I Feel So Alone!

“I couldn’t call you back because my phone was misbehaving.”  “I didn’t check my email all day.”  “I can only interview Tuesdays at 7:00am or 6:00pm.”

These are actual quotes from people in need of a new job.  This amazes, confuses, frustrates, and annoys a recruiter or hiring manager.   We hate having to chase people.

To treat your job search with such nonchalance is a surefire way to let someone else swoop in and get the opportunity, and probably the job.  If you’ve submitted your resume somewhere, you should be ready for a phone call and/or an email, and you should have a plan for how to take the necessary time to attend an interview.  I’m not suggesting that you jeopardize your current job by calling out sick, but have a handle on your schedule so that it’s easy to set up an interview.

Allow us to provide some tips for best communication practices for your job search:

  • Make sure any phone number provided is working properly.
  • If you can’t answer a call right away, be sure to call back as soon as possible, preferably the same day.
  • Make sure your voice mail greeting is personalized, friendly and professional.
  • Have a professional email address, preferably your full name @ the email domain.
  • Check your email frequently and respond promptly.
  • Regularly check any social media through which you might receive messages (LinkedIn, for example).

Everyone’s time is valuable, and while there are obviously circumstances that arise that are out of our control, the key is to be flexible and responsive.  Don’t let the opportunity fall to someone else.  Make it easy for people to communicate with you!