HEARING BACK FROM A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER

So many times in this networking group I hear the complaint that employers never call me back after an interview. I imagine that this is the most heard complaint I have had over the five years we have ran Christian Career Circle. I would like to share some thoughts on the subject and hope to get comments from group members.

FACT: It is an employers market and no doubt the rules have changed with the change in the employment picture in the United States. With downsizing, the shipping of jobs overseas, the demise of thecoms and the state of flux in the high tech industry, it is no secret that employers do not conform to what we would call "workplace etiquette".

Employers justify their non-action in not notifying job candidates that they are too busy to respond to anyone except those we are really interested in. I believe that you will see no change in the treatment given most job seekers. So what can I do? Following are some ideas that we have tried in this group over the years that have been effective in some instances.

1. At the end of the interview ask when you might expect to hear back from the interviewer. OR

2. Ask, could I call back in a few days, week or whatever time span you suggest to see if you have made a decision (many interviewers expect that call as it shows you are truly interested in the job. You might get your application moved up in the stack if you make that call.

3. Ask if you have further questions you think of after you leave can you call back to get them answered? OR

4. Write a follow up thank you note (handwritten preferably) indicating you will call in a few days to see if the employer has made a decision. And make that call. OR

5. Call back and indicate to the employer/decision-maker/HR manager that you have not heard back from them and wonder if there are any other questions they might have that you could answer. OR

6. E-mail or leave a phone message to the employer stating that you have not heard back and would appreciate hearing from him/her what your status is. OR

7. If you have a contact in the company you have applied to working on your behalf, you might see if that person could mention that they bumped into you and that you said you were very interested in the position but were waiting to hear back from them. (Perhaps this person could put in a good word for you if it is appropriate.) OR

8. If you established an excellent rapport with the gatekeeper you might call that person and ask what the job status is and/or when will a decision be made. OR

9. In a bold move you could leave a message indicating you enjoyed meeting with the employer and felt your skills were a match for the job and that you would like to know your status by Tuesday(or a given day) and that should you not hear you will close your file on the job opening and wish them well in hiring a candidate.

10. In relation to #9, you could indicate that you felt your skills could be valuable to the company and wonder if he/she felt them to be a better fit for another job in the firm.

BE AWARE *Maybe the co. has a hiring freeze on and that is what is holding things up.

*Perhaps they are changing the requirements and are in a holding pattern.

*There may be other reasons unknown to you and that you will never know.

*There may be other job openings in the firm that they are considering

you for.

OTHER STEPS THAT YOU CAN TAKE INCLUDE:

Bob Raikes, NCCC

Coordinator of SHM Christian Career Circle