It's a story I hear over and over again: job applicants left in the lurch by prospective employers. This situation happens without regard to specific positions, compensation or status in the organization. It's frustrating, annoying and unprofessional and you need to know how to deal with this inevitable downside of the job search.
In most cases, you've taken all the right steps: followed application directives, used your network wisely and/or submitted professional documents as requested. At this point the ball is in the employer's court and the waiting game begins.
It used to be common practice for the applicant to receive an Email or a postcard indicating receipt of their application materials. This seems to be the exception to the rule nowadays. Consequently, it's up to you as the applicant to check on this important detail yourself. I've heard many scenarios where the applicant believes he or she effectively submitted a resume online only to find out (too late) that it was never received.
You may be told by the prospective employer that you will hear news about the hiring process by a certain date. Then the date goes by without any word. In this case, it's appropriate to wait a couple of days then make a call to inquire about the process and the status of your application. You may have to repeat this step a few times in the course of the hiring process. If you do this within reasonable timeframes, you don't need to be concerned about being pushy.
The hiring process can be delayed for dozens of reasons unknown to you. Ideally, some indication of a change in the process should be communicated to the applicant. But, I don't hear of that happening very much. So, be careful not to jump to conclusions about your candidacy or why the search is delayed. It's common to make up stories in your mind when you don't know what is going on, but this is not in your best interest.
Since you can never know how a particular hiring process will proceed, it's wise to keep several options going at once. That way, you will not be waiting by the phone or your computer waiting for word from your only prospect.
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Barbara---
I think the most difficult thing about waiting on a "prospective employer" to make up his (or her) mind...is knowing that I could be sitting at a desk or inside a production studio board SOLVING A PROBLEM OR COMING UP WITH A FRESH IDEA (aka commercial) FOR A CLIENT! Hence...the company I could be working for won't realize my potential for making them a 'few extra dollars?'
I completely understand why some new employers have to be careful about whom they hire. But shouldn't the interested candidates get more than just a "we're still considering all applications" excuse?
Granted...most of us who are looking for work can apply for several positions connected (or remotely similar) to our skills and talents...but shouldn't there be a time limit when it comes to the 'screening process?'
Posted by Gary
I work in Human Resources for a large group and have to say that the most annoying thing about the process is the constant stream of phone calls asking if we received an application - to be honest such persistence often leaves a bad taste in the mouth before we even reach the interview stage. We used to send out cards saying we received your application but legal restrictions now prevent us from doing so, we do not wish to be sued because we told someone's soon to be ex-spouse (through an acknowledgement card) that they were applying for a job 100 miles away.
Posted by SarahSarah,
I appreciate hearing a comment from the other side of the desk. It is true that current legal concerns have compounded the issue of timely contact around the hiring process. Still, there are employers who maintain communication with their applicants and keep them posted of changes in the hiring process. From my perspective, those employers are becoming the exception.
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