Do You Expect a Call From a Recruiter?
photo by fakelvis
So here’s the question for you as a job seeker: do you expect a recruiter to call you when you apply online, send your resume, or when you leave a voicemail? If someone other than you fills a position that you applied for, do you expect a nice decline letter or maybe a phone call?
I think that you deserve some kind of communication from the company in all these situations. You may not really want this communication. There will probably not be anything of value to this communication, but if you’re qualified for the jobs that you apply to, I think that it’s fair to expect something.
Reasons that recruiters and companies don’t communicate with candidates:
• The candidate is not qualified and was declined in the initial review of the resume.
• Some candidates are psycho and take it personally when they receive a decline letter. Most of these people apply to jobs that they aren’t qualified for and then go ballistic when they don’t get them, possibly resulting in a restraining order—more on this later.
• Recruiters are sometimes lazy and or don’t have time to decline everyone properly. It’s hard when you get 500+ applicants a day.
• The biggest reason they don’t communicate with people is to avoid the sticky situation of being asked why they weren’t selected for the role. If the recruiter says the wrong thing there, it’s really bad. Sometimes it’s safer to just not say anything.
Reasons that recruiters and companies do communicate with candidates:
• You are an amazing candidate and you presented yourself very well and the recruiter doesn’t want to damage future opportunities even though you didn’t get the job.
• There is a growing viewpoint that candidates have a “bill of rights” that says that you deserve a response to all communication—honestly, though, this is not cost effective for most organizations.
• They want to network, network, network! You may not be what they’re looking for, but you may know someone who is what they’re looking for.
Reasons that you don’t want to hear back from me:
• You didn’t get the job. Do you really want to deal with that for the 500th time, or do you want to focus on the positive and keep working at the behaviors that will get you a job? If you were one of my top three candidates, I would have called you back. Move on, and if I do call you next week it will be a pleasant surprise.
• If you get emotionally charged and or have anger issues, you don’t want to hear me tell you that we have filled the position. If you’re this kind of person, you will probably get upset and mess up a good networking opportunity. It’s probably a win-win if we don’t have to have that conversation.
Reasons you do want to hear from me.
• Network, network, network! Connect with everyone you can and build a network of people who know of you. You will find that jobs aren’t that hard to come by if you have the right connections. I’m always willing to network with people!
• You didn’t get the job, but I have another opening that is even better!
• You got the JOB!!!!
So here’s the deal when you contact a recruiter. You must keep your cool at all times. If you can’t deal with rejection, don’t call me about a job or advice on how to get a job! You’d be better off spending your time networking. If you apply for jobs, you will get some kind of rejection. Look yourself in the mirror and repeat, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it people like me!” five times for every rejection and eventually you’ll believe it, then you’ll get a job.
Give me a couple of days to return your call or email. I generally get back to people in 24 hours but sometimes I don’t have any new information for them and I am waiting on hiring managers to return my calls. Give things time to marinade. Don’t call more than once every three to four days, but if you’re serious and QUALIFIED then keep calling every three to four days. Never show frustration if you leave a voice mail. Just be cool, like you’re calling a long lost friend.
“Hey Phil,
This is John Smith.
It’s been a few days since we’ve talked about your open XYZ job. I’m the guy from Texas with kids the same age as yours. I know that it’s really busy for you right now, but I’m very motivated and would be honored to work for your company. Give me a ring when you get a chance or have an update.
Thanks for all that you do, you can reach me at 777-777-7777, again it’s John Smith at 777-777-7777.”
The next time you call, mention something that you saw in the news about the company. The time after that, mention how a new philosophy in your specialty can make a difference from the company. But every time, keep it positive, thank the recruiter, and say your phone number twice.
This is called drip marketing and it works over time.
So keep moving forward with reasonable expectations. Executed disciplined positive behaviors and go get your dream job!
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Great Advice! This is a very informative blog. I also liked your resume website. My husband wants you to write his resume. We are very impressed with your professional expertise.
Thanks Heather! Sometimes its overwhelming to be in the middle of a job hunt and there’s so much random advice out there. I’m trying to help people out by presenting some sound advice with the why we do it this way along with the how to do it.
I’d love to connect with you and your husband! Shoot me an email phil [at] philnorth.com or send a message through theresumeadvisors.com contact form.