Follow-Up Phone Calls

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Resources

AgCareers.com Newsletter
Employment Trends (PDF) USDA
Offer Evaluation Tips
(MU College of Business)
What recent MU graduates earn: Destination Survey
(MU Div. of Enrollment Mgmt.)
Negotiation Skills
(MU College of Business)
Job and Internship Resources (by industry and type)
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Handbook: Supervising an Intern

Following-up on an application for an internship or professional position lets employers know you are a serious candidate and might also draw attention to your qualifications. It is appropriate to call one to two weeks after sending your resume.

Contact Person's Name

Make sure you can pronounce the contact person's name. If you are unsure, call someone in the office and ask. Simply say, "I am trying to contact Mr. Gourgonzoula, I believe his last name is pronounced 'Gorgonzola.' I want to make sure I am pronouncing his name correctly. Is that right?"

Resume

Be sure you have your resume in front of you when you place the call. This is important for several reasons. First, your site contact may ask you about your experience. If you're nervous when you make the call, you may not be able to recall some of the classes you've taken or previous work you've done. It will also remind you about what the employer might already know and how you might elaborate on qualifications.

Professional Demeanor, Enthusiasm and Quiet Surroundings

You want your call to sound professional, so find a quiet time and area to make the call, preferably when roommates are not around and without the distraction of the TV, radio, etc. Remember to project enthusiasm on the phone to ensure that the site contact person can detect your interest. Posture and professional dress help. If you sit or stand up straight, you'll sound more professional than if you're lounging or lying down.

Practice

It is helpful to practice what you are going to say before contacting your potential internship sites. Review the information above and practice!

Making the Call

Identify yourself and ask the receptionist for the internship contact person.

For example you could say, "Hello, my name is Sara Smith. I'm from the University of Missouri-Columbia and am inquiring about an internship with (company name). May I speak with Paul Ryan, please?"

Once the contact person is on the phone, repeat your introduction and clarify your interest.

One way to say this would be, "Hello, Mr. Ryan, my name is Sara Smith, and I'm a junior biochemistry major at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I'm inquiring about your internship in the environmental safety/compliance department and confirming that you received the resume I sent last week. Have I reached you at a convenient time?"

If you have reached Mr. Ryan at an inconvenient time, be brief and offer to call back later.

Once Mr. Ryan indicates that he has received your resume and that it is a good time to talk, you might offer, "I'm excited about the environmental field, particularly as it pertains to industry. Would it be possible to set up a time to interview and talk further about opportunities in the field?"

If Mr. Ryan is not the appropriate person to speak with, he will most likely forward you to the correct individual. Make sure you ask this individual if she or he would like you to submit additional information. (Somewhere during the conversation, you should mention whether you would like to do the internship for credit or not. This might be important information for some companies.)

You may be able to set up an interview; however, be prepared for a couple of other scenarios. One, your contact might indicate that they are still in the screening process and not prepared to set up interviews. In this case it would be perfectly appropriate to inquire, "When do you expect to make the decision?" Then you may call back if you haven't received notification shortly after the deadline you were given.

Also be prepared to be told that they don't currently have a position or that it has been filled. If truly interested in the position/company, offer to call back in three to six months to see if new opportunities are available.