Job search is challenging mentally and physically. You don’t always know if you fit into the position or if you should pursue a different career. But do you know what hurts even more? The fear of being rejected. Let’s be honest: sometimes, waiting for job recruiters to call back after an interview can be even more painful than hearing, “Sorry, we can’t employ you right now.”
What are the reasons for hiring managers to ignore your calls? Is it normal? What to do if the recruiter doesn’t reach you at the agreed time? Let’s dig a little deeper and find out!
Why Do Job Recruiters Don’t Call Back?
First of all, if you feel lost and disappointed by the time you find the article, no worries. You are not alone. Your applications just didn’t find the right spot yet. And it’s not a sign you’re less qualified; candidates with exceptional resumes and cover letters can get rejected too.
Tailoring your resume and cover letter to your area of expertise is crucial. If you specialize in graphic design, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to create a persuasive cover letter for a graphic designer role, emphasizing your talents and past achievements.
So, what are the odds the recruiter won’t reach you? First, take a look at the common situations happening at interviews:
- An applicant doesn’t have a minimum degree requirement: for many positions, you need to have a specific certification confirming your skills.
- An applicant has a weak (or copy-pasted) resume: well, in the 21st century, that’s a sin! If you’re not good at writing, ask some executive resume writing services for help, but NEVER submit a mediocre resume.
- The interview didn’t go well: you were not familiar with the company, you didn’t do enough research for the position, or your soft skills just didn’t match the employer’s requirements.
- The company already has the right person in mind: this happens quite often. A company might open the vacancy, even if they already have the candidate.
- Another reason may be shifting priorities: when the company decides to close the position at some point. It may happen because of a tight budget, people returning from their maternity/sick leave, or reducing the workflow.
Another way to enhance your chances during a job hunt is to focus on the quality of your interview performance. Implementing the STAR Method can be quite effective in mastering behavioral interviews. By systematically preparing for these types of questions using AI-powered training, candidates can significantly improve their prospects and transition from being merely suitable to being the ideal hire. This transformative approach not only boosts confidence but leads to measurable success in landing desired positions.
One way or another, you have to care about your mental health first, not job recruiters. Nobody can force you to give up a dream job, and plenty of other companies might need your services.
But do you know what’s obvious? You always deserve feedback! The difference is only how long you should expect it.
What You Should Do, While Expecting a Response?
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So, let’s assume you’ve applied for a position, attended a job interview, and heard the “Thank you, we’ll call you back!” line. How long do you have to wait? And how to speed up the process?
1. Follow up
If you agreed on the approximate feedback time but didn’t hear back from the recruiter, don’t hesitate to call. As a rule of thumb, following up within a week after an interview is acceptable. You’ll save time and will be able to find a workplace at another company.
2. Don’t disturb
One thing is to give a call or leave a message politely, but it’s completely different when you come on too strong. Being too persuasive has two sides: you may seem overly excited about the job opportunity, but in most cases, you just seem desperate. And that’s worse.
3. Avoid overanalyzing
The common hobby for many applicants is beating themselves up mentally after an interview. Whatever you think you could have done (or said) better — don’t. You are who you are, and that interview could not go better.
On the other hand, it’s good to reflect on your answers. Think about it as your rehearsal for a play: if you did something wrong, take a note, and next time you’ll sound much better.
4. Keep yourself occupied
The situation with the job recruiters is not one you can control. That’s why people tend to procrastinate while waiting for a response. It may feel like the world has stopped, and until you have feedback, you can do nothing but sit and wait.
If you still work for another company, lean into your job; if you are unemployed, consider doing the household duties or volunteering. It will not affect the job search result but will make you feel much better.
5. Move on with your job search
Of course, no one ever applies for one job solely, so shouldn’t you. Unless this is a company, you’ve dreamed of.
While waiting for an answer from one recruiter, you can absolutely go to the other interviews. And it’s perfectly normal to say, “I have to think about this position because I have a few more vacancies in mind” when talking to a prospective employer.
Final Thoughts
There are many factors impacting your employment. It can be your education (beyond a high school diploma), your qualification, or your set of skills. One way or another, you have to follow up with the recruiter and don’t let the job application impact your mental health. Stay strong and confident, and the dream job will find you soon!
Andrej Fedek is the creator and the one-person owner of two blogs: InterCool Studio and CareersMomentum. As an experienced marketer, he is driven by turning leads into customers with White Hat SEO techniques. Besides being a boss, he is a real team player with a great sense of equality.
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