How to Make a Follow up Call after a Job Interview
You just finished a job application interview. You are pleased with the way you handled yourself and that voice inside you assures you that you have made it. The people who handled your interview told you that they would call you soon. Unfortunately, you did not hear from them. You were very disappointed. And what’s worse, things like this are constantly happening. Just remember: Companies can display improper etiquette just like people. It’s not good, but it is common.
On Tuesday, Cheryl was interviewed by a company for a job application. Cheryl knew that she did very well in the interview. The HR representative told her that they would contact her within the week. Friday came, and still no one from the company made an attempt to contact Cheryl. She was getting worried. She wanted to ask about her application but she was confused.
Fortunately, for Cheryl, her cousin Gloria is a Human Resources officer at a different firm. She finally decided to ask Gloria for some advice regarding her application. Gloria told Cheryl that it is okay to call back, but she should call the company on Tuesdays because Mondays are always a bad time to follow up.
The following Tuesday, Cheryl prepared herself to make the call. She had written a script of her inquiry to make her sound self-assured. She also practiced to make sure that she would sound just right. She dialed and heard a voice mail. Her message went like this:
“I’m Cheryl Jones. We met last Tuesday when I came for the job interview. I just want to follow up the condition of my application and I am thinking if you still believe that I am suited for the job. I will be pleased if you try to reach me today. My telephone number is 333-999-8888. Thank you for this time.”
If a company does not call you back as promised, it is okay to get back to them and leave them a message. Do not call unless you are ready. Make sure that you sound professional and polite. Explain to the company representative that you need to know the status of your application before you consider other opportunities because their company is your best option. Try to follow-up once until the third time. If they still do not respond, consider your application to be denied. Otherwise you will just seem annoying to them.
If you get a chance to talk to a real person when you call, make the best out of this opportunity to inquire about your pending application. Sometimes the person who will talk to you will offer you sound advice. Appreciate this instance and thank the person because this seldom happens. Find a lesson to learn from this event.
Bosses know that applicants are very eager to find out about the results of their application. For this reason, most employers wait for the right time to discuss this matter to the applicant. On the other hand, there are employers who let applicants wait even after announcement date. You have to consider things like this before working for that particular employer. Meanwhile, do something productive while you wait by looking for other jobs.
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