Job search Series part V

Good morning/Afternoon Lionhearts,

It’s been a crazy week last week and I am so glad it is over. There are some weeks were you just need a break and cannot take it anymore, but guess what? The moment you feel obligated is the time when you have to realize that you love what you do and you are in the right place. If your responsibilities, however, are suffocating you, they are burdens, and no longer responsibilities. This is the time when you need to think again of what you do and find a way out.

So, today I will write up a post on what you do after you submit a resume. I know too many of us apply to multiple positions at a time. Too many position that we do not remember what positions we applied for was first, especially when we are desperate to find work. If you could avoid that, that’s great. If not, I will give you few tips to remember.

The reason why it is important to remember which job post you applied for is how professional you sound when you get that phone call to be considered for an interview. Here is a scenario that happened few weeks ago while I was contacting some of the applicants I wanted to recruit for an admin position. I can’t use real names, so will use the name Sally for that applicant.

Me: Good afternoon, may I please speak with Sally please?

Applicant: Speaking

Me: Hi Sally, My name is Shahd and I am calling you on behalf (My company name), how are you?

Applicant: Ok….

Me: The reason why I am calling is because I received your resume for the job post we have online for an admin position, does that sound familiar?

Applicant: umm, (Laughter) may be….

Me: Okay, looks like you applied to that position, are you currently looking for work?

Applicant: Yes, I honestly put my resume out for multiple positions.

Now, as a recruiter in a staffing agency, who people often refer to me as a middle man, I make the connection between the candidate and the company looking to fill a position. Conversations like this, may or may not affect me depending on my personality. Some recruiters do not really care. They would still consider this candidate. Some would think twice. Why?

There is nothing wrong with applying to multiple positions. You typically do not want to miss an opportunity posted. So, if two or three are out there, you would apply to everything. Hoping that one would hit. When you sound like you do not remember, a recruiter or the potential employer may think you do not value their organization. You are applying for a job that pays your bills. Which is true. It is in fact the case with the majority of jobs out there. It is however, not what some employers want to hear. They want to know if you really want to be part of their team. They want to know if you are excited that they contacted you. They will then create a perception about you being a dedicated person to their organization. Yes! It is that one phone call that changes a lot.

If you received such a phone call and you cannot remember the name of the company. You really don’t have to remember if you can’t. I will rephrase what Sally said and you can see where she could trick me.

Me: Hi Sally, my name is Shahd and I am calling you on behalf (My company name), how are you?

Applicant: I am sorry, I have trouble hearing you, can you repeat that again please?

Me: Oh I am sorry, my name is Shahd and I am calling you on behalf (My company name), how are you?

Applicant: Oh hello, thanks for calling, how can I help you?

You see the bold lines? Ask your caller to repeat where they are calling from for two reasons. First, when they repeat, chances are good you would remember the name of the company where you applied. Second, while they repeat, grab a piece of paper and write down the caller name and company name. finish the conversation. Go back to your computer and look them up. This way you would remember when you applied and what you applied for.

To avoid issues like this, I have few tips that can save you the trouble. Once you start looking for work, on a small page on your note book, or on your phone note bad, write down the title of the position, the date of your application, and the name of the company you are applying for. This will help you in multiple ways. It will help you remember and track your application. When you review that list you would know how long it’s been since you applied to certain positions. Sometimes, if you don’t hear back from an employer within one month, it is likely that the position is no longer available. Such list will also help you decide, whether you want to follow up with some of the positions or just try with other openings.

Following up on an application is extremely important. As a recruiter, I have to honestly tell you, I am sometimes too busy that I forget to contact people back. I would call them back when they are selected, but seldom time when positions are no longer available. Which is wrong I admit, but I am working on this piece I promise.

So, say you have a recruiter like me who may not call you back. Give a deadline before you call. If you apply via email and you know the contact details of the recruiter, give them a call after 3 days if you did not hear back. See if it is still open. In some occasions, we lose some applications. Technology can disappoint us too. An email or two can be lost or never delivered. In situations like this, calling is a savior. The recruiter will then consider you for the position right after you call in. calling to follow up is also necessary to give your potential employer an impression that you are serious about the job. Do not call every day. Nothing much can happen in 24 hours. Give them few days to review applications.

This post is already two pages and I did not write half of the things want to share with you. But, I will leave the rest for another post, hoping this was informative enough. I will meet you again with some more information on post-resume submission. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Passing love from North Eastern Pennsylvania to wherever you are.