Good morning!
Would appreciate suggestions: I was contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn about an open position in the company for which she recruits. We had a phone call to discuss the position and I submitted my application and resume via the link provided. It’s been 8 workdays since then, without a word. I messaged the recruiter twice via LinkedIn to inquire, on Days 5 & 6. On day 7, I called the HR office of the company and left a voicemail message for the staff person. This is a high-profile, well-established biotech company. I find it difficult to believe their business practice is to ignore communication, so I’m wondering if there were technical issues with LinkedIn affecting messaging and submission of my resume. I can’t explain why the HR staff has not returned my phone call, though. Thoughts on whether or not to attempt contact with HR or the recruiter? Thank you!
Anonymous
06/12/21 at 12:59PM UTC
Good morning! Update. A few days ago the recruiter called to inform me someone else earned the position. Recruiter asked if I’d be interested in applying for a similar position, and I agreed. Had the initial phone interview yesterday. If satisfied with that, they will schedule a phone interview with the hiring manager for next week.
I appreciate everyone’s good wishes and suggestions and will keep you posted. I did a little more prep for this interview, which boosted my confidence and ability to more articulately respond to questions.
Toni Dennison
Experienced Business Analyst!
63
06/05/21 at 8:47PM UTC
I completely understand your frustration. In the last year and a half, I have worked with 26 different recruiters. Yes. 26. Some ghost. Some are great at follow up. Some don't have the bandwidth. Some just don't have the right positions. The market has been atrocious but seems to be picking up. In your particular scenario above, I agree with some of the comments... you have done your diligent follow ups. Now back off a bit. Wait a couple weeks and do another email follow up. But don't put all your eggs in one basket. Keep looking elsewhere. If this position is for you, the recruiter will definitely reach out.
Anonymous
05/31/21 at 8:10PM UTC
Ugh sorry. Agree. I would love it if recruiters would have a courtesy to at least say “yep we have your application, looking at other candidates as well and will get back to you but can’t advise when “
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:12AM UTC
Yes, courtesy! Thank you!
Susan GrayeGlobal Talent Attraction & Acquisition Leader
153
05/31/21 at 1:12PM UTC
Great question.
From a recruitment perspective, it is important to consider that it may be bandwidth. Dependent upon the company, "the recruiter" may be managing several requisitions and have more on their plate than can be managed.
In addition, the recruiter may not yet have an update for you from the hiring leader.
My advice would be to wait a week or two before following up with the understanding that you may be one of many people the recruiter is speaking to.
It would be helpful to send a follow up note at that juncture with any updates from your perspective.
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:14AM UTC
Thank you for your insight, which is greatly appreciated. This is my first time with a recruiter.
Stephanie F, MSHRMAssistant Director of HR
540
05/31/21 at 2:53PM UTC
I agree with this comment. Depending on the company, a lot of recruiters bandwidth has increased beyond normal capacity.
I would wait for them to follow up, but continue applying to other positions that interest you.
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:14AM UTC
Thank you, Stephanie! Appreciate your suggestion.
Pat RoqueSpeaker, Career Transformation Coach, Mastermind
445
05/31/21 at 12:57PM UTC
Pharma and biotech is my niche, and they are hungry for right-fit hires.
What kind of role and level are you seeking?
Be persistent yet remember you don’t know the whole story, no sense getting frustrated or reporting them with a nasty Glassdoor review.
It often takes 5 or more follow ups to get the ball moving. Ask the best way/tine to teach them directly and that you’ll gladly continue to reach out until you hear otherwise. (Polite stalking shows you have tenacity amd diligent follow up.)
Show you’re interested by reaching out to others on the new brand team, especially the hiring manager.
I belong to several industry groups that could also be a great resource for making connections.
Please feel free to connect here and on LinkedIn https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/patroque
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:19AM UTC
Hi, Pat! This is my first time working with a recruiter, so your insight is much needed and appreciated. The position title is senior technical analyst (IT role). How can I find out who the hiring manager is? Thank you for your suggestions and invite to connect on LinkedIn - I definitely will! http://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-kim-caldeira-78655245
April
289
05/30/21 at 11:08PM UTC
Pass. I do not recommend reaching out any more than you have already done since they now have your resume and application and voice mail messages. It is hard to see what is going on inside the company; vacation , illness, other internal issues. Let’s them decided based on what you have sent. It’s best to be remembered by your resume vs your attempt s to be remembered. It’s hard ... but gone are the days of a standard turn around.
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:20AM UTC
Thank you, April. Yes, I agree with you.
Anonymous
05/31/21 at 8:11PM UTC
Agree!
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:20AM UTC
thank you!
Anonymous
05/30/21 at 5:31PM UTC
It also bothers me when a recruiter tells you they will get back to you by a particular date and they ghost you with no updates, etc. I've also sent a follow up email to this same recruiter and still nothing. To me, this speaks volumes about integrity...
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:20AM UTC
Thank you for your support!
Anonymous
05/30/21 at 12:28PM UTC
I would take it as an indication that you don’t wAnt to work there. If you aren’t even an employee yet and they treat you this way then why would you want to join. Go to Glassdoor and warn others. Employers do read the things on Glassdoor and try to mitigate them so say you were contacted by Betty in HR and then ghosted and you tried to give enough time to respond. Don’t work for places that ghost and more importantly tell everyone. The companies spend money on employee surveys and they will start seeing these comments and check into it
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:21AM UTC
Thank you for your support and suggestions!
Katie Baird Helping Women Traverse Transitions
81
05/29/21 at 4:46PM UTC
Highly recommend you work to network to the actual hiring manager for the role - meaning the person you'd report to who is looking to fill the position.
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:22AM UTC
Thank you for this suggestion. How would I determine the name of the hiring manager?
Anonymous
05/29/21 at 4:13PM UTC
I've been ghosted by outside recruiters as well as ones working for the company. I read somewhere that they are sometimes afraid of saying the wrong thing and getting into trouble, but I think a blanket "they decided to go with candidates they feel are more in line with what the need" is a fine generic rejection. Personally, I think it is not only unprofessional, but cruel to just leave someone hanging.
Amber
42
06/01/21 at 2:23AM UTC
Thank you for your insight. This is my first experience working with a recruiter. What could a recruiter say that would be wrong and get them into trouble?
Anonymous
06/01/21 at 7:37PM UTC
I guess they are afraid of giving a reason as to why, and a sensitive job seeker taking offense and claiming some sort of discrimination. But I don't think a reason is necessary other than they're going with someone else.
