When you’re looking for a job, it takes persistence, effort, and confidence. You need to be able to state what you’re good at and why you’re the right person for the job.
However, if you don’t get the job, there is one more step you can take. Take some time and write an email thanking the interviewer for their time and include this sentence: “Please keep me in mind for future opportunities.”
Why? Because you just never know if the company might decide to take on more than one person. You don’t know if the person they chose for the job might get a better offer. Anything could happen, and if it does, a simple thank you email after an interview, asking to be kept in mind for other jobs, could make you the one that’s most likely to get a call.
In addition, you can also use the same phrase when you’re sending out cover letters to companies that don’t currently have any suitable vacancies.
“Between 70% and 80% of jobs aren’t advertised or published online or offline.” – EarthWeb
You don’t know if you don’t try. And you might just send a letter at the perfect time. Just a little more effort on your part could put you ahead of other candidates.
“Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.” – Norman Vincent Peale
How to approach writing your letter
1) Do your research
If you’re writing to say thank you after an interview, you can skip this step as, by now, you definitely should know about the company you’re writing to.
If, on the other hand, you’re writing to a new company with no current vacancies, then dig deep and learn everything you can about them.
Firstly, you have a better chance of coming across well and showing you’re paying attention.
“47% of interviewers said that they wouldn’t offer the job to a candidate if they had little knowledge of the company.” – Twin Employment
Secondly, it’s easier to write your letter if you understand who you’re writing to.
Lastly, you’re looking for reasons why you want to work for this particular company, so you can include that in your letter.
2) Plan what you’re going to say
Take your time and sketch out an outline of your letter. Think about the points you want to make and what you think your chosen company will want to hear. Though, of course, do be genuine and honest in your letter.
You’ll find it easier to write if you plan your letter first.
3) Find the right person to approach
Never address your letter to “Dear Sir/Madam.” It’s impersonal and doesn’t create a good impression right from the beginning of your letter. It also shows a distinct lack of effort which won’t impress either.
Find out exactly who you should be writing to and the right department, then address them as they want to be addressed.
It’s obviously important to use their correct title, such as Dr., Mrs., or Ms., and to spell their name correctly. However, it’s equally important to use the right gender pronouns.
4) Proofread and then proofread again
Anyone can make a mistake, but the mistake you don’t want to make is sending an unchecked letter to a potential employer.
While the odd missing comma won’t get you banned for life from any company, it’s important to check your work before you send it. You’re asking people to remember you and to look out for opportunities for you. It’s incredibly important to put your best foot forward and make the best impression possible.
Once you’ve written your letter, read over it to ensure it makes sense. Check for flow and make sure you’ve included everything. Then read through again to check your grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Even better, get someone else to read it through too, just to be sure.
5) Don’t get disheartened if you don’t hear back
You won’t hear from everyone you send a letter to, but getting a job is a numbers game. The more companies you contact, the more chance you have of landing the perfect job for you.
It is disappointing when you don’t get a reply, but don’t give up. While it’s not wise to overdo it, you can contact your dream company again in a few months’ time.
Just keep persisting and, eventually, you will land a great job.
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge
Quick tips for writing your email or letter:
- Include a good reason why you want to work for this company.
- Include equally good reasons why you would be a great fit for them.
- Be polite, but don’t bow and scrape.
- Keep it short. You don’t need an essay for this. Just stick to the point.
- If you know someone at the company, mention it. It might help.
- Include your resume.
- Include your contact details. It’s amazing how many people forget to do this.
- Follow up! Send a short follow-up letter or email a couple of weeks later, if you haven’t heard anything.
- Keep checking the company website for new vacancies. You can then apply to anything suitable and reference your previous letter when you do.
How to ask someone to keep you in mind for a job sample email
Here are some sample “keep me in mind for future opportunities” emails. You can copy and paste this, but it’s essential to make it your own. You should also change it enough and tailor it for each company so that it doesn’t look like you’ve copied and pasted:
Example 1:
Dear Name
My name is Jill Smith. I’m a qualified marketing professional with over ten years of experience in a marketing manager role for BigMoney Bank.
I attended your presentation on marketing for financial services businesses on Monday and I was very impressed with your firm. In particular, I enjoyed the points you made about X and Y.
I’m currently looking to move into working with a financial consultancy firm as a marketing manager and wonder if you have any openings that might suit my skills and experience.
I’ve attached a copy of my resume and would be delighted to hear from you.
Please let me know if any opportunities arise in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Your Name
Telephone Number
Email Address
Example 2:
Let’s say you’ve been passed over for a job. Nonetheless, you want to write a thank-you email to the recruiter to thank them for their time and to ask them to consider you for future opportunities. How do you politely say “please consider me for future opportunities”? The below email example is perfect for this:
Subject: Appreciation for Interview Opportunity
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I am writing to express my gratitude for the opportunity to interview with your esteemed organization. Despite not being selected this time, the process provided valuable insights.
While I was eagerly hoping to join your team, I understand that you selected the candidate that best fits the current needs.
As previously mentioned, I’m truly interested in contributing to your company and believe my skills and experience could be a significant asset in a variety of roles. Therefore, please consider me for future opportunities.
I look forward to potentially collaborating in the future.
Warm Regards,
[Your Name]
Take the time to write a follow-up letter after an interview or write to companies you’d like to work for. And don’t forget to use the phrase, “please keep me in mind for future opportunities.” You might just get an opportunity you would have missed out on.
“All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
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