To call prospective employer?

[Theresmoretocome]

I applied for a job I really want a few weeks ago, the the closing date for applications was the 28th of April with interviews being held week commencing the 10th May.

The job is perfect for me and I really want it! There is no commute, fantastic salary and is close enough to the dc school where they can leave on they're own and meet me at their nan's house after.

I've never done it before but how would you look at a prospective employee if they were to call and ask how the application is progressing?

Did I mention I really want this job???

Dont

No harm in following up.

@thesandwich

Dont

Why so unequivocal without elaborating?

@thesandwich Why not?

I would be really annoyed if someone did this to me.

I think maybe you could call on Friday to ask if the fact you haven't been contacted for interview means you haven't been shortlisted. But they will almost certainly have a process. Its possible someone involved in shortlisting was away and they need a meeting to finalise, its possible they have the list of people who they want to contact but there's an admin person who will be allocating slots today.

I've done a lot of interviewing and there is a huge volume of applicants, people who contact randomly can be quite frustrating - the implication is, you haven't given me enough time/been efficient enough in processing this. I'd give it a few days - I think to be honest if you have been shortlisted I would expect to her today, but if not I don't think contacting on Friday is the worst thing. But you won't give a positive impression, and whether or not you give a negative one depends on the set up of the organisation.

How did you send the application? If you’re sure they got it I wouldn’t contact them. Good luck.

My BIL just did this and got the job. He put in an application and rang up, but before he rang he read everything on the website about the company and all the people's names. When the person on the phone answered something like "Dave Smith here", BIL apparently said "are you Dave, who works on the client care team?" Then when the guy said yes, BIL said "oh, I remembered your name because you're famous on the internet, there's a trustpilot review that mentions you! Look, my name's X, I'm applying for the job in sales but I'm worried my CV might get lost in the mix, you be able to give me the right person to talk to?" And the guy connected him not with HR but with the team leader that was doing the hiring. BIL managed to convey enthusiasm on the phone for the position while checking up on the process, and asked if there was anything else he could do to bolster his application.

I don't think that got him the job on its own, but it was like a little pre-interview - it got him the first interview and it went from there.

@namechangemarch21 Thank you for the input. I would obviously give it a few days as I know its been the weekend and bank holiday so wouldn't be harassing them.

I should mention - the job was in sales, so I think they liked the fact he rang up and was persistent since that's a skill they were looking for... so probably depends on the job!

What kind of job is this?

I’ve sometimes found the company’s internal recruiter(s) on LinkedIn and dropped them a message to follow up on the application.

Just a short, enthusiastic message stating that you’re following up on your application, why you’re a good fit and you’re still very excited about the job. Can’t hurt to try it!

Because there is plenty of time before interview dates. As pp says, organisations get loads of applications.
Just focus on doing as much prep as possible.

I sent it via their website and have had a confirmation email back confirming they're receiving it.

I would email them so you don’t put anyone on the spot. Keep it non nagging and non begging though of course.

I wouldn’t do it...but I also wish firms would just let people know. If someone who makes decisions is away, then don’t say that interviews will be held on xx date. I know where I work, I wouldn’t now be able to request time off for next week now, as we’re supposed to give at least a weeks notice. I don’t imagine I’m alone in that.

My friend used to interview people and said that she once didn’t give someone a job as when they came for interview, she asked what they had told their current employer and the person admitted they had called in sick. I asked what she expected them to do, with less than a week notice and interviews being held Monday-Friday 9-5. You might get away with a fictional appointment if your interview was first or last, but if it’s in the middle of the day and possibly in the other direction to your current job, what choice do you have?

Sorry to derail a bit OP but it’s a real bugbear of mine!

It's in Events planning for a small community charity. It wasn't widely advertised, but as I live in the area a friend of mine sent it to me via her Facebook. So unless you live round here it wouldn't be something you're looking for.

Honestly, I wouldn't do anything until the end of this week (week ending Friday 7th May). You could then contact them if you haven't heard back from them but don't contact them before that as they are still working out who to call for interview.

It would put me off a candidate if they chased me up like that. I'll contact who I want, when I want. I guess it depends on the role though, in some jobs pushiness is an attribute rather than an annoyance.

Honestly, I would wait until tomorrow/Thursday and then drop them an email. Personally I wouldn’t wait until Friday - if interviews are next week I’d expect them to be sending out interview invites earlier than Friday.

If it’s a small charity, you will most likely be able to find the right person via their website/LinkedIn. If the role is events-based I imagine you’ll need to speak to the head of fundraising or the marketing officer/manager.

Defo do it. As a recruiter it’s so boring looking through applications and CVs and there might be hundreds. A phone call to me would put you at the top of the review pile at least

As an employer, I think this would annoy me. The ad clearly states timescales so your call would make me think either:

a) you haven't read the ad properly
b) you're pushy
c) you're suggesting we aren't organised enough

None of those is a good look.

No, don’t. The time to call and chat was before you submitted your application. Now it will come across as trying to kiss ass.

They won’t want you to call and nag them.

If I was reviewing your application this would put me off you tbh

I agree with @vivainsomnia - the time to call was before you submitted your application. You're going to be interfering with the recruitment process if you do it now - that's not allowed.

I'm always surprised at the responses that say don't contact.

I've been recruiting directly, and helping other companies with recruitment, for 40 years and almost exclusively, demonstrating that level of interest can move someone from the maybe pile to the yes file. Constantly calling every second day will see your application in the bin but a call to establish time scales, was there everything you required in the application etc will be seen as a positive. A friendly follow up email after the interview, restating interest in the job, is always viewed positively.

You're going to be interfering with the recruitment process if you do it now - that's not allowed Who says?!