Follow Up Email/letter Job Appl.

[BASSclary]

So I recently applied to Gander Mountain for a position in the Fishing Dept., and was wondering the appropriate time to send a follow up email, or a letter to them.

 

I think it would help to show that i'm seriously interested in the job and let them know that I am very knowledgeable in fishing.

 

I was thinking a letter would be better, but i'm not sure if it would get to the right person there, I couldn't find any info on their website about it, likewise with emailing the particular store, and I think it would just go to customer service and I dont think that is what I want.

 

If you guys could help me out a little bit that would be great because I really want to work in something I love, that isn't pizza haha. Plus the emp. disc cant hurt 

[ww2farmer]

If they are anything like our local Gander Mtn's and Dicks, seeing as you know what a fish is makes you WAYYYYYYYYYYYY over qualified to work in the fishing dept. 

[slonezp]

How about a phone call?

[ClackerBuzz]

Did you sit down with a manager?  If so you could call them 2-3 day's after.  Sending an email to corporate would be a stretch.  Instead call the 800 number and see if the specific store has a special email acct (Staples has individual store emails like that). If so you could send an email to it (addressed to the managers name).  good luck!

[Bassn Blvd]

Can you go back and talk to the manager in person.

[endless]

Either speak to a manager or call and talk to human resources to see if they look and reviewed your application.

[Hyrule Bass]

i would make a phone call or show up in person and inquire on your status. forget the email idea altogether...

[Jigfishn10]

If you are trying to follow up on an application only, then I would wait a few days and then make the trip to the store and speak to the MOD directly about the status of your application.

 

If you had an interview then follow up letters are always a good idea, IMHO. I would only e-mail that person if you knew them very well and if you don't, write a letter and mail to the store location with the name of the person on the envelope. You could always deliver in person, but I think US Postal is the right way to go.

 

Good luck!

[SirSnookalot]

I've never had a job or dealt with any kind of employment department but have dealt with countless numbers of large companies.  Forget emails, too common these days. Forget the phone, receptionists are trained to screen them or automated voice prompts can be a nightmare.  In person may be ok but dealing with person a can make bit tough to get past hers/his desk.  I'd try a hand written (very legible) letter that has to be signed for, I'd be willing to bet that letter gets read, if nothing else it will show how serious you are.  ANY JERK CAN SEND AN EMAIL, ya wanna get noticed, ya gotta stand out.

[Scorcher214]

Nice advice snook. I just applied to my local DICKs, they know nothing about fishing, they need me. Asked them if they had any 3/4oz football jigs (they didnt...),the lady tried to sell me some walleye jigs, saying they should work the same.  

[SirSnookalot]

@scorcher.....bassclary objective is to get a job.  In this age of texts and emails how many emails do we get that we never read and just delete them, for me it's most of them unless I recognize the person.  I once needed a question answered, the person that was going to get the information for me sent an email to an associate, took nearly a week to get back to me.  What I found strange was that both of those people had their cubicles right next to each other, all one had do was stand up and talk to the guy, I was standing right there and could have had my answer in a few seconds.  That experience and other ones as well taught me to seek alternate ways to contact people, as I say you need to be noticed above others.  A hand written shows than an applicant wants THAT job not just any job for a paycheck, show a passion and emotion, never hurts, but not a guarantee either.

 

One of my employment hiring rules was never to hire anyone sharper than me, they could very well be my next competition, mid level managers in corporate America do the same thing, always protecting their job.

Hence my signature "I'll teach you everything you need to know, but not everything I know."........lol

[Root beer]

@scorcher.....bassclary objective is to get a job.  In this age of texts and emails how many emails do we get that we never read and just delete them, for me it's most of them unless I recognize the person.  I once needed a question answered, the person that was going to get the information for me sent an email to an associate, took nearly a week to get back to me.  What I found strange was that both of those people had their cubicles right next to each other, all one had do was stand up and talk to the guy, I was standing right there and could have had my answer in a few seconds.  That experience and other ones as well taught me to seek alternate ways to contact people, as I say you need to be noticed above others.  A hand written shows than an applicant wants THAT job not just any job for a paycheck, show a passion and emotion, never hurts, but not a guarantee either.

