Section 13: Searching and Applying to Jobs
It can feel like a waiting game after you submit your application.
There are a few best practices to follow once everything is submitted to stay organized and track your progress.
First, understand that you will not likely hear back with updates on every single application. This can certainly be frustrating, but don’t let it derail your efforts and momentum.
If the job was posted on LinkedIn, check to see if the hiring manager or a point of contact is listed. It can be helpful to reach out to these individuals.
You message to them should include the job title, a job requisition number (if listed), and 1-2 key points of why you are the best candidate. You can also include your resume as an attachment for easy retrieval on their end.
If you're applying to numerous jobs, it can be easy to forgot the status of each one. A spreadsheet can keep everything neat and organized. In it, you can include the date you applied, the job title, a link to the job posting, the status, and additional info such as the salary range posted, points of contact, or referrals.
Most (not all) jobs tend to move pretty quickly once the application window closes. Recruiters are often working against a deadline of when someone needs to be hired for the role.
Notifications to candidates moving to the next stage tend to happen 1-3 weeks after the application window closes. That's not to say you'll never hear back after 3+ weeks, but should help in managing your expectations around updates and your candidate status.