Waiting is hard to do. And we’re getting worse and worse at it.
We are so used to getting results NOW that asking us to be patient is like, well, expecting us to wait for a web page to load. As if! About 32% of us will give up on a slow-loading page within just 1 to 5 seconds, according to studies.
Expecting instant results is the new normal
We stream TV shows on-demand, we use apps so we don’t have to wait for a cab, or even for a Starbucks coffee. And when we send an email? Sure, we might tell ourselves that we won’t hear back right away, but deep down, we feel like we should.
Studies confirm those feelings. A 2016 workplace study shows 70% of people actually expect a response from coworkers within four hours, and about 30% expect a response within one hour.
At TalentWorld we get how difficult it can be to wait to hear back from a recruiter.
We also know that many take it personally when a recruiter doesn’t email back and that’s a terrible thing since it’s definitely not personal.
No news is no news
When a recruiter has news, they will reach out. And remember, not everybody is working on the same urgent timetable as you. A hiring manager at a company, for example, could get busy with a lot of different things and end up pushing interviewing candidates for a position lower down their to-do list.
Tips for when you’re not getting an email back
Be open to opportunity: Whenever you get a call from a recruiter with a possibility of work, check it out even if you’re not sure. You could be pleasantly surprised. We know, we’ve seen it happen so often! Also, remember that a contract or a temporary placement could be a good for right now option.
Good relationships are a two-way street: Your recruiter wants to help you find work. And if you can ever help your recruiter, in turn, by referring someone who may be an excellent candidate for a certain type of opportunity, you’ll earn their appreciation.
Apply each time you see a position on our job board: Every single resume received by TalentWorld is read by recruiters. You can be sure of that. And we do keep resumes on file. Still, we expect, more than that, we urge you, to always look at our job board and submit your application to each job that interests you, every time you see one. You do need to be proactive.
Remember, people read but don’t always respond: Keep your recruiter up-to-date, check-in every three weeks or so with a very brief email to let them know you’re still available. But don’t fret about a reply. You can be sure the recruiter will definitely read it, take note, and answer if they have an opportunity for you.
Stay active and stay looking: Working with a recruiter is one way to find a job, but as the saying goes, many roads lead to Rome. Networking is hugely important so dedicate time and effort to it. Almost 50% of opportunities happen through networking. If you don’t have a lot of contacts, work on making some by joining associations, volunteering, etc.
Recruiters are not therapists: Recruiters’ expertise is in finding the right people for a particular job. So stick to work-related topics and don’t try to make them into a shoulder to cry on or a counsellor, in person or by email. All recruiters truly appreciate how frustrating a job search can be, but to do their job they need to focus exclusively on your skills, experience, and strengths.
Stay positive: Attitude changes everything. It’s an important job-hunting strategy to let go of negative thoughts and keep up your optimism and your confidence up, because that makes you a much better candidate – not to mention a happier person.
And while you are waiting: check out our job postings on TalentWorld, to see where your talent can take you.
