how soon after a closing date can i contact an employer?

[o8sp]

i applied for a job that had a closing date of 2 weeks ago. i have heard nothing and was wondering how soon i can contact them to ask if i am shortlisted or why not if i am not?

[xrayspecs]

You can contact them as soon as you like! You'll either come across as keen, or pushy. The sad fact is that many employers don't have the common decency to reply to candidates that they don't call for interview. With large companys the selection process can be extremely drawn out. Think about this. The HR resourse will sift the applications a day or so after the closing date. One of two things will then happen. The HR dept will either call a selection for a first interview or, more likely, the department heads involved in the recriutment will want to see the entire range of CV's for themselves and then decide on a list for interview. All this discussion can easily take two or three weeks before letters are sent out.

[acorn]

We used to say 21 days after closing date if you havent heard then you didnt get an interview or shortlisting. But as xrayspecs says you can ring and inquire at their human resources department to see if your letter has gone astray.

Exrayspecs - its not always a common curtesy thing when not replying. A lot of large firms just dont have the time as they are constantly getting new positions arising. Most carry a disclaimer stating that no disrespect is meant should you be one of the unlucky ones.

[Top Turkey]

Certainly in my organisation (employing some 4500+ staff), the application forms get sent to HR who then make them available to the recruiting department for shortlisting. The forms then go back to HR and they invite the shortlisted people for interview. So, depending on how popular the vacant post was, two weeks is probably nothing to worry about.

You could just call them and simply say that you are looking to book some annual leave in the next month or so and wanted to make sure that you would be around for an interview.

HR probably wouldn't mind as they are largely just administrators who very rarely make any decisions on recruitment.

Cheers.

TT

[xrayspecs]

acorn - I agree it's not always a curtesy issue. if the advert states that if you haven't heared by a certain date then assume you were not succesful, the unsuccesful applicant can move on. There is closure. However I maintain that with even the most basic data base a letter can be generated to send out to unsuccesful applicants. It should be part and parcel of the HR depts routine.

[o8sp]

Thanks for the replies. i got a rejection letter through today.

[jennifer_cro]

Even though you have received your letter don't be afraid to call and ask for feedback, I am always happy to provide this in my role.

I really resent the comment that HR are largely just administrators who rarely make decisions though! Working in HR we face comments like these on a daily basis and are constantly trying to prove ourselves in order to demonstrate that we add value to the business, of which one of the ways is by making recruitment decisions!

Sorry, I'm off my high horse now!

[Top Turkey]

Jennifer - sorry if my comments were out of place - I was just relaying my experiences. In my organisation, all decision making on who gets shortlisted and interviewed is done exclusively by the department where the vacant post is based. Our HR simply do the administration and send appropriate letters out. They don't even help with interviews anymore.

I was just making the point that 'phoning up to ask about progress on an application probably won't do any harm as it is not the HR person who decides who gets the job.

[jennifer_cro]

No worries TT.

I think it varies depending on the company. Like you say most companies should be willing to provide feedback anyway.