Interviewing - call or no call?

cerebus

cerebus

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Personally I hate nothing in this life more than interviewing for jobs. Anyway I've been on the market for a little while and had some quite positive interviews, but as I'm sure everyone has experienced the period of waiting for feedback is an absolute purgatory.

The question is, is it appropriate or not to call the HR and ask how things are progressing? And if it is, at what time point should you do it? A day, a week, two weeks?

I know it's considered bad form to push yourself on an employer but a single phone call? Yay or nay, how do you vote?
 
If they don't call in more than 2 weeks it's probably a no. Nothing wrong with giving them a call & finding out though.
I worked with an agent where people wouldn't call back even when I was sure I'd impressed. I then called one of the employers and found out the deadlock was negotiations with the recruitment agents. Needless to say I ditched them and went solo. First interview, got in.
 
I see nothing wrong in calling and following up - in fact I've always done it. Just don't sound desperate I think (even if you are). Perhaps something along the lines of, "Hey, just calling to check up how the selection process is going. I've been called to attend a number of other interviews, but this is the JD that appeals most to me. Any idea when your selection process will be wrapped up?"

GL.
 
Pavan said:
I see nothing wrong in calling and following up - in fact I've always done it. Just don't sound desperate I think (even if you are). Perhaps something along the lines of, "Hey, just calling to check up how the selection process is going. I've been called to attend a number of other interviews, but this is the JD that appeals most to me. Any idea when your selection process will be wrapped up?"

GL.
Click to expand...
+1. Very good response.
 
Yeah well for instance one particular job took 1 1/2 months from the time of applying to invite me in for an interview. From there I went very quickly through to final round stage. Then the waiting begins again. Now if I'm not selected, then I'd rather just know so I can put it behind me. Anyways I dunno.
 
I don't think it's bad form to phone after a week or so just to find out. it also shows them that you are showing some interest and you really do want the job
 
Has anyone had a good experience with recruitment agencies? They don't seem to work for me. I'd rather go solo.
 
sutekj said:
Has anyone had a good experience with recruitment agencies? They don't seem to work for me. I'd rather go solo.
Click to expand...

As far as I know they get some sort of percentage back on the annual salary of the new recruit. So they are tough negotiators on your behalf when it comes to salary, they are more likely to try push it up a bit.

They are also a sort of middle ground negotiator where both parties can voice concerns without fear of giving the wrong impression, they know how to deal with it "politically" so there is no stress.

But there are negatives as well I am sure. And it probably does depend on the agency as well.
 
With a recruitment agent? I'd let them handle the call but always send a follow-up email.
Direct to the company? I would always call after a follow up email and a few days. It shows drive, confidence, motivation and provides an inkling into the way you work. And of course, a follow up email.

A few things though:

1 - I'd never leave an interview without knowing what the next steps are and the time-frames involved.

2 - the follow-up call is exactly what any decent recruitment agent would do on your behalf, so why wouldn't you?
 
DJ... said:
With a recruitment agent? I'd let them handle the call but always send a follow-up email.
Direct to the company? I would always call after a follow up email and a few days. It shows drive, confidence, motivation and provides an inkling into the way you work. And of course, a follow up email.

A few things though:

1 - I'd never leave an interview without knowing what the next steps are and the time-frames involved.

2 - the follow-up call is exactly what any decent recruitment agent would do on your behalf, so why wouldn't you?
Click to expand...

That is great advice.
 
Do you not ask when they will let you know of their decision after the interview?

I thought it standard that if they respond positively to just ask when can you expect to hear from them. Then it is a no brainer. Phone after promised date.

I take a different approach to this, if the interviewee never phones to check on progress it tells me he is not all that interested in the job.
 
MyWorld said:
Do you not ask when they will let you know of their decision after the interview?

I thought it standard that if they respond positively to just ask when can you expect to hear from them. Then it is a no brainer. Phone after promised date.

I take a different approach to this, if the interviewee never phones to check on progress it tells me he is not all that interested in the job.
Click to expand...

I was told I would hear within 2 days. So I phoned today and I was told they were still going through decision making progress and I'd definitely hear one way or another by next week. No harm done I reckon.
 
No harm in trying... if they have lost your details or your CV then you can give it to them.... or perhaps they were considering a few people and were wondering who the most eager person is.


Worse case they were not going to make an offer anyway, then you know to move on
 
A follow up email is normally better.
Something in the line of:
"Thank you for the opportunity. Please advise the prospective date of commencement for this position.
Feel free to contact me if there are any further questions."

Its best to get the prospective starting date and also an idea of the process itself during the interview.
 
Pavan said:
I see nothing wrong in calling and following up - in fact I've always done it. Just don't sound desperate I think (even if you are). Perhaps something along the lines of, "Hey, just calling to check up how the selection process is going. I've been called to attend a number of other interviews, but this is the JD that appeals most to me. Any idea when your selection process will be wrapped up?"

GL.
Click to expand...

Done this myself. It shows that you are interested to get working.

sutekj said:
Has anyone had a good experience with recruitment agencies? They don't seem to work for me. I'd rather go solo.
Click to expand...

Nah. They've set me up with interviews and such but all the jobs I've had I walked into the company and asked to meet with the technical director, or left my CV for him/her. Even if they aren't advertising positions I still go in. No harm in trying, and it's worked out well so far.
 
Human said:
A follow up email is normally better.
Something in the line of:
"Thank you for the opportunity. Please advise the prospective date of commencement for this position.
Feel free to contact me if there are any further questions."

Its best to get the prospective starting date and also an idea of the process itself during the interview.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be asking about the commencement date in the follow-up email. That's what the interview is for. A decent follow-up email IMO will be a simple thank you with a reiteration as to why you believe you are perfectly suited for the position. You could also use the opportunity to clarify any questions from the interview...
 
Follow-up calls for me. I usually phone a day or 2 after and also usually find out the timelines involved as mentioned. Sometimes I just say hi and ask them how they are, avoiding the topic of the job entirely until the last moment where I bring up something like "How's the recruitment going?" I usually end up saying "Thanks, and remember my awesomeness when you consider me!"

I get some laughs and a goodbye... btw, you have to "setup" the whole "I am awesome" thing for the last bit to work. I usually do that in the interview.

8/10 times the company phones me back just to say that I didn't get the position and that they're sorry. So if you get ignored by a company in the entire process you did something wrong ;)
 
So they tentatively offered me the position pending clearance and references. Holding thumbs for all that to go through smoothly.
 
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