Dear Experts,
I have sent in a resume for a job that I really want and followed up with an e-mail to verify the man hiring has received it but still no word. What would the appropriate next step be?
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Here is how our T.A.P. experts answered this question:
Q#321 If U know the person received it, but they haven’t responded, do U really want 2 work 4 that kinda place? (@beneubanks)
Q#321 Patience. Wait 1 week & follow up again. Hiring you is not his 1st priority, but it’s your main thought! (@jtodonnell)
Q#321 Call & ask 4 person. Lv voice mail. KEY: Can u find some1 who knows hirer 2 say “look at this person”? (@juliaerickson)
Q#321 Be Persistent; remember “3P’s of Cold-Calling” & follow these “DOs & DONTs:” http://tinyurl.com/ygstb7k. (@RTResumePro)
Q#321 Phone call would be an excellent next step if you have the number. If not, one more email is fine, but no more. (@gradversity)
Q#321 Follow up is a fine art. You must straddle the thin line between being tenaciou http://bit.ly/s2hQw. (@marysevinsky)
Q#321 Do you know for sure it’s still open? Some postings are fake. Reasons for not hearing back often unrelated to you. (@careerbranches)
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6 Comments
I would like to reiterate how important follow up on sent resumes are. Most people just don't do that. If you can't find a contact name, call the company and ask the receptionist for the name of the person. She may say that she can not ask then to be transferred to the HR managers voicemail. The recording will tell you the name. Don't leave a message. Instead, call back some time later and ask to speak to the person but don't mention the job or the job posting. Just a little trick.
I would like to reiterate how important follow up on sent resumes are. Most people just don't do that. If you can't find a contact name, call the company and ask the receptionist for the name of the person. She may say that she can not ask then to be transferred to the HR managers voicemail. The recording will tell you the name. Don't leave a message. Instead, call back some time later and ask to speak to the person but don't mention the job or the job posting. Just a little trick.
I would like to reiterate how important follow up on sent resumes are. Most people just don't do that. If you can't find a contact name, call the company and ask the receptionist for the name of the person. She may say that she can not ask then to be transferred to the HR managers voicemail. The recording will tell you the name. Don't leave a message. Instead, call back some time later and ask to speak to the person but don't mention the job or the job posting. Just a little trick.
Excellent advice and right on target.
You must be PERSISTENT and continue to follow up; and remember to be PATIENT and POLITE at all times. I call this the “3-P's of Cold-Calling” which also pertain to resume follow up calls.
Resume follow up calls.
I have listed some helpful “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to keep in mind when you call to follow-up on your resume:
1. Always have the name of the administrator – the “gate keeper” – to the decision-maker before you call. Use his/her name when during your brief conversation. People like being recognized; it puts a smile on their face.
2. Do research to see if you know someone who knows someone who knows someone… and have a name [referral] when you call.
3. Don’t volunteer that you are following up on your resume. You are likely to trigger an auto response such as “we haven’t finished reviewing…” or “we are still receiving resumes…” etc. Say “Mr./Ms [Referral] suggested that I call and speak with [Decision-maker].”
4. Don’t leave a message on voice mail and you will be able call back much sooner than if you do. If you do, its voice mail jail for you, and do not pass GO for at least a week.
5. If the administrator/gatekeeper asks “would you like to leave a message?” Respond with “does h/she have voicemail?” Once in voice mail you can hang up, and again, you will be free to call back sooner than later.
6. If there is no voicemail, respond with, “That's fine, I can call back another time” and do ask, “Can you recommend a best to reach [Decision-maker]?”
7. If administrator/gatekeeper doesn’t suggest a time, you can always ask, “If you were me and needed to speak with [Decision-maker] what would you do?” People like to be put in a position to give advice, be asked for their guidance. It is uplifting when others ask for your mentorship.
Lastly, I suggest you put a placard on the wall in front of you with the “3-P’s of Cold-Calling”: Patience … Politeness … Persistence.
The “3-P’s” are not just for Cold-Calls. They are useful with all calls in which there are likely a gatekeeper between you and the decision-maker. To help further, place the placard shoulder height to remind you to stand when you call. Just as a chorale group stands when they sing, you should stand when you speak. You will sound so much better during your call.
There is no one sure-all method to get you to the decision-maker during this kind of call, but give these “Do’s” and “Don’ts” I try. They work for me!
Hope this helps!
YT,
Rob Taub of RésuméPro PLUS and the
Job Search Corner: “Job Searching with Rob” http://bit.ly/18wCkO
You must be PERSISTENT and continue to follow up; and remember to be PATIENT and POLITE at all times. I call this the “3-P's of Cold-Calling” which also pertain to resume follow up calls.
Resume follow up calls.
I have listed some helpful “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to keep in mind when you call to follow-up on your resume:
1. Always have the name of the administrator – the “gate keeper” – to the decision-maker before you call. Use his/her name when during your brief conversation. People like being recognized; it puts a smile on their face.
2. Do research to see if you know someone who knows someone who knows someone… and have a name [referral] when you call.
3. Don’t volunteer that you are following up on your resume. You are likely to trigger an auto response such as “we haven’t finished reviewing…” or “we are still receiving resumes…” etc. Say “Mr./Ms [Referral] suggested that I call and speak with [Decision-maker].”
4. Don’t leave a message on voice mail and you will be able call back much sooner than if you do. If you do, its voice mail jail for you, and do not pass GO for at least a week.
5. If the administrator/gatekeeper asks “would you like to leave a message?” Respond with “does h/she have voicemail?” Once in voice mail you can hang up, and again, you will be free to call back sooner than later.
6. If there is no voicemail, respond with, “That's fine, I can call back another time” and do ask, “Can you recommend a best to reach [Decision-maker]?”
7. If administrator/gatekeeper doesn’t suggest a time, you can always ask, “If you were me and needed to speak with [Decision-maker] what would you do?” People like to be put in a position to give advice, be asked for their guidance. It is uplifting when others ask for your mentorship.
Lastly, I suggest you put a placard on the wall in front of you with the “3-P’s of Cold-Calling”: Patience … Politeness … Persistence.
The “3-P’s” are not just for Cold-Calls. They are useful with all calls in which there are likely a gatekeeper between you and the decision-maker. To help further, place the placard shoulder height to remind you to stand when you call. Just as a chorale group stands when they sing, you should stand when you speak. You will sound so much better during your call.
There is no one sure-all method to get you to the decision-maker during this kind of call, but give these “Do’s” and “Don’ts” I try. They work for me!
Hope this helps!
YT,
Rob Taub of RésuméPro PLUS and the
Job Search Corner: “Job Searching with Rob” http://bit.ly/18wCkO