Following up on job applications??

freakyogre

It must be a bit better where I am as i'd say last time I was applying 75% of jobs i've applied for I did get a response from (whether it was an interview invite, or a polite no thanks).

The others usually had a note saying that if you haven't heard within x time, assume you've been unsuccessful.

This time around I have only heard back from one out of about a dozen (and they replied within the hour!) but again, some of them had notes on, so if I don't hear within a certain time i'll take the hint. It is annoying though when you don't get a response, but I can see it from the other side as they must have hundreds of people applying for one job and probably do not have the time to let everyone know.

loisa

I can see it from their point of view, 200 + is a huge amount of applications! Quite shocking really.
The cynical side of me thinks that they never even looked at it because their friend/brother/neighbour/cat was obviously a better candidate... Especially when I know I put in a really good application, silly I know but I just can't help it!

I always try to start the day feeling positive, it's just so disheartening to watch the clock approach 5 and know thats it for another day, no calls.:(

Rockporkchop

I hope you get something good soon. Hopefully this particular job will have your name on it. xx

My firm has a policy now where they won't employ relatives of current employees - it was causing too many problems.

ekkygirl

I think a week is a bit soon to expect to hear back. Sometimes jobs are advertised elsewhere possibly in agencies, and the closing date is later . It is also holiday time so maybe the person who makes decisions is on leave. You will probs hear soon

jena

I would wait a couple of weeks at least before making an enquiry. Companies seem to take a lot longer now to respond

LondonDiva

I had a job open initially for 2 weeks. By the next day we had 50 applicants and I moved the closing date forward by a week. I ended up with just under 280 applicants.

My colleague & I spent three mornings shortlisting and reading each one & comments and there were so many the original timescales had to be stuck to. Then interviews for 2 days. I have had 24 applicants request comments on receipt of the email "no thanks", which they will get next week and not before.

Another colleague had 632 applicants for a PA post that was open for a week, it's sheer scale of the work that causes that lack or courtesy.

lufcgirl

I've been having the same sort of issues too.

However there was one job I've been chasing for seven months now. It's in Ireland and in the town I'd be living in. I have years and years experience working in this type of role so knew I'd be perfect so applied. Anyway I didn't hear back and they kept advertising the same vacancy. I kept calling but got an answerphone.
Eventually (last week) I got through to the right girl and she was lovely, asked me to run through my history and gave me an interview straight away. She said they have that many applications now that people who call up to check get an interview if suitable as they have far too many CV's to get through in the timescale between interviews and start dates.

FIASCO_2

I think you should call. I think you should ask to speak to the person dealing with the vacancy and then ask that person to confirm safe receipt of your application.

Not only does this put your mind at rest but it also allows the sifter of the applications to identify you. He/she will then know you are serious about your application and proactive in your attitude.

I have sifted in the past and I def think it is in your interest to make yourself and your interest known. In fact I would also ask what sort of timescale they are looking at in terms of putting someone in place.

Good luck to you.

loisa

Just a bit of an update. I didn't follow up the application in the end, I had decided it probably wasn't worth it and was unable to get on the internet to send the email anyway.
And then they call me up today!!!
It was completely unexpected. They had told me when I applied that the interviews would probably be taking place in the week just gone.

That will teach me to be so flippin cynical! But I just had a feeling about this job, which was why I was moaning so much in the first place!

This week I also received a 'no thanks' letter for a different job that I applied for a couple of months ago. I guess it can all just take a bit longer than expected to shortlist and get back to everyone. I will not be so impatient in future!

I really hope this interview goes well. Unfortunately, since I applied for that job I had given up on finding work around here and decided to relocate! I would still be able to get to that job but it will take a lot longer.
Oh well, I haven't got it yet so I probably shouldn't be worrying about that just yet!

greenbee

Any system that allows you to apply on line can easily be set up to send out automated rejection letters (or for you to amend them). I have templates in our system which allow me to reject at CV sift, after telephone interview, after face to face interview and after assessment centre. The initial ones simply give 'other more suitable candidates' as a reason, which is the sifting criteria at this stage. Later ones offer feedback on request. Given that all I have to do is check boxes next to the affected candidates and confirm that I want the email sent out, it's not that onerous!

I get REALLY irritated by recruiters who hassle you for information in order to put your name forward for a role, tell you that they'll get back to you and never do. I keep these details on file to remind me a. not to use them to get jobs if I can find a way round it and b. not to use them to recruit for me if they're going to treat my candidates this way!