Follow Up During a Job Search After a Telephone Contact

Letter #1

Copied

Thank you for explaining your need for an experienced editor on your staff. As I indicated on the phone, I am very interested in the position. I have gained very valuable experience editing a campus paper, and have further sharpened my skills during these past two years as Chief Editor for the Doe Magazine. It would be a pleasure to serve on your editing staff. If the opportunity is still available, would appreciate a chance to discuss it with you in an interview. I can be reached at home at 555-5555 or at work at 555-5555. I hope to hear from you soon.

Letter #2

Copied

I appreciated your willingness to speak with me on the phone yesterday. Since learning of your need for a customer service representative, I have been eager to apply for the position. I have enclosed a copy of my resume, complete with references. As you will see, I have the training and experience that you require for the support team. I would like to continue our telephone conversation in person, and can be reached for an interview, if you wish, at 555-5555. You may call at your convenience since my phone is equipped with voice mail. I hope to hear from you soon.

Letter #3

Copied

I appreciated your telephone call yesterday informing me of a new opening in your marketing division. As my resume indicates, I have had extensive experience during the past eight years as the Director of Marketing for Doe Corporation, where I gained my ability to successfully market your products throughout Northern Europe. I speak the primary languages of concern, and have established many valuable contacts there. I would be pleased to have an interview with you. I may be reached by phone at 555-5555. It would be an honor to associate with your firm.

Letter #4

Copied

As you may recall, I phoned you last week about the assistant manager position Doe has available. Enclosed is a copy of my resume which indicates my prior managerial experience. Currently, I manage the schedules and shifts of fifteen employees, so I am well-suited for the type of work Doe is advertising. May we schedule a time when we can discuss my qualifications further? Please call me at 555-5555 to arrange a date. Thank you for considering me for the position.

Letter #5

Copied

I was very pleased with our telephone conversation regarding the technical editor position you have open. Thank you for agreeing to read my resume, which I have enclosed. I am confident you will find my qualifications exceptional and my requirements modest. Furthermore, as our interview will reveal, I will make a very personable and flexible addition to the office. I shall call you before the weekend to arrange an interview if you indicate this is convenient. I very much admire your operation and am hopeful we can find a way to work together.

How to Write this Follow-Up Letter: Expert Tips and Guidelines

Write this letter within a day or two of the telephone contact, with the primary goal of obtaining an interview or face-to-face meeting.

Steps

  1. Remind the recipient of the telephone contact, expressing gratitude as appropriate.
  2. State why you are suitable for the position.
  3. Request an interview or meeting.
  4. Close, if desired, with an additional positive statement.

Write Your follow-Up in Minutes: Easy Step-by-Step Guide with Sample Sentences and Phrases

1 Remind the recipient of the telephone contact, expressing gratitude as appropriate.

Sample Sentences for Step 1

  • I appreciate the time you gave me yesterday to discuss the new position at Doe Corporation.
  • Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions about the position at Doe Corporation.
  • As we agreed in yesterday's conversation, I am enclosing a copy of my resume.
  • In response to our telephone conversation of May 16, here is an updated copy of my resume.
  • This letter is in response to your ad in The Springfield Gazette, and to our phone conversation this morning.
  • During our telephone conversation yesterday afternoon, you offered to forward my resume to your Springfield office. Here is an updated copy that I would appreciate you sending. Thank you very much for your help.
  • Thank you for describing the opening in your catering department at Doe Foods. I believe I can be of value to you.

Key Phrases for Step 1

  • am enclosing a copy of my resume
  • appreciate the time you gave me on Friday
  • as per my telephone conversation with
  • as we agreed in our conversation
  • as you requested
  • as you will recall
  • believe that I can be of value to you
  • for explaining the opening in your firm
  • have completed my degree in
  • have enclosed a copy of a letter of recommendation
  • have enclosed my resume
  • here is an updated copy
  • in reference to our telephone conversation
  • in response to our telephone discussion
  • spoke about my qualifications
  • tell you a little about myself
  • thank you for taking the time to answer my questions about the position
  • this letter confirms our meeting on
  • this letter is in response to your ad
2 State why you are suitable for the position.

