Following up - Online Job Application

Jimbob1977

Hi there,

Two weeks ago, I found a job online that was almost a perfect match for my past experience.

I applied immediately online with my CV and a Covering Letter. I received an automated email that my application had been successfully lodged and that HR would filter through applications and be in touch.

If successful, an interview would be set up. If unsuccessful, they would revert by email to reject the application.

I know that the automated email said to wait to hear from them, but it's a fortnight now.

Should I sit tight and wait for them.... or is there any harm in making a polite phone call to them?

Any advice is much appreciated

Mrs OBumble

Sit tight. Unless you have some way of knowing who the hiring manager is.

Just because you think it's a perfect fit doesn't mean that the employer will, there can be all sorts of reasons why it's not so perfect after all.

GalwayGrrrrrl

I agree - two weeks isn't that long to wait. Sit tight and wait to hear back. You said an "almost" perfect fit- they may have lots of applications that are a 100% fit.

messy tessy

Very frustrating isn't it! I have applied for a job two weeks ago, and nothing back in return. Not even a 'thank you for your application' response.

Avatar MIA

This is my take on it.

Can anyone imagine a situation where a HR person thought, 'Oh my god, who is this impetuous applicant, oh actually, he's quite the perfect fit and worthy of calling for interview, but hold on... he didn't quite wait long enough. Into the bin it goes.'

For the love of god, it's been two weeks. Nobody is going to bin a good application for having the gumption to ask for an update.

Jimbob1977

Quick update.... It's now been three weeks since I applied.

I was able to find out the name of the recruiter in-house.

I have left two very polite voicemails.... to no avail.

It's hard to fathom why a company would advertise a role and not make any contact (either positive or negative) after three weeks.

I found out through contacts in the company that i) the job still exists and ii) it is still open.

HR Departments are probably busy, but a quick call or update goes a long way for waiting applicants.

Maybe I'm being precious, but I find it unprofessional.

Mrs OBumble

You're being precious. Three weeks, especially in a large company, is nothing. The hiring manager may have been on leave, or asked to cover a short-term emergency in another team .. lots of possibilities.

DaraDali

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

Quick update.... It's now been three weeks since I applied.

I was able to find out the name of the recruiter in-house.

I have left two very polite voicemails.... to no avail.

It's hard to fathom why a company would advertise a role and not make any contact (either positive or negative) after three weeks.

I found out through contacts in the company that i) the job still exists and ii) it is still open.

HR Departments are probably busy, but a quick call or update goes a long way for waiting applicants.

Maybe I'm being precious, but I find it unprofessional.

I once waited 2 months to hear back from my Dream job, :rolleyes: You need to learn patience young one

Jimbob1977

DaraDali wrote: »

I once waited 2 months to hear back from my Dream job, :rolleyes: You need to learn patience young one

Hi DaraDali

Just wondering what you did if other job offers were presented during that two month waiting period.

Would you have rejected them and focused entirely on that 'dream job'... even though it was not in the bag?

Hard to know the best way to balance concrete job offers vs. the chance of a better job

Diziet

There are all sorts of reasons - hiring manager may be very busy, the role is not urgent, or there are questions over the funding.
Not much you can do really. Keep applying to jobs that are a good fit.