You had a great job interview – or so you thought. But they haven’t called you back. Not hearing anything is worse than a rejection, as you begin to feel anxious, confused and impatient.
You’re not alone. A recent survey showed that a staggering 75 percent of candidates didn’t hear back regarding positions they had applied for in the past year. Often, it’s just rudeness on the part of the employer. Additional reasons include:
They’re Taking Their Time
As frustrating as this may seem, your potential employment may not be an employer’s top priority. Especially if it’s a new position, they may not be in a tremendous hurry to fill it.
- Note the date the job was first posted. If you were among the first to interview, the employer may be holding out till it’s been open for a certain period of time.
- Other internal delays may have arisen. A key decision maker could be out sick or on vacation. Or perhaps the employer has decided to change the job and is working out new job description specs. In any case, they are taking extra time to complete the hiring process and might get back to you eventually.
You Didn’t Follow Up
Don’t expect the employer to make the first post-interview move. Following up is mandatory if you want to stay in the running.
- Initiate communication with a thank-you note. Send this out within one business day after your interview. Reiterate your interest in the position and your qualifications.
- Show initiative. In your follow-up note, offer some interesting industry-related news, such as a seminar, Twitter chat, blog or LinkedIn discussion.
Problems with Your Contact Information
Be sure your contact information is current and accurate. Include in on your cover letter, your resume and your thank-you note. Proofread it – and then proofread it again. You don’t want to miss out on an ideal job opportunity due to phone number digits reversed or a missing letter in your email address.
They Want to Avoid Legal Issues
In today’s litigious society, virtually any scenario can become grounds for a lawsuit. Instead of calling to let you know why you weren’t hired, an employer may take the “silence is golden” approach to avoid any such confrontation.
You Weren’t Chosen
The harsh reality is: If you haven’t heard back from an employer after a few weeks post-interview, it’s a safe assumption that you didn’t get the job. Chalk it up to experience and move on.
- Have a plan. After you’ve sent a thank-you note and still not gotten a response, send a simple, professional follow-up message within about three business days. Wait another week or so before asking again. After three follow-ups, it’s time to put the whole experience behind you.
Use Your Connections
Check out your LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts for persons who work or have worked at the company where you interviewed. Ask if they would endorse you via a message to your interviewer. This connection could help you land the job.
An Employment Professionals Canada recruiting expert can partner with you to fine-tune your job search, interview and follow-up strategy. To learn more, read our related posts or contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
