Posted under Technology on February 1st, 2008
I just hung up from talking with an area recruiter and wanted to pass on some inside information that confirms what I have advised candidates for years. I love when that happens! This particular recruiter works at the largest employer in my county, and she receives over 100 applications a day. I called to ask about a particular candidate I was working with and she stated that unless someone follows-up regarding a particular application, there is a good chance it will never see the light of day.
Did all you job seekers catch that? You must follow-up on internet job applications whenever possible. Granted, this is an unscientific survey of one employer, however; where there is one, there will be others. Take charge of your own job search. Why rely on on the kindness of strangers?
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Scot Herrick on 04 Feb 2008 at 3:36 pm #
And when you apply online and get the automated response thanking you for your resume that tells you not to reply because the e-mail address is not monitored…how exactly do you follow up?
In the United States, it is pretty rare to see a person’s name as a recruiter on the job posting, precisely because that person would get 100 calls a day from candidates following up on their application.
While I think it is good to follow-up where possible, I honestly don’t think I should be required to follow-up on every application — it’s the recruiter’s responsibility to see something (or not) in the application and provide some answer. The total lack of response to an application (see automated e-mails, above…) by companies is pretty inconsiderate at best.
Once there is an answer back from a recruiter, it makes perfect sense to follow-up depending upon the next steps. I just don’t think one is given the ability to follow-up on online applications, much less try and implement them.
Syd Barlow on 04 Feb 2008 at 9:28 pm #
Excellent point on applications! Follow-through on your application, if done in a reasonable time, with courtesy, and clarity, will increase your chances of being seen by recruiters and hiring managers. Recruiters are often very focused on their hottest jobs and don’t always have your name at the top of their heads. Gentle, focused and diligent follow-up with the recruiter can at least keep your relationship with the recruiter fresh, while follow-up with a company representative is an opportunity to boost your chances of a phone or in-person interview.
Putting yourself in a hiring manager’s position, seeing things from how he or she see things, will help guide your approach. Coporate life is hectic and managers tend to seek the best yet fastest solutions. Your “sizzle” as a candidate should target your potential employer’s problems, something you can inquire about during your follow-up and demonstrate what gold you bring to the table.
Scot Herrick on 06 Feb 2008 at 8:42 pm #
When the recruiter’s name — much less their phone number or e-mail address — is not listed on the Internet job application, how are you supposed to figure out how to follow up with a person?
It stuns me that this type of advice would be applauded when corporations do not allow a job seeker to break through the automated e-mail responses saying the e-mail address isn’t monitored (you know, by humans).
Most large companies don’t even list the recruiter associated with an internal position, much less to outside applicants.
Most people would love to follow-up, but they can’t because there is no real person listed on the Internet job application.
Faith Sheaffer-Thornberry on 07 Feb 2008 at 1:48 pm #
I hear the underlying frustration in the posted comments and assure you that most candidates feel the same way. My experience, both as a job seeker and as a coach to job seekers, bears out the wisdom of following up whenever feasible.
There are other ways of following up that do not rely on e-mail responses. However, it takes a bit of diligence, time, and even creativity.
If you apply on-line to a “blind” posting, meaning no company name, nothing but a job title, then yes, your hands are tied. However, this is not always the case.
When you know the name of the company, a few minutes search on-line will uncover the phone number and many times contact names. Think LinkedIn, where you enter a company name and people that work there are delivered to your screen. It may take you a couple calls and a few transfers, a false start or two, maybe even getting disconnected once or twice.
You begin asking everyone you know if they know anyone at the company- it doesn’t matter what his/her position is - you just want one name. From there you can pick up the phone and ask that contact for the name of the best person to call regarding your application.
If it is a local company, stop in person. The interview does not always go to the most qualified candidate. Many times it goes to the one with the most determination. I have seen this happen.
Most job seekers are savvy enough to realize, as the readers of this blog did, that automated application systems are not there for the benefit of the job seeker. They are in place for the benefit of the employer. They are a screening device. By-pass the screen.
Most of us prefer the path of least resistance, it is human nature. The cold reality is this: no one cares if you work again but you. It is not up to anyone else to take care of your job search. An employer will look at how you conduct your job search as an indication of how you will conduct your work responsibilities. Do you sit back and take a passive approach, letting others have control? Do you demonstrate leadership and collaboration skills by actively solving the job search problems? Today’s job market forces us to consider new methods.
Straight from the Job Seeker’s Mouth | Cube Rules on 22 Feb 2008 at 4:30 am #
[…] top right.A couple weeks back, the Career Management Alliance Blog wrote an article called “Straight From the Recruiter’s Mouth.” The basic premise of the article is straight-forward: “You must follow-up on Internet […]
Jim McFarland on 26 Mar 2008 at 10:44 am #
Absolutely, provided the applicant can get access to the actual hiring manager. When I was recruiting, there was rarely a point when an applicant would call in to follow up on an application or resume. In fact, in some cases, I looked forward to some people making their weekly follow up call.