You’re sure your administrative resume was impressive; your cover letter was engaging, and you are well-qualified for the job. And, yet you have not heard anything from the company since you applied. Do you know how to follow up on a job application?

It’s definitely worth sending a follow-up email or calling the company directly. Applying for a job can be like throwing your resume into a black hole and hoping it comes out on the other side. But there are ways to let the employer know you are genuinely interested in the administrative job without coming across as desperate.

Read our Q&A with this staffing expert for some useful tips.

How long should you wait before you reach out?

Send your follow-up email within a few days of applying for the position. Give the hiring manager or recruiter at least 24 hours to respond to you.

You can show your administrative skills by avoiding the urge to call back multiple times a day or send a flood of follow-up emails. Too much follow-up paints you as impatient. And, yes, it will annoy the recipient.

Can you do it in a way that does not annoy the hiring manager?

Make sure you are clear and concise in your follow-up email or phone call. As much as possible, try to come across as calm and confident. That can be hard to do, of course, but it helps to have this attitude.

It also doesn’t hurt to try to create a sense of urgency with the hiring manager. If you are interviewing for other administrative jobs or are lucky enough to have a job offer in hand already, let the employer know. Your goal isn’t to give the hiring manager an ultimatum but to stress your interest in the position they’re hiring for and to encourage them to call you in for an interview quickly.

How many times should you follow up after applying for a job?

Follow up until the employer gives you a reason to stop. That means, if you have followed up several times and still have not heard back, it’s probably best to move on.

What does it mean if you never hear back from the employer?

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

No matter who you’re following up with, or if you’re sending a follow-up email or picking up the phone, ALWAYS be friendly and positive. Whether you realize it or not, you’re making an impression on someone who may have a say in who is hired for the role, and you want it to be a good one.

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