Follow Up Letter Example: Guide, Templates & Tips

In the competitive landscape of today’s job market, it’s crucial to stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression on prospective employers. One effective way to do this is through a well-crafted follow-up letter. A follow-up letter serves as a means of expressing your continued interest in a position, addressing any potential concerns or questions the employer may have, and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

This informative article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to writing a compelling follow-up letter, including examples, templates, and valuable tips to maximize your chances of success in the hiring process. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can enhance your professional image and increase the likelihood of securing your desired job.

Before diving into the main content section, it’s important to understand why sending a follow-up letter is a strategic move in the job application process. A well-timed and effective follow-up letter can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview or securing a job offer. It demonstrates your persistence, genuine interest in the company, and commitment to the application process. Therefore, it’s essential to approach the task with a professional and well-thought-out strategy.

follow up letter example

To effectively follow up with a potential employer, keep the following key points in mind:

• Be brief and professional
• Personalize each letter
• Reiterate your interest
• Highlight relevant skills
• Express enthusiasm
• Proofread carefully
• Send at the right time
• Follow up multiple times

By adhering to these guidelines, you can create a compelling follow-up letter that will leave a positive impression on the hiring manager and increase your chances of securing an interview or job offer.

Be brief and professional

When writing a follow-up letter, it’s crucial to be concise and professional. Your letter should be no longer than one page, and it should be written in a formal and respectful tone. Avoid using slang or overly casual language, and proofread your letter carefully before sending it to ensure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

In the first paragraph of your letter, restate your interest in the position and the company. Briefly mention why you’re a good fit for the role, and highlight any relevant skills or experience that you have. In the second paragraph, you can provide a brief update on your current status or any recent accomplishments that may be relevant to the position.

In the final paragraph, thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. You can also reiterate your interest in the position and express your hope for an interview. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic, but avoid being overly pushy or demanding.

Here is an example of a brief and professional follow-up letter:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to follow up on my application for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name]. I submitted my application on [Date] and have not yet heard back. I am very interested in this position and believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team.

I have been working in the [Industry] industry for [Number] years and have a proven track record of success. In my previous role at [Previous Company Name], I was responsible for [List of Responsibilities]. I have a strong understanding of [List of Skills] and am confident that I can use my skills to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

I am eager to learn more about the [Position Name] position and how I can contribute to [Company Name]. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

By following these tips, you can write a follow-up letter that is brief, professional, and informative. This will increase your chances of making a positive impression on the hiring manager and securing an interview.

Personalize each letter

When writing a follow-up letter, it’s important to personalize each letter to the specific position and company you are applying to. This means taking the time to research the company and the position, and tailoring your letter to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the role.

• Research the company

  Before you start writing your letter, take some time to research the company and the position you are applying for. This will help you to understand the company’s culture, values, and goals, and to tailor your letter accordingly.

• Highlight relevant skills and experience

  In your letter, be sure to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience have helped you to achieve success in the past.

• Use a professional tone

  Your follow-up letter should be written in a professional and respectful tone. Avoid using slang or overly casual language, and proofread your letter carefully before sending it to ensure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

• Keep it brief

  Your follow-up letter should be no longer than one page. Get to the point quickly and concisely, and avoid repeating information that is already in your resume or cover letter.

By following these tips, you can personalize your follow-up letter and increase your chances of making a positive impression on the hiring manager.

Reiterate your interest

In your follow-up letter, it is important to reiterate your interest in the position and the company. This can be done in a number of ways, such as:

Restating your qualifications. In the first paragraph of your letter, briefly restate your qualifications for the position. This will remind the hiring manager why you are a good fit for the role.

Highlighting your enthusiasm. In the second paragraph of your letter, highlight your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Explain why you are interested in working for the company and what you are looking forward to contributing to the team.

Expressing your continued interest. In the final paragraph of your letter, express your continued interest in the position and the company. Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, and reiterate your hope for an interview.

Here is an example of how to reiterate your interest in a follow-up letter:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to follow up on my application for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name]. I submitted my application on [Date] and am very interested in this opportunity.

I have been working in the [Industry] industry for [Number] years and have a proven track record of success. In my previous role at [Previous Company Name], I was responsible for [List of Responsibilities]. I have a strong understanding of [List of Skills] and am confident that I can use my skills to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work on [Specific Project or Initiative] at [Company Name]. I believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team, and I am eager to learn more about the position and how I can contribute to the company.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

By following these tips, you can reiterate your interest in the position and the company in a way that is professional and persuasive.

