Expect everyone to text you? Rarely listen to real voicemail messages? Utilizing voice-to-text or text-to-voice technology to screen your calls (those are some unusual messages)? Well, you are losing out on REAL interviews that could lead to REAL jobs, from REAL companies. While I often write about challenges of the jobseeker, this one is about how people in a job search are creating a hindrance through their use of technology.
If my HR, Hiring Manager, and Recruiter contacts have heard it once, they have heard it hundreds of times… “Oh, I am sorry that I didn’t get your message until now, blah, blah, blah?” The opportunity is typically over, and it is doubtful you get a call back. This doesn’t even count those who never get the message because they never bothered to listen to it. Those that feel the need to text office phones/landlines back and then think the company ghosted them. Then we have the garbled voice-to-text or text-to-voice tech for “screening” calls which offers an unintelligible message. If you are in a job search, you need to stop this practice RIGHT NOW!!!!
In my own work, people who have purposely contacted me know they are expecting a call – not a text. I regularly hear from them that they didn’t listen to the message. I can’t imagine how companies who are hiring feel. Not to mention that a company won’t call you back and follow up, they just proceed to the next candidate on the list.
Don’t be a Ghoster!
You are ghosting them as a jobseeker and don’t even know it, and this error will cost you in future applications with that company. Furthermore, this is the very reason companies aren’t hearing back from many candidates. However, if the company texts you, I hear candidates say it is impersonal (I agree) and they don’t like it. Hmm, yet you won’t listen to a phone message or turn off the goofy screening tech.
Ask yourself this: do you want a job? Are you willing to do what is necessary to get one? That means, listening to messages, and not answering every phone call rudely like you think it is a scammer. No more silly phone messages to greet the caller. If the company rep thinks something weird is going on, or that the message won’t get through – they move on to the next candidate!
Don’t Lose Out!
Don’t lose the job search game before ever getting to speak to someone at a potential employer. Remember, during a job search, there is no such thing as a message that shouldn’t be listened to or email that shouldn’t be read or researched. Never assume it’s a telemarketer, until you verify it. Phone numbers don’t always have a company name attached, and you can lose out on an opportunity with your dream company and job because you ignored a phone message. Now when reapplying to that company, it will be a no-go moving forward.
Avoid losing out on a job or interview; listen to your phone messages and use your real voice to leave messages for others. It could be your one chance to get the job you genuinely want.
Karen Silins is a multi-certified, award winning resume writer, career, business and personal branding coach working with individuals and small businesses. After graduating with degrees in education and vocal performance, she made her own career transition into the Human Resources realm. Karen left Human Resources to become an entrepreneur and help jobseekers, executives and fellow entrepreneurs achieve their goals. She can be reached via her website https://careerandresume.com