Q: Is it okay for me to follow up with a company after I’ve sent in my resumé?
I’ve already sent in my thank-you letter, too, but I just find it really weird that I haven’t heard back from them yet.
I mean, I know I was perfect for the job. Is there another follow up I can do where I won’t look like I’m too desperate even though I know I probably am? I’m really concerned because when I left I knew I had nailed the interview.
— T. Haegan
A: Hmm. That’s a tricky one, because you’ve already sent your thank- you follow-up note. You see, you never want to run the risk of coming off as too aggressive. That could give the employer the impression that you’re going to bring a set of interpersonal issues with you to the job if they do hire you.
Employers usually want assertive employees — but certainly not aggressive ones, unless we’re talking about the stock exchange or high-stakes sales!
It’s a hard thing to accept, but even when we think we’ve nailed an interview, sadly, we have to remember there’s a possibility that someone else may have nailed it even better than we did.
I know you really want to feel like you’ve taken another step so I’d recommend one — but only one — follow-up phone call. Place this call towards the end of their day when they might have more time to speak with you and/or when their secretary might be less likely to intercept the call.
Please remember that this call is not an opportunity to beg, it’s simply your chance to inquire where they are in the hiring process and if they are still considering you as the new hire.
Another way to gauge things is to ask very directly in the job interview when they intend to hire the new person.
Should that date pass and you haven’t received a call you pretty much know what that means, right?
I can totally understand your frustration here but sometimes we’ve got to pick up our integrity and move forward.
Placing the call is the best you can do at this point. While you continue your job search elsewhere, you might want to mention to the company you interviewed at that you’d be willing to volunteer and/or consider an internship. (That is, assuming you’re still at the stage where you’re energized enough to pay your dues and don’t already feel like you’ve been paying them forever.) Good luck!
| jill’s tip of the week |
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