Job Searchers: Stop Waiting For The Call

Are you frustrated with waiting for that call?

- The call back from the recruiter who has sent your resume/CV to a client

- The call back from the contact who is discussing your details with some of their colleagues

- The call back from the potential employer that’s trying to find a budget to take you on as a contractor

Well stop waiting

Waiting around for people to call you is one of the most frustrating parts of  job searching. And usually makes you feel as if you have little or no control of what’s happening to you.

Well here’s a suggestion: stop waiting and take control.

Always keep control

Where possible don’t ever ever give people the opportunity to ‘call you back.’

Instead, make sure its YOU that keeps control by ensuring it’s YOU that is doing the calling back. And ideally, agreeing to call back at a pre-agreed time and date.

“You can’t do that…(can you?)”

Yes you can. But only if you ask.

In my experience, most people don’t even try to keep control of the conversation. When a recruiter or contact says “I’ll call you back” most people roll over and meekly say “..Ok thank you” fully expecting a call back that, often, doesn’t materialise.

What you should be doing in these situations is seizing control by politely suggesting that you’ll make the follow up call (after all you’re the one job searching and their likely to be incredibly busy). Once they’ve agreed, find a time and date to make the follow up call. Invariably you will hit their voicemail when you call back - but at least you now have control. You can leave a voicemail and say you’ll call back - instead of asking them to call you.

You won’t always get control, but you must always attempt to get it

I accept that not everyone you speak to will agree to this and some will want to keep control and call you back when they are ready to do so.  But you must always attempt to keep control by asking the question. And you’ll often find you need to make several attempted follow ups to get an answer. But that’s ok. It’s part of the course. But at least this way you have some control.

Asking the question and keeping control helps you separate you from the crowd. It quickens up your job search and helps you feel like you have some control over your destiny, rather than just being another number. Another person that get’s lost on a database or in a backlog of unanswered voicemails...

By Sital Ruparelia from 6 Figure Career Management

Comments

[Sarah]

I totally agree with this! Always be the one to call them back!

[Rodney Cooley]

I don't know if this varies by industry, but I have found a lot of employers in my field who don't want candidates to call. Especially with companies that are smaller or who are short-staffed for various reasons, they seem to want to have control of the time line.

[Swaminathan Santhalam]

Very nice points you have

[Sital]

thanks for the comments

Rodney it will vary from industry and company - and yes, many people will want to keep control. But much of this is to do with the way they've always worked.

If you at least attempt to keep control it often works with people you think it wouldn't:

"I know you're really busy and inundated with applicants at the moment. So why don't I call you in a few days time instead - when would be a good time for us to speak again...?"

Try it...

[Ernie Perez]

Great concept. If you don't take control or at least find a control happy medium, you tend to fall into the "victim" trap. --> you are negatively impacted by what "they" did or did not do.....

[Paul Copcutt]

Great point Sital. In this job market the proactive candidate is going to win every time. If they insist that they will call you back ask one more question - "And if I do not hear back from you in the next 2 weeks will it be okay to follow up?" Just my toonies worth.

[Sital]

Paul - agreed. In a tough market small details make the difference. Being assertive enough to ask that further question is key

[Barbara]

Apologies for my late response. Agree w/your suggestions on taking control to mitigate your frustration. However, in my "past" life as an Executive Recruiter (when employed!)-- I ALWAYS advised a candidate of their status after a phone or F2F interview. Depending upon your industry, I believe all candidates are potential clients.

[Trish]

Great advice! You're right: YOU need to be in control, and you shouldn't feel bad if you don't get called back. It's their loss :)

[Generic Viagra]

great post, keep the excellent work in here. You have a wonderful blog!
debra

[buy generic viagra]

In my experience, most people don’t even try to keep control of the conversation. When a recruiter or contact says “I’ll call you back” most people roll over and meekly say “..Ok thank you” fully expecting a call back that, often, doesn’t materialise.

[irregular menstruation]

In my experience, most people don’t even try to keep control of the conversatio

[levitra online]

Where possible don’t ever ever give people the opportunity to ‘call you back.’

[caverta online]

And usually makes you feel as if you have little or no control of what’s happening to you.

[online viagra]

I like this article
I love to read few more
articles from you.
thanks a lot.

.....Alex

[buy cialis generic]

Thanks for this post. The timing could not have been more perfect.

[Canada Goose]

Prefer Canada Goose Jackets in Canada Goose Jacket online store, more experience for winter life ! With winter coming, the Goose Down Jacket Canada and Women Canada Goose Chiliwack Parka BLACK with authentic quality will be the best choice for you.
Winter coming, everyone is starting to shop around for a warm winter coat. But the big question is: which one will keep you the warmest without making you look like an abominable snowman? Today´s article highlights for you two coats that meet these important criteria: Canada Goose Men's Yorkville Bomber and Canada Goose Outlet Trillium by Canadian Goose.
From Canada Goose Sale, Canada Goose Parka inspired by the label´s iconic Canada Goose Women Expedition design. It´s fitted with plenty of internal and external pockets as well as a versatile removable down filled hood, secure Velcro collar and storm flap protection over the front zipper. The cut is a bit slimmer than we´re used to seeing on vests and outerwear pieces alike, which definitely works in your favor when traveling from work to play and vice versa.

[Cat Boots]

CAT Footwear is the world's leading footwear companies in the rankings. They are an experienced, when it comes to make Cat Shoes and Cat Boots, they are proud of the Caterpillar brand owners and their mission is to provide the market with the latest developments in the shoe department of a comfortable, durable shoes. Their area of expertise in their shoes, Caterpillar Boots with special features is just to make sure every footwear will be comfortable to wear as the first priority. Some models have steel toes, and some do not, they have given, to some extent, the inner surface can easily be removed, put back some of the special archs orthopedic support, not slippery. Surprising to know that these features bootshave to prevent electric shock, and thermal insulation of the action.

There are Ladies Caterpillar Boots, while other prominent women's shoes, Caterpillar will be moving within the raised floor, allowed the wearer to replace the floor the other Mens Cat Boots. Orthotics are custom. These boots will provide comfort and protection, women were not the case. Whether you want to put your shoes when working or when you are climbing, this is the best choice, you can. Women's Caterpillar Shoes in different designs, and provide price will vary depending on your choice. ...