Highlight relevant skills

When writing a follow-up letter, it is important to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. This can be done in a number of ways, such as:

Using specific examples. In your letter, be sure to use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience have helped you to achieve success in the past. For example, you could describe a project that you worked on that was similar to the position you are applying for, and explain how your skills and experience helped you to complete the project successfully.

Quantifying your results. Whenever possible, quantify your results to show the hiring manager the impact of your work. For example, instead of saying “I increased sales,” you could say “I increased sales by 15% over a six-month period.”

Tailoring your letter to the position. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific position you are applying for. This means highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the role. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, you would want to highlight your marketing skills and experience.

Proofreading your letter. Before you send your letter, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling. You want to make sure that your letter is professional and well-written.

Here is an example of how to highlight relevant skills in a follow-up letter:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to follow up on my application for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name]. I submitted my application on [Date] and am very interested in this opportunity.

I have been working in the [Industry] industry for [Number] years and have a proven track record of success. In my previous role at [Previous Company Name], I was responsible for [List of Responsibilities]. I have a strong understanding of [List of Skills] and am confident that I can use my skills to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

For example, in my previous role, I was responsible for developing and implementing a marketing campaign that resulted in a 15% increase in sales over a six-month period. I am also proficient in [List of Software Programs], which are essential for this role.

I am eager to learn more about the [Position Name] position and how I can contribute to [Company Name]. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

By following these tips, you can highlight your relevant skills and experience in a way that is professional and persuasive.

Express enthusiasm

In your follow-up letter, it is important to express your enthusiasm for the position and the company. This can be done in a number of ways, such as:

Using positive language. Throughout your letter, use positive language to convey your enthusiasm for the position and the company. For example, you could say “I am very interested in this opportunity” or “I am excited about the prospect of working for [Company Name].”

Highlighting your fit for the company. In your letter, be sure to highlight how your skills and experience fit the company’s culture and values. For example, you could say “I am confident that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team” or “I am eager to contribute to the success of [Company Name].”

Asking questions. Asking questions in your letter is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and the company. For example, you could ask about the company’s culture, the team you would be working with, or the company’s goals for the future.

Proofreading your letter. Before you send your letter, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling. You want to make sure that your letter is professional and well-written.

Here is an example of how to express enthusiasm in a follow-up letter:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to follow up on my application for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name]. I submitted my application on [Date] and am very interested in this opportunity.

I have been working in the [Industry] industry for [Number] years and have a proven track record of success. In my previous role at [Previous Company Name], I was responsible for [List of Responsibilities]. I have a strong understanding of [List of Skills] and am confident that I can use my skills to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work on [Specific Project or Initiative] at [Company Name]. I believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team, and I am eager to learn more about the position and how I can contribute to the company.

I am also very impressed with [Company Name]’s commitment to [Company Value]. I believe that my values align well with the company’s values, and I am confident that I would be a good fit for the team.

I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

By following these tips, you can express your enthusiasm for the position and the company in a way that is professional and persuasive.

Proofread carefully

Before you send your follow-up letter, it is important to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling. This will ensure that your letter is professional and well-written, and that it makes a good impression on the hiring manager.

Here are some tips for proofreading your follow-up letter:

Read your letter out loud. This will help you to catch any errors in grammar or spelling that you might have missed when reading silently.

Have someone else read your letter. Ask a friend, family member, or colleague to read your letter and provide feedback. They may be able to spot errors that you missed.

Use a grammar and spell checker. Most word processing programs have built-in grammar and spell checkers that can help you to identify and correct errors.

Check for consistency. Make sure that your letter is consistent in terms of font, font size, and line spacing. You should also check to make sure that your contact information is correct.

Here are some common errors to look for when proofreading your follow-up letter:

• Typos. Typos are simple errors in spelling or grammar, such as “teh” instead of “the” or “teh” instead of “the”.
• Misspellings. Misspellings are errors in spelling, such as “recieve” instead of “receive” or “definately” instead of “definitely”.
• Grammar errors. Grammar errors are errors in grammar, such as using the wrong tense or using a comma splice.
• Formatting errors. Formatting errors are errors in the formatting of your letter, such as using the wrong font or font size or using inconsistent line spacing.

