eclipsedriver

I applied to a job I really wanted about a month ago. They finally called me back last week (Monday 8/8) and left a message. She said they would like to see a writing sample and to call her back. I tried, but I got an answering machine and decided I'd wait to call the next day. Well, it seems they really wanted that writing sample, because they called back at 8am the next morning (Tuesday) with instructions of where to send the sample article to.

I called them back that night and left a message saying I'd fire it off as soon as I could. I sent it Wednesday night. Anyways, I haven't heard back yet and I'm wondering if I should call back to comfirm they received it (similar to a resume follow-up call)? I know it's only been less than a week, but would a follow-up call be a good idea?

It should be noted that the woman who called me back said that she'd forward the e-mail to the recuiter, so I wouldn't be calling the recuiter themself, but the one who does the forwarding (and who called me). I don't know if that matters or not.

Thoughts and opinions?

Xeen

I think followup calls are always very very good.

__________________
http://www.resirem.com
extensiveness in a random sort of restricted way. *shrug*

eclipsedriver

Thanks. Now I've never done a followup call before, so what's a good way to say it?

"Hi [name], this is eclipsedriver, you called me last week regarding the Writer position. I just wanted to check in and see if my writing sample was received?"

How's that?

Also, should I ask when they might know of who they're going to hire?

mammamaia

sounds good to me... it's not being pushy, just making sure the email didn't get lost in the ether, as so often happens...

as for your second question, the wording makes no sense, but i get your drift... i don't know if that's a good idea... if the person you speak to on the phone seems friendly enough, i'd try it... but if they're kinda formal and uber-businesslike, i wouldn't...

good luck!

love and hugs, maia

ps: btw, what kind of a job is it?... and with what kind of business?

pps: re "Hi [name], this is eclipsedriver..." you're surely not using your forum name when you call, are you???

__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com

"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

ooghost1oo

Don't just talk to the secretary. Find the name of the person you need to talk to, and ask to speak to that person. Don't be submissive, either. If you think they have the power, they'll walk all over you. Consider yourself selling your services to them, not them dangling a job before you, not you hoping they'll see your qualifications and give you the job.

Don't worry about what to say; just be a real person, and be relaxed. Talk to the (department head/boss/hiring manager) like you're his equal.

Don't leave messages. That way, if you don't get an answer, you can call as much as you like without looking like a pest. Block your calls if you have to (in case they have caller id), but call back until you reach a live person.

Definitely follow up.

eclipsedriver

Thanks for the advice, but how would I find the name of the person I need to get a hold of, without seeming pushy, or nosey?

ooghost1oo

Figure out how the company is laid out. If you've been dealing with the recruiter's personal assistant this whole time (which is what I assume), call the office's switchboard, or talk to another secretary. Call anyone except the woman you've been talking to this whole time. Ask them for the name of the (whatever kind of writer) recruiter or hiring manager.

From then on, once you have the name, you can call and, instead of announcing who you are and why you're calling, blah blah blah, and gettings screened, just ask "Is so and so available?" If, when fishing for the right person (assuming this is a big company), if you get to the wrong guy, ask him who it is that can help you, who should you be talking to. And remember, don't leave messages. Just ask when he'll be in and say you'll call back.

Etc. Etc. Just fish around, and as long as no one knows or figures out who you are, you don't have to worry about looking bad.

Then again, you could just call that woman and ask her straight up who the guy is, but you might get handled.

When dealing with big companies, the only way to rise above the stack of papers sludging their way through the 'process' is to take control. Tactfully. Sound confident. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of them getting around to you. Remember, you're not asking them for a job. They're bidding for your time.

eclipsedriver

Very insightful post ooghost1oo, thanks a lot for the details.

Just two more followup questions if you don't mind, 1) Might the Recruiter themselves be taken back by me getting their name/number and 2) What should I roughly say? (ex- I just wanted to confirm you got my writing sample?)

And you're quite right that this is a big company.

Thanks again.

ooghost1oo

You've got the idea, kiddo.

I'm sure you'll do fine. Don't worry about 'taking people aback.' Corporations like people with balls; they're used to groveling. Be cool.

(For the record, guys, I haven't dealt with publishing companies before, but I've navigated through plenty of big companies and bureaucratic bullshit.)