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Should follow-up be promised in a cover letter? [closed]
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I recently wrote a cover letter in which I promised to follow up in a specific amount of time. My reasoning was that I would be able to demonstrate a small measure of credibility by following through on a commitment, as well as creating a setting that would side step some of the potential awkwardness of following up on applications. I should note that I did this at the behest of a friend who formerly worked in HR for a large corporation and currently teaches a university level course on all things job application.
How is this practice viewed by HR? What impression of me does it leave?
applications cover-letter follow-up
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
closed as primarily opinion-based by jcmeloni, Adam V, Jim G., user9158, Michael Grubey Jul 30 '13 at 7:33
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
favorite
I recently wrote a cover letter in which I promised to follow up in a specific amount of time. My reasoning was that I would be able to demonstrate a small measure of credibility by following through on a commitment, as well as creating a setting that would side step some of the potential awkwardness of following up on applications. I should note that I did this at the behest of a friend who formerly worked in HR for a large corporation and currently teaches a university level course on all things job application.
How is this practice viewed by HR? What impression of me does it leave?
applications cover-letter follow-up
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
closed as primarily opinion-based by jcmeloni, Adam V, Jim G., user9158, Michael Grubey Jul 30 '13 at 7:33
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
2
Hello Toots, and welcome to The Workplace! The best questions do more than just polling, they make people want to answer why and how. If you could edit to focus your question to get some why or how answers you'll be much better answer quality. For instance, "How would an employer react to making promises such as follow-up timing in a cover letter?" That would be a more general question that allowed people to explain how cover letters are read, and what's evaluated
– jmac
Jul 30 '13 at 8:54
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
favorite
up vote
-2
down vote
favorite
I recently wrote a cover letter in which I promised to follow up in a specific amount of time. My reasoning was that I would be able to demonstrate a small measure of credibility by following through on a commitment, as well as creating a setting that would side step some of the potential awkwardness of following up on applications. I should note that I did this at the behest of a friend who formerly worked in HR for a large corporation and currently teaches a university level course on all things job application.
How is this practice viewed by HR? What impression of me does it leave?
applications cover-letter follow-up
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
I recently wrote a cover letter in which I promised to follow up in a specific amount of time. My reasoning was that I would be able to demonstrate a small measure of credibility by following through on a commitment, as well as creating a setting that would side step some of the potential awkwardness of following up on applications. I should note that I did this at the behest of a friend who formerly worked in HR for a large corporation and currently teaches a university level course on all things job application.
How is this practice viewed by HR? What impression of me does it leave?
applications cover-letter follow-up
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
edited Aug 20 '14 at 22:49
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
1,0111230
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
asked Jul 29 '13 at 20:07
toots
22
22
closed as primarily opinion-based by jcmeloni, Adam V, Jim G., user9158, Michael Grubey Jul 30 '13 at 7:33
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as primarily opinion-based by jcmeloni, Adam V, Jim G., user9158, Michael Grubey Jul 30 '13 at 7:33
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
2
Hello Toots, and welcome to The Workplace! The best questions do more than just polling, they make people want to answer why and how. If you could edit to focus your question to get some why or how answers you'll be much better answer quality. For instance, "How would an employer react to making promises such as follow-up timing in a cover letter?" That would be a more general question that allowed people to explain how cover letters are read, and what's evaluated
– jmac
Jul 30 '13 at 8:54
add a comment |Â
2
Hello Toots, and welcome to The Workplace! The best questions do more than just polling, they make people want to answer why and how. If you could edit to focus your question to get some why or how answers you'll be much better answer quality. For instance, "How would an employer react to making promises such as follow-up timing in a cover letter?" That would be a more general question that allowed people to explain how cover letters are read, and what's evaluated
– jmac
Jul 30 '13 at 8:54
2
2
Hello Toots, and welcome to The Workplace! The best questions do more than just polling, they make people want to answer why and how. If you could edit to focus your question to get some why or how answers you'll be much better answer quality. For instance, "How would an employer react to making promises such as follow-up timing in a cover letter?" That would be a more general question that allowed people to explain how cover letters are read, and what's evaluated
– jmac
Jul 30 '13 at 8:54
Hello Toots, and welcome to The Workplace! The best questions do more than just polling, they make people want to answer why and how. If you could edit to focus your question to get some why or how answers you'll be much better answer quality. For instance, "How would an employer react to making promises such as follow-up timing in a cover letter?" That would be a more general question that allowed people to explain how cover letters are read, and what's evaluated
– jmac
Jul 30 '13 at 8:54
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
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oldest
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up vote
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I don't think it's a good idea.
