If you've had a great conversation with a recruiter and you're thinking about applying for one of their open roles, following up is the next step. Following up with a recruiter is a simple process, and there are a few things you can do to make sure your follow-up stands out.
Is it OK to follow up with the recruiter?
Should you follow up with a recruiter if you haven't heard back from them? If you're still looking for work, then yes. Recruiters are in the business of locating the finest person for each position, and if you think that's you, keep in touch. The key is to stay polite and professional while not being pushy here. Of course, following up once is enough – if you don't hear anything back, it's safe to assume they went with another candidate.
How soon should you follow up with a recruiter?
Send another email at least five to seven days after your initial contact. You completed the interview, sent a “thank you” note, and then went several days without hearing from anyone. Then you got that distressing call from the hiring manager. Your resume is on the top of the “to call” stack, but there are others ahead of you and you don’t have an infinite amount of time.
You might be tempted to blow up the recruiter’s phone or even show up at their office, but resist the temptation! Following up with a recruiter too soon can seem pushy and may actually cause them to lose interest in you.
How much should I follow up with a recruiter?
Narrowing down the field of applicants to a shortlist, followed by interviews and inspections is typical. A 2-3 week period of reviewing resumes, interviewing candidates (which might be delayed significantly due to scheduling conflicts or HR), and giving notice and starting in the position for the chosen one is pretty reasonable. So, in general, it would be fine to contact the recruiter two or three times max in a 4-6 week window.
How to contact a recruiter after an interview?
After meeting with a recruiter, send a similar email template as you'd do after a phone conversation. If you've spoken to a recruiter, sending an immediate follow-up email demonstrates your commitment. You may also include any details they may have requested (such as a CV) and the essential contact information.
Within 24 hours of your interview, you should send follow-up correspondence to the recruiter. Thank them for their time, briefly describe anything from your conversation, reiterate your relevant abilities and qualifications, emphasize your enthusiasm for the position, and sign off graciously.
- Start by thanking the recruiter for their time
- Briefly recap your conversation with the recruiter and mention anything you talked about that you want to follow up on
- Reiterate your skills and qualifications that make you a good fit for the position
- Closeout by reiterating your enthusiasm for the job and thanking them again
Here's a template to follow:
Subject: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me!
Hi (Recruiter name),
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me yesterday! I really enjoyed hearing more about the role and getting to know more about the company. I wanted to follow up and confirm that I have included all of the information you asked for in my application. I have attached my resume and am happy to provide additional information if needed.
Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best, (Your name)
How do you check back with a recruiter?
If you haven't gotten a response from a prospective employer after your interview or after sending them an email following your interview, you may send an “checking in” email, ideally to the recruiter. Send this email if you haven't heard back within two weeks of your interview. Keep it brief.
You can also try calling the company and asking to speak to the recruiter. When emailing or calling, be sure to ask how long it typically takes for them to make a decision on candidates. This will give you an idea of when you can reasonably expect to hear back from them. If they don't have an answer for you, ask if they could put you on a waitlist in case someone drops out.
That's it! Following up with a recruiter is easy once you know what to do. Good luck!
How do you remind yourself as a recruiter?
How can you make sure you don't forget to follow up with a potential candidate?
There are a few things that you can do in order to make sure that you follow up with potential candidates. One thing is to create a reminder for yourself, whether it's a physical or digital calendar reminder. You can also make a list of the candidates that you need to follow up with, and check them off as you go.
Additionally, if possible, try to delegate some of the follow-up tasks to someone else on your team. This will help take some of the pressure off of you and ensure that no one falls through the cracks. By following these tips, you'll be able to stay on top of your recruitment process and avoid any missed opportunities.
Use a clear subject line, or start a new thread. This will ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss your email in their inbox. In your email, recap your conversation from earlier and mention the next steps that you agreed upon. If there are any specific documents or materials that you need from the recruiter, be sure to mention those as well.
- Include a polite salutation that will be sure to catch the recruiter's attention. You can use such phrases as "Hi there," "Good morning," or "Happy Friday."
