Hurried job seekers often get frustrated with slow-moving employers. You work hard to impress them with your picture-perfect resume, seamless responses to interview questions and a persuasive follow-up letter.
And then you wait. A week passes. A month. You find yourself pacing, checking your e-mail too many times. The slow-as-mud timeline makes you crazy, but you already sent a follow-up note, so there is nothing you can do. Or is there?
This is a tricky issue for job seekers, because of the tremendous energy and attention that you apply to your search, and the care that you take in cultivating relationships with promising employers. Perhaps you feel like the ideal candidate for a specific job, or you simply don’t want to give up the hunt with a particular company. It doesn’t matter, because nagging is not an option. It’s unprofessional.
But you can do something. In many cases, you have one chance to nudge an employer back into the conversation.
Before you whip out your cell phone and start punching in numbers, take a moment to define your objectives, come up with a strategy, and consider the potential consequences of your actions.
Most likely, your goal is to restore communication with the sluggish employer, and prompt a hiring decision to be made in your favor. The results of your efforts may be positive (drawing attention to your skills) or negative (seeming overly anxious). To achieve the best outcome, plan your tactics wisely.
When reaching out to businesses, you may say something like this: “I don’t mean to rush your hiring process, but I wanted to let you know that I received a solid job offer from another organization. Despite that news, I still find myself feeling excited by the prospect of joining your team. Where do you stand in filling this open position?”
Measure the response, and use it to make a sound decision for your career.
Even if you haven’t received a job offer, you can still contact employers one more time. Use the employer’s own words in your phone call, if possible, like this: “During our meeting, you talked about your urgency in bringing a new marketing manager onboard. I am genuinely interested in this role, and am confident that I will drive up revenue for your team. What is your timetable for filling this position?”
If the conversation goes well, cautiously take your inquiry a bit further, like this: “I’m certain that I’ll be a great addition to your staff, but I’m wondering how I look from your point of view. Where do I stand with regard to this role?” You might receive a straightforward answer, or you might not. Either way, the response will be helpful as you navigate your job search in the future.
Speaking of the future, there is a lesson here that shouldn’t be ignored. If you really need (or want) a new job, never limit yourself to a single company. Broaden your quest. Continue to meet people, improve your resume, contact businesses and send well-written follow-up letters through the mail.
Don’t allow yourself to stop job hunting until eight o’clock in the morning on your first day of work. Even then, keep your eyes open for new opportunities, just in case.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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