If you're the one applying for a job, it's incumbent upon the company you're applying to to get back to you if they want to continue.
In addition, telling them "I'll write/call back on <date>" has no affect if:
a) they haven't started looking at applications by then, or
b) the appropriate person isn't available to respond on that date.
Ideally, they'd write you back right away to tell you "we won't have anything to tell you by that date; we'll contact you when we're ready", but even that requires them to parse every incoming cover letter immediately just to determine whether such a response is needed.
You will have plenty of time to show punctuality and commitment throughout the interviewing process, but this just seems like a gimmick.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Considering I've done hiring where I had to wade though 1000 resumes, I can tell you that followup is good if and only if we have had an interview. If not, then don't bother me, I will call you if I am interested. No one wants their time filled with 1000 random people calling them about a job you are not interested in interviewing them for. Hiring officials especially hate stalker types who call repeatedly. I'm not going to tell you if I am not interested, but be assured that if I never call to schedule an interview, I am not. Nor do I want to be pushed to make interview choices on your schedule not mine. There may be business reasons why we have not done the interviews yet (hiring freezes, the hiring offical having a family emergency, no resumes that make us go wow I want that guy, an overly bureaucratic HR process etc.). You gain nothing by putting that you will call in the cover letter and may actually be looked as as a potential pest to be avoided.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
I don't think it's a good idea.
If you're the one applying for a job, it's incumbent upon the company you're applying to to get back to you if they want to continue.
In addition, telling them "I'll write/call back on <date>" has no affect if:
a) they haven't started looking at applications by then, or
b) the appropriate person isn't available to respond on that date.
Ideally, they'd write you back right away to tell you "we won't have anything to tell you by that date; we'll contact you when we're ready", but even that requires them to parse every incoming cover letter immediately just to determine whether such a response is needed.
You will have plenty of time to show punctuality and commitment throughout the interviewing process, but this just seems like a gimmick.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
I don't think it's a good idea.
If you're the one applying for a job, it's incumbent upon the company you're applying to to get back to you if they want to continue.
In addition, telling them "I'll write/call back on <date>" has no affect if:
a) they haven't started looking at applications by then, or
b) the appropriate person isn't available to respond on that date.
Ideally, they'd write you back right away to tell you "we won't have anything to tell you by that date; we'll contact you when we're ready", but even that requires them to parse every incoming cover letter immediately just to determine whether such a response is needed.
You will have plenty of time to show punctuality and commitment throughout the interviewing process, but this just seems like a gimmick.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
I don't think it's a good idea.
If you're the one applying for a job, it's incumbent upon the company you're applying to to get back to you if they want to continue.
In addition, telling them "I'll write/call back on <date>" has no affect if:
a) they haven't started looking at applications by then, or
b) the appropriate person isn't available to respond on that date.
Ideally, they'd write you back right away to tell you "we won't have anything to tell you by that date; we'll contact you when we're ready", but even that requires them to parse every incoming cover letter immediately just to determine whether such a response is needed.
You will have plenty of time to show punctuality and commitment throughout the interviewing process, but this just seems like a gimmick.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
I don't think it's a good idea.
If you're the one applying for a job, it's incumbent upon the company you're applying to to get back to you if they want to continue.
In addition, telling them "I'll write/call back on <date>" has no affect if:
a) they haven't started looking at applications by then, or
b) the appropriate person isn't available to respond on that date.
