Hello Community,
I would love to hear some experiences or insights related to the following situation: about two months ago, I submitted an application for a role in a company that is doing incredible work in the solar industry. It's perfectly aligned with my skills and experience and it would be an amazing opportunity to help grow something that is very important to me. Two weeks ago I received an email from an HR assistant asking for availability for a phone interview. I submitted the information and then...nothing - no reply. After 5 days, I sent a brief follow up to confirm they received my submission and I still haven't heard back. This is the first time I've had to look for a job since 2003, and I'm unsure of the appropriate next steps. I've considered reaching out to someone in the local office (the company is based in California, but the role would be in North Carolina). I've also considered just sitting on my hands and waiting it out. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation who could provide a suggestion as to the best way to proceed?
Thanks in advance for your insights!
Hi John:
The dreaded "radio silence" is indeed an unfortunate reality in the modern job search. It is frustrating to go from initial contact to being "ghosted" with no explanation.
While there is not much you can do to force the hand of someone to reply back, there are some steps you can take to ensure this isn't simply a matter of your communication not reaching the intended recipient.
Check your spam/junk folder. Make sure responses from the potential employer are not landing there instead of in your "inbox".
Make sure YOUR emails aren't landing in the junk mail folder of your contact in the organization. If you are using an email service provider that is not one of the big 3 "Gmail, Yahoo, or MSN" you might be getting sent directly to their spam folder. Try sending your email from a different email address.
Maybe an old fashioned telephone call will set things right. I know in this day and age everything is done via email, but if that is failing, see if you can get through to the recruiter on the phone.
Try to connect with the recruiter, or a company representative through Linkedin.com. If you do not have a profile there, create one and send a connection request to the HR representative of the company and attempt to communicate through the Linkedin platform. You may also want to connect with other employees of the company as well.
If you do all this and still are met with radio silence, then step away and consider it a loss. The least they could do is let you know they aren't interested, but in this day and age, that courtesy is going the way of the do-do.