 

One of my employment hiring rules was never to hire anyone sharper than me, they could very well be my next competition, mid level managers in corporate America do the same thing, always protecting their job.

Hence my signature "I'll teach you everything you need to know, but not everything I know."........lol

 

A lot of hiring managers now accept e-mails as a form of thank you letters after interviews. If you get a business card from an interview and it has an e-mail on it, e-mail that address. The trick is the formatting and etiquette. I personally know if you write the same format and professional etiquette to two different managers, one will throw it away and the other will read it and appreciate it. Recruiters are weird...

[flyfisher]

Emails are an accepted form of communication. As has already been stated, if their contact info has an email use it. Also a letter is really nice but I have seen way more of those tossed in the trash and that is assuming they even got to the tight department.

Given this is a retail job I would just walk in, dressed almost to the point if an interview but not totally, and speak to the manager on duty. Retail takes a while sometimes to get through the door and actually get a job but keep at it and your work will pay off.

[Root beer]

I remember when I was in high school, I interviewed for two retail positions. One gave me the job at the first interview on the spot. I later applied to another retail store because I was tired of working at Kmart, and the Store Manager that interviewed me said he would be in touch. I never heard from him again. lol. The hiring process is madness. I don't know what your goals are in life, assuming you want a professional white collar job, the hiring process is plain madness at this level. It can be ridiculous depending on some variables and who you are. You can travel to a job interview where the potential employer will pay for the hotel, dinner with a recruiter,(they'll also pick up the bill.) and meet with three mangers the following day and still not get the job. As I said, you can act completely professional to one person and get a job, but you act in the same manner to another they'll dismiss you. I say again, recruiters are weird.

[preach4bass]

I understand wanting to stand out, and agree that sending a hard copy of any document can help do that (in addition to e-mail).  But, this is not the 1950s.  If you send me a hand written note I'm not going to hire you.  Type it out and print it off.  Hand written notes are for love letters, not business correspondence.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

How about a phone call?

 

The best information in the thread also happens to be the shortest answer.

 

Call the store location you applied to work at, ask for a manager in the department you applied for and they will let you know if your application has been received.

 

Not all GM locations have employees without a clue. I've been to Bass Pro, Cabela's and Dick's and they all had their fair share of completely clueless employees.

[Quitlimpin]

Go to the customer service desk, tell them why you are there, and ask if you could meet/speak to the Manager. Look him in the eye and slap a FIRM handshake on him. Make him believe that you're the right man for the job. Luckily my shop doesn't have too much turnover, but when I do go though the hiring process, I remember the guys who come in confident.

[jbsoonerfan]

Go to the customer service desk, tell them why you are there, and ask if you could meet/speak to the Manager. Look him in the eye and slap a FIRM handshake on him. Make him believe that you're the right man for the job. Luckily my shop doesn't have too much turnover, but when I do go though the hiring process, I remember the guys who come in confident.

Yes! Face-to-face. My family owns a business and so many times people will fill out an application just so they can continue their unemployment benefits. (something about having to "try" to get a job) but if someone is serious, all they need to do is ask to speak to my step-dad and they are usually given an opportunity.

[BASSclary]

Thank you very much for all of the advice guys, in a few days i'll probably make the trip down their to try and speak to the manager of the fishing dept. Since i've already applied online, I want to make sure it probably gets there, and then I was thinking since they already have my application, I could hand them my resume and cover letter, (I sent my resume when I applied, but no area for cover letter), that way they have something in hand with all my contact info already on there.

[tomustang]

Gander mountain management getting a follow up letter for an interview, they would probably think it's stalking

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Gander mountain management getting a follow up letter for an interview, they would probably think it's stalking

 

LOL, aint that the truth.

 

 

Clary, how about you listen to what I told you earlier in the thread. I just MAY know what I'm talking about since I've been working at one going on 4 years now.

 

 

BTW, apply for anything they will give you at first. Easier to fill whatever hole they need at the store and then transfer to your preferred department.

 

Keep in mind, you're not applying at the most prime time of the year. Retail's money is really made from October through December. That is typically when the most people get called back due to seasonal needs. It's during that time you can prove your worth and have a better shot of keeping a job there.

[Scorcher214]

Snook, I  legitimately liked your advice. Not sure if you thought I was being sarcastic or if you were just elaborating.