You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
—Kenny Rogers, 1978
The subject comes up daily on the part of candidates about how long they should keep pursuing an opportunity when they don’t hear from the hiring authority… and I have to admit that even as a professional recruiter since 1973, I’m never quite sure of when to keep pushing or when to “fold ’em” and move on to another deal…
I often think that candidates give up too easily and stop calling or e-mailing a prospective employer too soon.
I know it gets frustrating to think that you are being considered for a job or told that you are being considered and then never hear from anyone..It is an emotional strain more than anything else…
So here is what I recommend… never take it personally …it is simply a business deal… most of the time they don’t back to you when they say they are going to isn’t because of a personal issue with you, there’s a lot more going on than hiring… now I would call and leave a message as many as 10 or 12 times… e-mail 10 or 12 times… being proactive…
Make the phone calls very nice and the e-mails very nice… never get mad or angry ..after that if you don’t hear from hiring authority then I would tell you to “fold ’em”…
In case you haven’t caught on already, the hiring process never goes as fast as people tell you it will… by gently and nicely reminding them of your candidacy by email and phone… encourage them to call you back, but don’t take it personally when they don’t… just remember to be nice…when they call you back you will be pleasantly surprised