- Remind HR of who you are and where you met. To make it politely, "I had a great conversation with you yesterday about the open position at ABC company"
- Recap the conversation you had and mention any next steps that were agreed upon. For example, you can say "We agreed that I would send you my resume and then we can schedule a call."
- If there are any specific documents or materials you need from the recruiter, be sure to mention those as well. The documents like "resume" will be a giveaway and the recruiter will know what you are asking for.
- Thank the recruiter for their time and let them know that you're looking forward to hearing from them soon.
- Proofread and edit.
What do you do if a recruiter hasn't responded after you send your resume?
State that you're following up regarding the position for which you interviewed in order to get more information. When referring to the job, be as descriptive as possible; include the title, date you interviewed, or both. Re-emphasize your desire for the position. Request an update straight and express your eagerness to hear about the next steps.
If your recruiter is unresponsive, you can try emailing or calling their office. Mention that you've sent multiple emails and tried to call but haven't received a response. You could also try following up on LinkedIn.
If all of these methods fail, it might be time to move on and find another opportunity. However, don't give up on the company altogether; if you're still interested in the company, reach out to someone in HR or even the hiring manager to see if there are any other positions open.
How do you follow up with a recruiter after you've submitted an application?
Here are several examples of how can you write back to your HR after following up.
1) Hello [Name of Recruiter], Thank you for allowing me to meet you at the [name/location of career fair] on [date]. It was fantastic learning about your company and its [relevant, personal expertise], and I believe my [relevant, personal experience] would make me a great candidate.
I wanted to follow up with you and ask if you had any time for a quick call. I would love to hear more about the role and get your feedback on my application. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Your name
2) Hello Name of Recruiter,
Thank you so much for considering me for the open position at your company. I really appreciate it! After meeting you and learning about the company, I am even more excited about the opportunity and feel confident that I have the skillset and experience that would make me a perfect fit.
I was wondering if you might have any time for a quick call? I would love to chat with you about the role and get your feedback on my application. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Your name
3) Greetings Name of Recruiter,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me at the career fair yesterday. After hearing more about your company and its goals, I am even more interested in the open position and I feel like I would be a great fit.
Therefore, I wanted to follow up with you and see if you might have any time for a quick call. I hope to hear back from you soon.
Thank you!
Your name
Can you email a recruiter too much?
A recruiter may get irritated if you email them too frequently throughout the course of an interview process, particularly if you've been advised to expect a response in a few days. However, if you haven't received a response after a week or so, it's generally safe to email again.
In your email, be sure to recap your conversation and reiterate your interest in the position. You may also want to provide additional information that wasn't discussed during your initial conversation. For example, if you have a portfolio or writing samples that weren't shared previously, you can send them as an attachment to your email.
Why aren't recruitment consultants getting back to me?
Most recruiters don't respond because they lack time. Human resources is not seen as a revenue-generating department by most businesses. CEOs are always concerned that revenue-producing departments have the resources they require. As a result, the recruitment function is usually the first to be cut when budgets get tight. In fact, many recruiters are actually paid based on the number of hires they make rather than their salary.
In many cases, it's just human nature, incompetence, overwork, or a lack of information that is to blame. Knowing that it's not about me helps to relieve the tension. The majority are well-intentioned and want to get through the recruiting process as quickly as possible so they can focus on more pressing matters.
So, the reasons for the lack of response are many and varied. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting a response from recruiters. Moreover, there are also some things you can do to increase the chances that the recruiter will respond favorably to your candidacy.
Finally, it's important to keep in mind that there are no guarantees in the recruitment process. Sometimes even the most qualified candidates don't get the job. Don't take it too personally if you don't hear back from a recruiter or if you're not selected for a position. Move on and continue your job search.
Final words
The best way to follow up with a recruiter depends on the stage of the recruitment process. If you've just applied for a position, it's best to wait a few days before emailing the recruiter. If you've had a conversation with the recruiter, it's appropriate to email them within a few days after the meeting.
However, if you haven't heard back from the recruiter after a week or so, it's safe to email them again. In your email, be sure to recap your conversation and reiterate your interest in the position. You may also want to provide additional information that wasn't discussed during your initial conversation.