Job applications can be tough…

Many job seekers find themselves stuck in a frustrating loop of silence and rejection.

If you are searching for a job and are met with radio silence, you’re not alone. Here are some of the common grievances that resonate deeply with many professionals:

  • “I’ve submitted tons of applications, but I haven’t heard back from anyone. What am I doing wrong?”
  • “I submit applications and follow up by email, but I get no response. Why not?”
  • “I keep sending out resumes, but I don’t get any interviews. What can I do?”
  • “I have a STEM degree and two years of job experience. Been looking for a job for 9 months now and no one is taking me seriously. I’m losing all hope…”

These complaints highlight a painful reality: despite your best efforts, your applications can disappear into the void. The lack of feedback not only leaves you in the dark but also chips away at your confidence and motivation.

Fortunately, there are solutions.

Understanding the Job Application Landscape

Navigating the job market is challenging and often demoralizing, especially when your applications go unanswered.

You should know, however, that despite economic factors and the current state of the market, your approach to job applications still plays a crucial role. Even in tough markets, there are winners and losers.

And by taking the right, strategic actions, you can win in today’s job market.

Here, we’ll explore how you can overcome the silence from HR, by crafting effective follow-up emails and refining your application techniques.

By understanding the landscape and adjusting your approach, you can increase your chances of breaking through and secure the opportunities you deserve.

Why Your Job Applications Aren’t Getting Responses

Before diving into follow-up strategies, it’s essential to understand why your applications might not be getting responses. Common reasons include:

  • High Competition: Many positions receive hundreds of applications.
  • Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Automated systems may filter out your resume before it reaches a human. Especially with the advent of AI, we are going to see more and more filtering and automated matching take over the job market.
  • Lack of Customization: Generic applications fail to stand out. By the way, that online resume you referenced while writing yours… That resume which you think stands out… It actually is generic – everyone is using the same public references, and that’s why, public references do not work to stand out.
  • Inadequate Keywords: Missing industry-specific keywords, phrases and language patterns can result in your resume being overlooked. (Hint: people hire insiders not outsiders. Use of the wrong language can cause you to be treated as an outsider. See Language of Value for more info.)

Sending a Follow-Up Email After No Response

We recommend our students to send up to four follow-up emails for every job application.

A well-crafted follow-up email can make a significant difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your follow-up gets noticed:

Timing Your Follow-Up

  • Initial Follow-Up: Wait 7-10 days after submitting your application. This gives them some time to respond, and also makes you look less desperate.
  • Second Follow-Up: If you haven’t heard back, follow up again another 7-10 days after your first follow-up.

(Note: there are some nuances to following up more than twice, for which you should review Launch Your Career)

Crafting the Email

Subject Line

Keep it clear and professional. Make sure it is specific to your application.

Example: “Follow-Up on [Job Title] Application – [Your Name]”

How To Write Your Follow-Up Email

  1. Mindset:
    • Assume they didn’t see your message, probably because they were too busy.
    • Assume they will be interested in your application.
    • They will be happy that you reached out, once they hire you.
    • Write a new letter, don’t copy/paste the old one, because you care about this job.
  2. Introduction:
    • Greet the recipient professionally. Be friendly.
    • Briefly re-introduce yourself and the position you applied for.
  3. Purpose:
    • State the reason for your follow-up.
    • Reiterate your interest in the position.
    • Don’t make a big thing out of the fact that you are following up. 
  4. Value Proposition:
    • Highlight a few key qualifications or experiences relevant to the job.
    • Provide slightly different qualifications or experiences compared to your last letter. (If they read your last letter, this will add more value to your application.)
    • Mention any additional information that could strengthen your application.
  5. Conclusion:
    • Express your interest in providing further information and scheduling an interview.
    • Thank the recipient for their time and consideration.

Sample Follow-Up Email

Subject: Follow-Up on Marketing Manager Application – John Doe

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I recently applied for the Marketing Manager position at [Company Name] on [Date of Application], and I wanted to follow up to reiterate my interest in the role.

With over five years of experience in digital marketing and a proven track record of increasing online engagement by 38%, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills to [Company Name]. My background in data-driven marketing should fit right in with your team.

If there is any additional information I can provide to support my application, please let me know. I am eager to discuss next steps.

Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,

John Doe

[Phone Number]

[LinkedIn Profile]

Understanding Employer Psychology

One of the primary reasons employers often disregard communication from job seekers is because, in practical terms, they’re essentially speaking a different language.

Here’s how it works:

The Land of Attention vs. The Land of Execution

When communicating with employers, you might think you are in the “land of execution,” but in reality, you are in the “land of attention.”

Understanding this distinction is crucial for your job search success.

The land of execution is where we spend most of our professional lives. It’s where we solve problems, generate results, get educated, and interact with others using professional terminology.

For instance, saying “I wrote a search algorithm using the Levenshtein ratio to find duplicates” or “Decreased our cost of lead acquisition while increasing our LTV” is speaking in the language of execution. These specifics make sense to professionals in the same field but can be gibberish to others, especially those gatekeepers in HR.

In contrast, the land of attention is the mind-space people occupy when they are casually browsing or scanning through information quickly. This is where HR, recruiters, and hiring managers are when they read your resume or cover letter. They are not in deep, analytical mode but rather looking for quick, obvious, standout details that grab their attention.

Capture Their Attention

To capture their attention effectively, you need to:

  • Use Concise and Clear Communication: Avoid jargon and be direct.
  • Present Visual Appeal: Use a clean, professional resume format. Keep your cover letters and emails concise – no one wants to read a wall of text.
  • Highlight Value: Clearly show how you can solve the employer’s problems or meet their needs. Their brain wants proof, not promises, so… Show them the proof.

By speaking the language of attention, you increase the likelihood that your application will stand out in the crowded job market.

Cognitive Shortcuts

Employers, much like everyone else, rely on cognitive shortcuts to swiftly process vast amounts of information. These mental shortcuts are ingrained patterns of thinking that help us make rapid decisions.

To ensure your application grabs their attention effectively, consider the following:

  1. Priming: Employers are primed to notice certain details, such as titles, employer names, achievements or specific skills. Highlighting these key points (visually) can trigger positive associations and make your application stand out.
  2. Social Proof: Incorporate elements of social proof, such as endorsements from previous employers or quantifiable achievements. This boosts your credibility and appeals to employers’ innate tendency to trust others’ opinions.
  3. Anchoring: Utilize anchoring by placing your most impressive achievements or qualifications at the beginning of your application. This sets a positive initial impression and influences employers’ subsequent evaluations. (We even instruct our students to increase the font size for these elements in documents)

By understanding and leveraging these cognitive shortcuts, you can optimize your application to resonate with employers on a subconscious level, increasing the likelihood of capturing their attention.

Conclusion

By understanding how employers actually read your communications, and effectively following up, you can increase your chances of getting noticed.

For more in-depth strategies and personalized guidance, consider our courses designed to help you secure high-value jobs and advance your career.

Additional Resources