Whew! You’ve just finished another interview, and you’re hoping to hear back soon. You constantly check your email and phone, but nothing comes through. As the days go by and you don’t hear anything, you wonder what your status is. You contact the company. If you’re lucky, you hear back right away. If not, you’re just left wondering. So what can you do when you aren’t hearing back from prospective employers?
Is No News Bad News?
Just because you haven’t heard from your prospective employer doesn’t mean all hope is lost. There could be many reasons for radio silence — maybe they’re still interviewing, or maybe the hiring manager is on vacation. Especially now, in the midst of COVID-19, it can be easy for employers to get caught up in issues that prevent them from responding to candidates as quickly as they would like to. So if you haven’t heard anything, don’t automatically assume the worst.
Keep Your Options Open
Even if you’re applying for your dream job, don’t pin all your hopes on that one opportunity. That can be hard, especially when you’ve interviewed in person, met with the team, and come away with a feel for how it would look if you worked at the company. It’s still important to keep your options open. Continue to look for, and apply to, jobs you’re interested in. This will help shift your focus from the employer who’s not responding, and you may find another job opportunity that’s a better fit for you.
Find A Connection
How many people do you know who got their job through a referral, a friend, or someone who put in a good word for them? Most likely a lot. Scroll through your colleagues, friends, family members, and other contacts to see if anyone you know works at your target company. Companies are often inundated with applications for open positions, so don’t get lost in the shuffle. If you can find an inside contact, ask if they would be willing to put in a good word for you. Their note will most likely ensure that your application at least gets reviewed. They may also be able to get you an update on the status of your application or where you stand in the interview process.
Provide Updates
Hiring managers were busy people before COVID-19. Now that the pandemic has thrown a wrench into the standard hiring process, decision makers are being pulled in many different directions. If things change regarding your candidacy, let the hiring manager know. Especially if you have been offered another position. It doesn’t hurt to remind the prospective employer that you’re still out there, but that you also have other options.
Know When to Move On
Recognize that you may reluctantly reach the point where you just need to move on. If weeks have gone by and you haven’t heard anything, or you’ve made multiple attempts to contact the hiring manger without success, it’s time. Most hiring managers are able to at least stay in touch with candidates they’re interested in. If that’s not the case, don’t become a nuisance. Bowing out graciously allows you to apply for other positions in the company. It’s not unusual for applicants to apply for three or four positions at a company before they get hired.
While many prospective employers are conscientious about following up with applicants, it’s possible that you won’t hear back in a timely fashion, or at all, as COVID-19 is compelling companies to adapt and change procedures. When you don’t hear back from a prospective employer in a reasonable time, don’t despair. Stay positive and continue to keep your options open. The right job opportunity will come along, and when it does, you’ll be sure to hear back!
On Topic
Jennifer Wolf, MPH, Ojibwe, Ponca, Santee, is owner of Project Mosaic, an Indigenous consulting firm that works with tribes and Native American organizations throughout Indian Country. Project Mosaic led the AISES Board of Directors through the strategic planning process and has been a presenter and co-emcee at AISES National Conferences.
What is a reasonable timeframe for prospective employers to respond to candidates?
There have been times when I didn’t hear any response from a resume or any of my follow-up communications for six months or more. However, you should ask yourself, do you really want to work for an employer who is too busy to notice your hard work? Sometimes, it’s about timing, but they should still let you know they will keep your application on file. When you do have an interview, send a thank you note that same day. I would expect a response within a week. After a week, send an email to follow up. After two weeks, call.
What are three ways to effectively follow up with a prospective employer?
If you know someone in the organization, don’t hesitate to ask them to put in a good word. You might also ask them about how they like working for the employer. If it’s a small organization, you can really get their attention through social media. Reposting or retweeting some of their resources is one way to stay on their radar. Remember to tag them. Editorialize and talk about the value of the information you are sharing to convey that you understand the practical applications.
Let the employer know you are coming to them with a solutions-oriented attitude. In one situation, I outlined some challenges I could help them tackle, if I were hired. Although I wasn’t brought on for the job, I was hired as a consultant to do what I had proposed. It was a better fit for everyone involved, and in the end, the organization is now on my resume as a key client.
Is it possible to follow up too much?
It depends on the job. If it’s a job where you’re expected to advocate, be a liaison, or have any sort of sales role, you will stand out if you are tactfully persistent. However, you don’t want your potential boss to think you are a pest. For many Native people, one of our cultural values is humility. It’s actually difficult to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, brag about ourselves, or do anything that is perceived as pushy. If you are applying to a non-Native organization, if it feels a little uncomfortable, it’s probably just right. The interview is not the time to be shy — you are there to advocate for yourself, and to see if the company is a good fit for you.
Is it acceptable to ask a hiring manager what’s missing from your resume?
When it comes to applying for a job, direct communication is best. You have a limited amount of time to stand out during an interview, so just ask! At the end of the interview, I ask the interviewer if any of my responses were unclear or if any of my answers were scored lower because of inexperience in a certain area. Then I ask them if they agree that training someone the first time allows the employer to set the standard in how the work is carried out. It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but it’s even harder to train a dog to do tricks a different way. Tell them you’re the fresh dog. Or find another analogy where you’re not a dog, but make the same point.
How have online application systems changed the job hunt?
Automated screening systems make it more critical that you utilize the same key words and phrases that appear in the job announcement. This makes more work than if you just sent the same resume for every job. You should capture some of their verbiage in their required skills, qualifications, and knowledge. Also, be sure those exact words appear in your resume and cover letter as well.
What’s an effective strategy for following up on general online applications?
Follow up before the deadline to confirm the application was received. Follow up again after the deadline to ask if they need more information like additional references or writing samples.
