Do seasoned contractors follow up on applications

[aa2006]

I was wondering if anyone else follows up on an application made via a jobsite. For example I sent my cv for a few positions which matched my job skills, once the application is made I don't really follow up. The reason being I like to wait and see if the agent gets back to me, if not then just assume I wasn’t suitable or the job wasn’t actually real.

My last 3 contracts for example have all come from agents calling me back, though I probably did apply to maybe 60-70 positions overall.

Was wondering whether the "seasoned" contractors followed up on their applications?

[eek]

I was wondering if anyone else follows up on an application made via a jobsite. For example I sent my cv for a few positions which matched my job skills, once the application is made I don't really follow up. The reason being I like to wait and see if the agent gets back to me, if not then just assume I wasn’t suitable or the job wasn’t actually real.

My last 3 contracts for example have all come from agents calling me back, though I probably did apply to maybe 60-70 positions overall.

Was wondering whether the "seasoned" contractors followed up on their applications?

I've always operated on the basis of email wait a couple of hours and if no feedback ring.

I don't remember needing to ring that often recently as agents seem to like my CV.

[northernladuk]

To be honest I don't ring and get enough call backs. If you are truely a solid fit for the role I think the agent will ring you unless he has already had enough valid responses in which case I don't think a call will make much difference.

He is paid for getting the right people so as devious as agents are I don't think you will get ignored if you are skilled enough and not too late in to his pile.

BTW I don't normally apply for a position that is more than 8 hours old on a jobsite and if possible within an hour of it appearing. Anything past that then he will have had more than enough responses and I don't think a call will help.

Could be wrong but it has worked fine for me so far.

[Gentile]

I never ring them. If they're interested, and if they're competent, they'll get back to you.

[JamJarST]

I never ring them. If they're interested, and if they're competent, they'll get back to you.

Same here, and to be honest I get called by agents without even applying these days.

[Barley]

I always follow up an online application with a phone call for roles that are particularly attractive, if its more of a speculative application I dont usually bother.

I think following up is essential, yes you may get a call back anyway but I imagine within an hour of a role going live the agents had 100 applications.

By phoning I get have a chance to explain my skills, make it clear that im capable, articulate a good match for the role and answer any questions. Id rather that than chancing whether he/she gets round to looking at my CV among the many chancers that no doubt apply.

Lastly you're more likely to create an impression, and if you dont fit that role there may be others as yet not advertised?

Its a no brainer really.

[tractor]

...

Don't waste your money, just be quick on the ball when a suitable role comes up. Make sure you have effective alerts set for that reason.

[Barley]

Don't waste your money, just be quick on the ball when a suitable role comes up. Make sure you have effective alerts set for that reason.

Quick on the ball no doubt counts to a degree but if your an agent that put up new role at say 10.00 then spent the morning in meetings your more likely to entertain the candidate that calls to speak to you and clearly meets the criteria than wading through 100 CVs in your inbox.

Its a basic sales job in my opinion, youre selling a high value commondity, no salesman in their right mind would just send out flyers and not follow them up with potential key clients.

Im not really worried about a few pounds worth of phonecalls if it means securing a £200k contract.

[mrdonuts]

absolutely, make sure you call the agent about 4 or 5 times for each application you make, persistence is what counts

[Scoi]

My agents usually contact me about roles and if it sounds promising i will follow up. I always wonder why they haven't asked for an interview when i'd be an ideal fit and its a contractors market at the moment for me. Found out last week that an agent who called me about a role left the next day and my CV wasn't submitted, if i didn't call i would have completely missed out.

It does get annoying as I always have to endure the sales pitch for another role when I call but that's better than not knowing who I am or whats on my CV. I think regular contact keeps you high on their list.