ve just submitted my application for the Account Executive position at [company name].
I’m very excited about your company because [insert 1-2 reasons].
I’m motivated and very hard-working. I’m also coachable and willing to put in the time and effort to be successful.
Do you have a few minutes to talk on the phone sometime this week?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks,
[your name]
After two days, if you haven’t received a response to your first message from the recruiter or the manager, then you can send a follow-up message to both.
Here’s a template for the follow-up message:
Hi [name of hiring manager],
I wanted to reach out to follow up on my last message. Is there a time this week that we could schedule for 5 minutes to talk on the phone?
I know you’re very busy and probably have candidates beating down the door for this position.
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to explain why I’m so excited about [company name] and why I think I could be a great fit for the role.
Thanks in advance,
[your name]
After two more days, if you’re still not getting a response from either the recruiter or the manager, we can expand our scope.
Depending on the size of the company, your options might be limited. You can start by expanding to other recruiters or managers in the same department.
For example, if you’ve already messaged the Enterprise Sales Manager, then you might send messages to the SMB Sales Manager and the Partnerships Sales Manager. Similarly, if there are multiple recruiters at the company, you can message a few of the others.
You can use the same template from the first message.
After another two days (a total of six days now) if there’s still no response, you might try your luck by going a little higher up the ladder. Using LinkedIn, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the Director of Sales, VP of Sales, or Head of Sales at the company.
After the fourth round of messages, if there’s still no response, then move on and don’t look back. The company might still respond later down the line, but we don’t want to waste time waiting.
Two important notes for sending follow-up messages:
- First, don’t send the exact same message to more than one person at the company. The general template can be the same but some of the wording should be noticeably different.
- Second, don’t send all these messages at the same time. Start with just the recruiter and the manager. Usually what happens inside a company is all recruiting messages and emails get forwarded to the appropriate person. You don’t want that person to get ten of your messages.
Summary
In summary, following up is an important skill to make into a habit during the interview process. Professional people are busy and they forget. Following up shows that you’re on top of things, which is a skill that any company is looking for in a sales position.