Are you frustrated when you receive no response after
you send out resumes, no follow-up calls to hear how
you did on interviews, no replies when you are trying
to gather more information about a prospective
employer?
Well, you are not alone. Over the past few years, it
seems like it has been impossible to get people to
return phone calls. The truth is this has always been
the case. The employment decision making process often
moves slowly. As a result, getting back to you happens
slowly too. But when you are out of work, or are trying
to jump from your current position, the waiting hurts
more, because the stakes are higher. In many cases, you
can”t afford to wait, because you need an answer now.
However, if you are proactive and creative, you can get
people to return your calls. Here are some tips that
work:
1. Don”t Expect People To Get Back To You.
This means follow-up on a regular basis. People get
busy and do not always remember to get back to you back
because they get sidetracked on other projects. They
are not avoiding you, they are just working on other
priorities, or do not have an answer for you yet.
The person who wants something is the person who is
responsible for following-up. This means you. You
cannot make one call and then say to yourself “if the
person wanted to get back to me they would” and then
give up. You have to be persistent. This is how you
will get what you want.
2. Schedule A Follow-Up Call At The End Of Each Call Or
Meeting.
Try not to leave any meeting or telephone conversation
without another one scheduled. This way you have a time
and a commitment from the other person to talk again.
So when you are following up you do not have to feel
like you are being pushy, rather you are fulfilling on
a commitment you made to have another call.
3. If They Cannot Give You A Follow-Up Time, Ask Them
When Would Be A Good Time Or Day To Call Them Again.
This way you do not leave the conversation hearing the
dreaded “I”ll get back to you.” or “I will call you.”
These words only keep you sitting by your phone for
days waiting for it to ring. In the meantime, you are
going over the last conversation in your head over and
over again, looking for clues of what you did wrong.
Don”t waste your time and energy. Let people know you
will be calling again.
4. If They Give You No Commitment (Or You Were Afraid
To Ask) Call Them
Here”s a trick that is very effective. Wait 3 days
after you”ve had a conversation with someone, and call
them. Then, call them once a week until they get back
to you. Many people feel funny about this, but it does
work. The goal here is to be as nice and gracious on
the first call as the 16th (or later.) If you get angry
and it comes across in your voice mail messages, you
will not get a return call.
Side note: Please do not think I am telling you to
stalk someone or be overly pushy. If someone says they
will get back to you, they should. Following-up is your
way of ensuring that they do. One rule to the follow-up
calls: if someone says stop calling, then stop calling.
But this happens very rarely.
In many cases the person you are trying to reach just
got busy and is grateful that you were persistent, and
thanks you for following-up. You both win, they get a
stellar employee, and you get a new job.
So what do you say? You only have one life to live so
it might as well be a life you love!
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