Cover Letter Mistake #3: Call Me Because I Won’t Call You

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The last paragraph of your cover letter can be very powerful. How you end it could leave a lasting impression with the employer – good or bad. So before you sign off using your typical, “Please call me at your earliest convenience to set up an interview” kind of mumbo-jumbo, take care to let the employer off the hook and put the responsibility to follow-up squarely on your shoulders. Mark this date By stating that you’re going to follow up with the employer on a particular day makes you appear confident and willing to go the extra mile for an interview. It makes them feel important and that you honestly want to know about the job if you are willing to follow up with them. It also eases the pressure off of them since they expect you to call. If they’re interested in speaking with you, they might set your resume aside and mark it down in their planner that you are going to call. That way they can be prepared to schedule an interview. Do what you say Whatever you do, if you write in your cover letter that you’re going to call them on a specific day, by all means – do it! By not following through, you have jeopardized ever getting called by the employer. This is actually worse than including a passive ending in your cover letter. By not following up like you claimed you would, you’re showing yourself to be irresponsible - not a highly sought out trait for a new employee. Go the extra mile If you follow up the date that you stated and never could get in touch with the contact, you can leave a voice mail stating that you were following up on the specific job posting. You can choose to follow-up with an email and/or try to call them back another day. The point is to let them know that you followed up when you said you would. Now don’t get me wrong, you do want to try to actually speak to them. However, you don’t want to harass them either. Give it a couple of shots and if you can’t get them on the phone, leave a message and follow-up via email, if you so choose. Follow-up is very important. That’s why stating you’re going to do so in your cover letter is impressive and important to the hiring manager. Keep it simple, keep your word and you might just come out with an interview.

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  • India
    India •
    And I thought I was the sensible one. Thanks for setting me straight.
  • Shane
    Shane •
    This is a great idea, but the problem I am having is not that I feel it is too presumptuous to call, but rather that i am scared to call because I have no idea what to say once I have the person on the phone, or even in a message. What do I say when I call in follow up to a cover letter and resume I sent in?  - Shane
  • Steve B
    Steve B •
    Great point to make. I have been guilty of the passive ending and I can see now how important it is for me to take the iniative and follow up with a phone call.  In my many years of sales I know that the follow up is every bit as important as the initial contact and often will tip the scales favorably. By all means, if you say that you will follow up, you must. Otherwise you have guaranteed a turn down. Thank you.
  • Callie
    Callie •
    This is a great idea, but the problem I am having is not that I feel it is too presumptuous to call, but rather that i am scared to call because I have no idea what to say once I have the person on the phone, or even in a message. What do I say when I call in follow up to a cover letter ad resume I sent in?
  • Jan Lynch
    Jan Lynch •
    I recently replied to an on-line ad for a position with job descriptions that read like my own resume, i.e., my qualifications and experience matched exactly what the company was seeking. I have phoned the HR Manager two times and left a voice messages asking if she could give me an update on the recruiting status.Of course I did not receive a return call.  Then I sent two e-mails, and again no response. The position is still advertised on the website, so I presume it has not been filled.  I don't want to act to assertively; however, I am very interested in this position.  I know I couldI was considering going around the HR Manager and try to contact the hiring manager....any suggestions?
  • Joyce Brzuchalski
    Joyce Brzuchalski •
    I called a couple of days after I sent my resume and cover letter to make sure it had been received, but I haven't put in my cover letter that I will call them on a certain date.  I am one of those people who feel it is presumptuous, but I will do so now. Great advice! Thank you.
  • Julie O'Malley
    Julie O'Malley •
    Yes! Well said, Heather. It's hard for some people to follow this advice because it "feels" presumptuous, but it really is the way to go. It's a no-lose way to put your name in front of the hiring manager again and prove that you are good about follow-through.

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