By proofreading your follow-up letter carefully, you can ensure that it is error-free and that it makes a good impression on the hiring manager.

Send at the right time

When sending a follow-up letter, it is important to send it at the right time. The best time to send a follow-up letter is about two weeks after you have submitted your application.

• Wait two weeks. This will give the hiring manager enough time to review your application and make a decision.
• Avoid sending multiple follow-up letters. Sending multiple follow-up letters can be annoying to the hiring manager and may hurt your chances of getting the job.
• Follow up after an interview. If you have an interview, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note. You can also send a follow-up letter if you have not heard back from the hiring manager after the interview.
• Don’t give up. If you don’t hear back from the hiring manager after a few weeks, don’t give up. You can try sending another follow-up letter or reaching out to the hiring manager on LinkedIn.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting a response from the hiring manager and landing the job.

Follow up multiple times

In some cases, it may be necessary to follow up multiple times. This is especially true if you have not heard back from the hiring manager after a few weeks. However, it is important to avoid sending too many follow-up letters, as this can be annoying to the hiring manager and may hurt your chances of getting the job.

Here are some tips for following up multiple times:

Wait a few weeks before following up again. This will give the hiring manager time to review your application and make a decision. If you have not heard back after a few weeks, you can send a follow-up letter or email.

Keep your follow-up letters brief and to the point. The hiring manager is likely busy, so they will appreciate a concise and easy-to-read follow-up letter.

Highlight any new information or skills that you have acquired since your initial application. This will show the hiring manager that you are still interested in the position and that you are continuing to develop your skills.

Be persistent but respectful. Don’t give up if you don’t hear back from the hiring manager after a few follow-up letters. However, be respectful of their time and don’t send too many follow-up letters.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting a response from the hiring manager and landing the job.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about follow-up letters:

Question 1: When should I send a follow-up letter?
Answer 1: The best time to send a follow-up letter is about two weeks after you have submitted your application. This will give the hiring manager enough time to review your application and make a decision.

Question 2: How often should I follow up?
Answer 2: It is generally not advisable to send more than one follow-up letter per week. Sending too many follow-up letters can be annoying to the hiring manager and may hurt your chances of getting the job.

Question 3: What should I include in my follow-up letter?
Answer 3: Your follow-up letter should be brief and to the point. It should include a reminder of your application, a statement of your continued interest in the position, and any new information or skills that you have acquired since your initial application.

Question 4: What should I do if I don’t hear back from the hiring manager after sending a follow-up letter?
Answer 4: If you don’t hear back from the hiring manager after sending a follow-up letter, you can try sending another follow-up letter or reaching out to the hiring manager on LinkedIn.

Question 5: Is it okay to follow up after an interview?
Answer 5: Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to follow up after an interview. You can send a thank-you note to the hiring manager and reiterate your interest in the position.

Question 6: What should I do if I get a rejection letter?
Answer 6: If you get a rejection letter, don’t give up. You can use the rejection letter as an opportunity to learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. You can also use the rejection letter as motivation to improve your resume and cover letter.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ

I hope this FAQ has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Now that you know the basics of follow-up letters, let’s take a look at some tips for writing a great follow-up letter.

Tips

Here are four practical tips for writing a great follow-up letter：

Tip 1: Keep it brief. Your follow-up letter should be no longer than one page. Get to the point quickly and concisely, and avoid repeating information that is already in your application or cover letter.

Tip 2: Personalize your letter. Take the time to research the company and the position you are applying for, and Tailor your letter to the specific requirements of the role.

Tip 3: Highlight your skills and experience. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience match the requirements of the position.

Tip 4: Proofread carefully. Before you send your follow-up letter, proofread it carefully for any errors ingrammar orspelling.

closing paragraph for tips

By following these tips, you can write a follow-up letter that will stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting noticed by the Hiring Manager.

Now that you know how to write a great follow-up letter, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Take some time to draft a follow-up letter for a position that you are interested in. Once you are satisfied with your letter, send it off and wait for a response.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered the following key points about follow-up letters:

• Why follow-up letters are important
• When to send a follow-up letter
• How to write a follow-up letter
• Tips for writing a great follow-up letter

By following the advice in this article, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by the Hiring Manager and landing the job you want.

Don’t forget to be patient and professional. It may take some time to hear back from the Hiring Manager, but if you follow up regularly and show your continued interest in the position, you will eventually get a response.

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.