Applied for a job

[WolfAir]

Hey All, I applied for a job last week with an engineering group close to where I live. I have some limited experience in the field but truly willing to put in my own time to learn anything I may already lack.
So, as I have done countless other jobs, I rang up earlier this week to speak to the person in charge of hiring as a follow up to my application and if unsuccessful, maybe get some feedback. First day I rang the person was unavailable, same with second. The third time I rang they were in a meeting so I asked the secretary to take my number and to ring me back, she told me No sorry they wouldnt ring you back, to which I could only reply ok thanks and hung up.
Why would they not ring me back? The job is still being advertised if that makes a difference. But still. Even if I was rejected, it takes a couple of seconds to say no sorry mate good luck next time.
You would think these people never knew what it was like trying to get your foot in the door.

[MissChief]

Sadly you're unlikely to even get a letter if you're unsuccessful these days.

[Terminator X]

Probably just want to keep their options open. If they don't tell you no they can always say yes so perhaps some silver lining there?

TX.

[Sy1441]

Was made redundant in the summer, applied for maybe 200 jobs since then (retail middle management) and had no contact back from at least 75% of them.

[rog007]

Sy1441 said:

Was made redundant in the summer, applied for maybe 200 jobs since then (retail middle management) and had no contact back from at least 75% of them.

Did you get a job after all of those applications?

[Tribal Chestnut]

Send in an absolutely stonking CV under a different name. Get interview, call 5 mins before to make excuses due to an emergency. Be very apologetic and rearrange, either for something early or late (a little outside normal hours). Call just before to say you're running 30 mins late, then don't show at all. Then call the woman the next day and say it was you that messed them about and it's just a taster of what's going to happen if they don't employ you.

[TurricanII]

I normally advise asking the employer at interview: "when are you looking to make a decision by?". Then you know when to follow up for feedback.

It sounds like you went for an interview one week and were chasing them the next for an update. The chances are that they are interviewing for a number of weeks and will shortlist/pick someone at the end. Chasing so soon with multiple calls shows a bit of inexperience, or desperation, or might worry them that you are a pain in the ass - none of which help your chances.

[WolfAir]

Terminator X said:

Probably just want to keep their options open. If they don't tell you no they can always say yes so perhaps some silver lining there?

TX.

I wish. I dont mind a no, at least then I have some closure and can focus on other things, its the not knowing and waiting that is the killer. Thanks for the cheer up though

Sy1441 said:

Was made redundant in the summer, applied for maybe 200 jobs since then (retail middle management) and had no contact back from at least 75% of them.

I am very sorry to hear that, I have been fortunate enough to always have a job (apart from when I left a job) even though the one I have currently is slowly killing my soul because I have been stuck in the same position for 3 years, no support from management nor any scope to learn skills.
I hope you found a job after 200 applications, I have barely sent 100 and I'm like this.

Tribal Chestnut said:

Send in an absolutely stonking CV under a different name. Get interview, call 5 mins before to make excuses due to an emergency. Be very apologetic and rearrange, either for something early or late (a little outside normal hours). Call just before to say you're running 30 mins late, then don't show at all. Then call the woman the next day and say it was you that messed them about and it's just a taster of what's going to happen if they don't employ you.

hahahaha well at least this cheered me up

TurricanII said:

I normally advise asking the employer at interview: "when are you looking to make a decision by?". Then you know when to follow up for feedback.

It sounds like you went for an interview one week and were chasing them the next for an update. The chances are that they are interviewing for a number of weeks and will shortlist/pick someone at the end. Chasing so soon with multiple calls shows a bit of inexperience, or desperation, or might worry them that you are a pain in the ass - none of which help your chances.

I haven't been for an interview, I just sent my cv with a covering letter. I have thought the 3 days of ringing the company would p*ss some people off, although this persistence has worked for me in the past hence why I do it. But I think that may have been due to different environment and job.

P.S Also shoutout to ROG007 who kindly had a look over my CV a while back and gave me some excellent pointers. Think I will have to save those pennies and get a full consultation

[iphonedyou]

WolfAir said:

I haven't been for an interview, I just sent my cv with a covering letter. I have thought the 3 days of ringing the company would p*ss some people off, although this persistence has worked for me in the past hence why I do it. But I think that may have been due to different environment and job.

P.S Also shoutout to ROG007 who kindly had a look over my CV a while back and gave me some excellent pointers. Think I will have to save those pennies and get a full consultation

To be honest I think it's fairly unusual to call for feedback on the basis of CV only, without even having attended interview. I'd say it'd be a rare company that offers feedback for a CV alone. Imagine how many they receive?

[TurricanII]

I'll add my other generic advice to job hunters: Try and find a company (that is NOT advertising a job) that you feel you'd be a benefit to and then find out the MD/owner/workshop manager's name. Send them a custom letter and CV. The letter should explain how you can benefit their company.

When you apply for an advertised job you're obviously one of many CV's in a pile. When you approach directly you are often the only CV on the decision makers desk and the direct approach shows initiative. Good luck!