A sports broadcaster in California applied for a job in-state. He didn’t hear anything from the employer for a couple weeks so he sent a follow up. He mentioned that one reason for applying was that he and his family regularly vacationed in this community. He finally heard from the employer two weeks later, set up an interview, and got the job.
He won with polite persistence.
These do’s and don’ts will help you create a strategy for following up your sports broadcasting job applications.
DO these things to follow up…
1. State a follow-up date
At the end of your cover letter, state a date upon which you will follow up with the employer.
2. Follow-up by phone
Your first follow-up should usually be by phone. It gives the employer opportunity to hear your personality and demonstrates the confidence that broadcasting employers value. Leave a message if you get their voice mail.
3. Be personal
Tell the employer why they are of particular interest to you. Then state what you bring to the table — your skills that are relevant to the job.
4. Be politely persistent
If an employer is not going to hire you, make them tell you no. Being creative is a great way to be politely persistent.
5. Weigh “no calls please” individually
If “no calls please” is in all caps with an exclamation point, don’t call. However, some employers write “no calls please” yet appreciate when job seekers follow up via phone because it shows a degree of determination that they respect. Weigh each situation individually. If you know somebody who knows the employer, ask the person how they think the employer would feel about you calling.
A sports radio program director in Chicago told me he always called when an ad said “no calls please.” It made him stand out because nobody else was doing it.
6. Don’t call again
After your initial call, make your other follow-ups via e-mail or snail mail because telephone calls can quickly become annoying.
DON’T make these mistakes…
1. Ask for a reply
The employer will get back to you if they are interested.
2. Ask for a critique
You are asking employers for jobs, not critiques. Plus, asking for a critique reflects inexperience. If the employer doesn’t know you and doesn’t want to hire you, they probably don’t want to critique you either.