Ideally, they'd write you back right away to tell you "we won't have anything to tell you by that date; we'll contact you when we're ready", but even that requires them to parse every incoming cover letter immediately just to determine whether such a response is needed.
You will have plenty of time to show punctuality and commitment throughout the interviewing process, but this just seems like a gimmick.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:07
Adam V
7,95722844
7,95722844
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
add a comment |Â
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
In addition, you won't know how they prefer a follow-up: phone call, e-mail - while a written card may be a decent default choice, relying on it arriving in a timely manner may not be.
– user2813274
Aug 21 '14 at 17:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Considering I've done hiring where I had to wade though 1000 resumes, I can tell you that followup is good if and only if we have had an interview. If not, then don't bother me, I will call you if I am interested. No one wants their time filled with 1000 random people calling them about a job you are not interested in interviewing them for. Hiring officials especially hate stalker types who call repeatedly. I'm not going to tell you if I am not interested, but be assured that if I never call to schedule an interview, I am not. Nor do I want to be pushed to make interview choices on your schedule not mine. There may be business reasons why we have not done the interviews yet (hiring freezes, the hiring offical having a family emergency, no resumes that make us go wow I want that guy, an overly bureaucratic HR process etc.). You gain nothing by putting that you will call in the cover letter and may actually be looked as as a potential pest to be avoided.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Considering I've done hiring where I had to wade though 1000 resumes, I can tell you that followup is good if and only if we have had an interview. If not, then don't bother me, I will call you if I am interested. No one wants their time filled with 1000 random people calling them about a job you are not interested in interviewing them for. Hiring officials especially hate stalker types who call repeatedly. I'm not going to tell you if I am not interested, but be assured that if I never call to schedule an interview, I am not. Nor do I want to be pushed to make interview choices on your schedule not mine. There may be business reasons why we have not done the interviews yet (hiring freezes, the hiring offical having a family emergency, no resumes that make us go wow I want that guy, an overly bureaucratic HR process etc.). You gain nothing by putting that you will call in the cover letter and may actually be looked as as a potential pest to be avoided.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Considering I've done hiring where I had to wade though 1000 resumes, I can tell you that followup is good if and only if we have had an interview. If not, then don't bother me, I will call you if I am interested. No one wants their time filled with 1000 random people calling them about a job you are not interested in interviewing them for. Hiring officials especially hate stalker types who call repeatedly. I'm not going to tell you if I am not interested, but be assured that if I never call to schedule an interview, I am not. Nor do I want to be pushed to make interview choices on your schedule not mine. There may be business reasons why we have not done the interviews yet (hiring freezes, the hiring offical having a family emergency, no resumes that make us go wow I want that guy, an overly bureaucratic HR process etc.). You gain nothing by putting that you will call in the cover letter and may actually be looked as as a potential pest to be avoided.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
Considering I've done hiring where I had to wade though 1000 resumes, I can tell you that followup is good if and only if we have had an interview. If not, then don't bother me, I will call you if I am interested. No one wants their time filled with 1000 random people calling them about a job you are not interested in interviewing them for. Hiring officials especially hate stalker types who call repeatedly. I'm not going to tell you if I am not interested, but be assured that if I never call to schedule an interview, I am not. Nor do I want to be pushed to make interview choices on your schedule not mine. There may be business reasons why we have not done the interviews yet (hiring freezes, the hiring offical having a family emergency, no resumes that make us go wow I want that guy, an overly bureaucratic HR process etc.). You gain nothing by putting that you will call in the cover letter and may actually be looked as as a potential pest to be avoided.
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
answered Jul 29 '13 at 21:34
HLGEM
133k25227489
133k25227489
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2
Hello Toots, and welcome to The Workplace! The best questions do more than just polling, they make people want to answer why and how. If you could edit to focus your question to get some why or how answers you'll be much better answer quality. For instance, "How would an employer react to making promises such as follow-up timing in a cover letter?" That would be a more general question that allowed people to explain how cover letters are read, and what's evaluated
– jmac
Jul 30 '13 at 8:54