Sample Sentences for Step 2

  • As you will see from the enclosed resume, I have had considerable experience in production management. I believe I can make a significant contribution to the smooth running of your plant.
  • As my resume shows, I have an excellent track record in working with subcontractors, and have consistently completed my projects on time and within the agreed-upon budget.
  • As my career background and references show, I am meticulous and have a talent for anticipating and overcoming unforeseen difficulties.
  • Since our conversation, I have completed my MFA and have designed logos for the following companies:
  • My background includes three years of sales experience, during which time I more than doubled the annual sales in both of the areas to which I was assigned.
  • You will see from the enclosed resume that I have many business contacts in the Rocky Mountain region, a network that would be of considerable value to your marketing efforts.
  • You asked about my experience with computers. I am familiar with office suite applications in both the IBM and Macintosh operating systems. I also teach an evening class in word processing at our local community college.
  • I am looking for a position that will offer both challenges and long-range career prospects.

Key Phrases for Step 2

  • a network of relationships which would be valuable to
  • am an articulate and bright professional
  • am meticulous
  • am a fanatic for attention to detail and excellence
  • am confident that I can make similar contributions to
  • am familiar with
  • as my academic and career background reveal
  • as my career background and references show
  • as my resume shows in detail
  • as is evident from my resume
  • as you requested
  • as you will see from the enclosed resume
  • asked about my experience
  • believe I can help you
  • believe I can contribute a great deal to your firm
  • believe I can make a significant contribution
  • have had considerable experience
  • have many business contacts in this area
  • have an excellent track record
  • have completed my degree
  • have some excellent experience
  • have had experience working with
  • long-range career prospects
  • my experience is directly related to the experience you require
  • my background includes experience with
  • my educational background provides a strong foundation
  • my experiences as a receptionist are readily transferable
  • my background includes
  • offer nearly two years experience
  • opportunity with potential
  • present myself well
  • since our previous conversation
  • since we last spoke
  • teach an evening class at our local community college
  • that special position which
  • will find an outline resume
  • will offer a challenge and a career
  • would really like to get back to a corporate environment
3 Request an interview or meeting.

Sample Sentences for Step 3

  • May I suggest a personal interview to discuss your needs and my qualifications in more detail? You can reach me at 555-5555.
  • I realize how hard it can be to use a resume to judge a person's suitability for a particular position. I will be in Springfield next week and will call you to see if we might schedule a meeting.
  • I will call you on Wednesday, June 21, to see if we can meet for further discussion.
  • I am planning to make a move at the end of September, after I complete all my current projects. Please let me know when we might meet to discuss your needs.
  • I will call you next week to find out when we might get together to discuss this matter further.
  • You can reach me at 555-5555. I am interested in meeting with you to discuss what possibilities exist for us to work together.
  • Resumes are of necessity brief and incomplete. I would be happy to meet with you or your clients to discuss how I can be of service.
  • I look forward to continuing our telephone conversation in person.
  • I would like to meet with you and show you some of the training materials I have developed.

Key Phrases for Step 3

  • am interested in meeting with you
  • arrange a mutually convenient time to meet
  • can reached me directly at
  • can reach me at
  • decide when we might get together
  • discuss what possibilities exist
  • discuss how I can be of service to you
  • discussion what possibilities exist
  • find out when we might get together to discuss
  • how I can contribute to your company
  • if you have any questions
  • let me know when we can meet to discuss your needs
  • letters and resumes are not entirely satisfactory
  • like to meet you
  • look forward to continuing our telephone conversation in person
  • please call me at my home, at 555-5555, or my work at
  • resumes and letters cannot, by their nature, tell the entire story
  • see if we can meet for further discussion
  • set an appointment for further discussion
  • suggest a personal interview to discuss your needs and my qualifications
  • will call you to see if we might schedule a meeting at that time
  • will be in Springfield on
  • will contact you in the near future
  • will be happy to discuss with you
  • will be in your area
  • would like to meet with you to discuss
  • would welcome the opportunity to discuss
4 Close, if desired, with an additional positive statement.

Sample Sentences for Step 4

  • I admire Doe Corporation for its excellent products and outstanding customer service, and I would be happy to be associated with your company.
  • I would be very pleased to lend my skills to a company of Doe's stature.
  • Thank you for your consideration.
  • Thank you for your time and consideration.
  • I look forward to hearing from you.

Key Phrases for Step 4

  • admire Doe Corporation for its excellence
  • for your time in considering me for the position
  • for your time and consideration
  • for working out this time for us to meet
  • happy to be associated with your organization
  • look forward to hearing from you
  • look forward to our meeting
  • look forward to meeting with you
  • thank you for your interest
  • thank you for your flexibility
  • thanks again
  • to hear from you in the near future
  • would consider it a tremendous opportunity
  • would be very pleased to lend my skills to a company of this stature