I sit here writing another cover letter that I’m sure will make a great addition to some company’s circular file. I have applied to maybe 100 different places in the past year, and received rejection letters from only 3. One other called back to say they had filled the position.
Am I doing something wrong? My friends say I should be making follow-up calls, but to me that seems rude. If I were a hiring manager, I wouldn’t want my office steamrolled with 300 phone calls the week after I posted a job opening that only requested resumes. In fact, I would specifically Not hire anyone who called, just for bothering me.
But I’m not a hiring manager, I am an underemployed youth with a degree who is getting very angry at the economy.
So Dopers, tell me about ‘follow-up call etiqette’. How long should I wait to call? What should I say? If the posting only gave an e-mail address, should I google the company and call their actual phone number? What if I have an address to mail a resume, is it wrong to show up in person to inquire?
Follow up notes, saying “thank you for the interview” and telling them you are still interested. These can be mailed or emailed.
But that’s only if you get an interview. It can take hundreds of cold-call resumes to get an interview.
What’s better is to Network your way in. Find someone that knows someone. Try Linkedin.com, maybe. Then forward a copy of your resume to that person too, mentioning you are inerested in a job.
Don’t cold call. Call only if you have a newworking link. “Hello, Mr Nameofhiring Manager. I talked to YourfellowFraternalclubmember and…”
Network like crazy. Join a Fraternal org. and a club.
I agree with Dr Deth about the networking thing. What is your degree in? Join whatever organization in your area those with the same degree join (i.e., chapter of the American Marketing Association, if you’re in Marketing). Network with your alumni association. Contact the college where you got your most recent degree and get in with career services there—this is something you can and should access as an alumni.
I do know that people say “follow up! follow up!” when you’ve sent a resume, but it isn’t always that easy.