I realize that often in life you have to move on when things don't go your way. But in a job hunt, it's difficult to move on and forget the job you've applied for with all your heart when you don't know what's happening with it.
For example, in the past few weeks I've had an interview and have sent my resume and other info to a few jobs that I thought I was well qualified for. I don't want to seem like a pest or desperate, but part of me wants to call the employers to try to find out what they think of my application and if the interview process can continue so I can get the job. In this rough job market, I want to go above and beyond other job candidates and stand out from a crowd. If it takes writing a sample press release or whatever, I'm up for it. But again, I don't want to seem pushy. I just want a job -- a fulltime job that I'll enjoy.
I know some companies go slow in their hiring. I had an interview two weeks ago at a public agency and while I made the initial cut, I'm waiting for the executive director to hopefully call me back for another interview. I'll give him a call soon, and hope to prove to him that I can do the job and am eager to start working. I've also applied for a few jobs that I think I'd be perfect for -- writing jobs and such -- and I'm trying to contact them to appeal for them to look at my resume and get moving forward on hiring me.
But the question remains: How soon is too soon to call and at what point are you a pain in the neck for asking how to get yourself to the front of the line?
For example, in the past few weeks I've had an interview and have sent my resume and other info to a few jobs that I thought I was well qualified for. I don't want to seem like a pest or desperate, but part of me wants to call the employers to try to find out what they think of my application and if the interview process can continue so I can get the job. In this rough job market, I want to go above and beyond other job candidates and stand out from a crowd. If it takes writing a sample press release or whatever, I'm up for it. But again, I don't want to seem pushy. I just want a job -- a fulltime job that I'll enjoy.
I know some companies go slow in their hiring. I had an interview two weeks ago at a public agency and while I made the initial cut, I'm waiting for the executive director to hopefully call me back for another interview. I'll give him a call soon, and hope to prove to him that I can do the job and am eager to start working. I've also applied for a few jobs that I think I'd be perfect for -- writing jobs and such -- and I'm trying to contact them to appeal for them to look at my resume and get moving forward on hiring me.
But the question remains: How soon is too soon to call and at what point are you a pain in the neck for asking how to get yourself to the front of the line?
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4 comments:
Ah, the blog entry I am writing for tonight just got more interesting after reading your blog entry about 'return calls.' And the answer to your question--according to the business teacher at the school where I was employed--was a week to ten days for corporate, five to seven days for small businesses, and just sit on your thumbs for state or federal apps to be processed. Deep sigh. I suppose the formula, if there is one, would be fewer days to wait for smaller businesses.
And I know--more or less--how you feel. The knowledge that I was one of two candidates considered (out of the many who applied) for a very nice job didn't make me feel any better when I got the letter saying that the director had chosen someone else.
Blessings to you, fella.
npd
Best approach I think is if you had a contact inside the company you applied for and follow up with the contact. Otherwise, it all depends on the mood of the hiring individual when you try to call in and find out about the status of your interest.
Aaron - I'm also unemployed and completely sympathize with you. I would advocate similar to what npd said. Honestly, no matter what - call, at some point. Don't call everyday, but so what if you get "annoying." I do not know a whole lot of people that would consider someone who follows up on a job application "annoying." Plus - you have nothing to lose. My motto right now is "I need help, and I'm not going to stop until I find it."
Hi Aaron,
I worked in business development for many years, and its the same thing in accruing new business from a prospect as getting a yes on a job. There is no such thing as "Well I was going to hire so and so, but they had the audacity to call me within a week when clearly I said I would make a decision in two weeks" It doesn't exist. The worst they can say is no. Prospects want to be closed and employers want to be closed by interviewees, if an interviewee didn't attempt to close me when I hired, this was viewed as a negative. Mind you, in business development this is more necessary than journalism. I do know this, prospects respect and appreciate polite persistence. Think of how that will translate when you go to work for them. At the end of the day, luck favors the bold.
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