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Original poster

Would you follow up a job application?

17 replies

katedan · 28/05/2012 11:49

I have applied for a job which would be ideal for me and felt I had put in a strong application. The advert said that if you had not heard anything by the date of the interviews your application was unsuccessful. The closing date was the 18th May and the interviews were set for the 11th and 12th June. When would you expect to hear something? and do you think I should e mail the HR department to find out if the sift has happened? I am really keen to get this job and finding it hard to concentrate on anything else while I wait to hear something. However I don't want to appear pushy and desperate (which I am!) to the HR departmet which might go against me if they have not sifted yet.

Would really appreciate your thoughts.

OP posts:
SweetGrapes · 28/05/2012 12:35

Call them. They should be able to tell you something and it shows interest on your part.

SweetGrapes · 28/05/2012 12:38

sorry... email them not call.

3teenhell · 28/05/2012 12:49

I would say don't. They have clearly stated when you would expect to hear by so wait until then and if you don't hear then no luck i'm afraid.

i say this as an HR lady myself who often recieves 100 + CV's for a role, and really don't want them emailing and or calling to chase too. i also put on my ads if you have not heard by such and such you were unsuccessful , to try and stop this.

Good luck though

Original poster
katedan · 28/05/2012 13:55

3teenhell do you mind people contacting you afterwards to get feedback on why they were not selected for interview? I was hoping by contacting them it would look like I had not just fired of 10 job applications but actually care about getting the role but take on board about being contacted by 100 different people.

I am hoping I am wrong but I thinkk the sift would have happened by now and I would just like to know so I am not in limbo.

OP posts:
3teenhell · 28/05/2012 14:38

Hi Kate
Its such a hard one as a few years ago i would have welcomed all that you suggest, but the sheer number of applications nowdays means that i would never get anything done.
I do get the odd email chasing and have a template i send out stating when they will know by, if nothing then not successfull or on a bad day i ignore them
As for feedback, i would welcome it from someone i interviewed but didn't get the job, but not from applicants .

Because so many people apply for each role i think alot of people who don't even make interview stage probably have ideal skills experiance etc ,it just comes down to someone else having slightly more of the same alot of the time.
I feel for you and all applicants in this climate. I interview some who say applied for 100 roles you were only ones to even reply

My advice would be sit tight and abide by what they are asking, which is wait till interview dates and see if you hear. Frustrating for you i know, but thats why they have put it.
I also don't think you would get any worthwile feedback as to why you didn't make interview stage i think they will just say had many applicants with suitable skills.
If you make interview and then don't get role i will always give feedback if asked because i have an idea then about the person.

HTH

3teenhell · 28/05/2012 14:39

oh and the sift may not have happened yet, we often don't finalise a list till week before interview

Original poster
katedan · 28/05/2012 15:46

Thanks 3teen it is nice to have advice from someone on the "inside"

OP posts:
SauvignonBlanche · 28/05/2012 15:50

You should expect to have heard from them by a week before the interview.
Sadly it isn't always possible to give individual feedback as to why candidates haven't been shortlisted.
I've had 50 applicants for one post.

3teenhell · 28/05/2012 16:00

no probs, good luck. fingers crossed for you!

ibbydibby · 28/05/2012 16:02

I have applied for 3 jobs in the last 18 months where I have been invited to attend for interview, a week or 2 after the interview was supposed to take place. Same emplyer (university) each time. (ie they actually contacted me after the date the interview was due to take place on)

For the first interview, I had to wait 10 days for a letter telling me I hadn't got the job. For the second, I heard the same afternoon. For the third, I emailed in desperation to find out whether they had made a decision after 2 weeks of waiting. I hadn't got the job. but was subsequently offered that one a couple of weeks later.

Don't want to raise your hopes but that's my experience!

ibbydibby · 28/05/2012 16:02

PS fingers crossed here also.

twittertotter · 28/05/2012 16:15

I'd also recommend you wait to hear.

I work in HR and have had 200+ applications to sift and often look after 4 or 5 live roles so individual feedback just not possible.

Candidate who stalk and don't follow process aren't doing themselves any favours I'm afraid. Being pushy and thinking you are the best person for that role when you know nothing of the other applicants can come across as being quite arrogant and unrealistic.

I know it's tough but be patient - if you don't get this one then try try try again. Smile

SweetGrapes · 28/05/2012 20:55

I guess I stand corrected then.
I must say though that I don't email much - but whenever I have, I have always got a line or two back saying something meaningful. But it has been agencies and not direct hr. Maybe they are different.
Sometimes they call up 10 minutes after I sent them the cv - just to clarify some skill or the other, so they probably work in a different way from HR.
But I definetely email HR/interviewer after an interview - a thank you email - not asking for anything - and have always got some feedback back.

Putthatbookdown · 28/05/2012 22:49

I found the best way to get a job was to apply to companies etc on spec In fact any HR person will tell you a lot of roles are just not advertised Even when they have to advertise they already have people in the waiting. I know this as i have friends in Councils etc who tell me this : sometimes they will have staff already working there on a casual basis who they already know they will give the job to. They say all this about volumes of applicants but you
should also check if they havea high staff turnover and if so why?

Original poster
katedan · 03/06/2012 12:58

Found out on Friday I have an interview!!!! very please although I was qute confused as on Wednesday they told me had not got an interview!!!!!

Keep your fingers crossed.... I really want this job!!!!

OP posts:
ibbydibby · 06/06/2012 16:42

That's great, well done. Fingers crossed - when is the interview?

Original poster
katedan · 06/06/2012 20:16

On Monday, have just been doing some preparation. I think I might have got an interview as on the Wednesday I was told I was not shortlisted and I asked for feedback as to why and 2 days later I got called to interview so I think to give me my feedback they re read my application form and thought they would give me an interview anyway. Means I have got to knock them dead in the interview as I do not have all the experience they require but I am oing to give it my best shot! can't beleive how much I want this!

OP posts:
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