How To Follow Up With Employers?

Samson asks: I have been working on this issue with at least a few of the employers that I have applied to in the last two months, but it has not been too successful. Need suggestions on how to handle with an employer particularly when they state "Please, no phone calls about the job" as it is usually seen with almost all job leads from Craigslist. Of the few times that I have called to ask for a certain person or to speak to the hiring manager, they ask why are you calling about the job and/or they answer with that no phone calls are supposed to made to inquire about the job.

In answer:
Here's the problem form the advertisers perspective:

1. the main reason not to accept calls is the sheer number of CV/Resumes received, with literally 100's of CV's and Resumes to review. Positions need to be filled under time limitations, so Recruiters/HR professionals must be as efficient as possible.

2. With efficency in mind, employers will include all the basic information a candidate should need, eliminating the need to call

3. Most good employers have a great website. This gives active and bright candidates - ie, the people they want to employ - a wealth of information available to them about the company and what it does do. This means that employers are already pre-qualifying candidates in the application process. They want to know that you can do research online, that you can understand their business model, and that you can ask good questions when they do call you. Employers don't want to hire someone who does not take the initiative to learn about them before they apply for a job.

Your resume should speak for you. If an employer calls you for an interview, then expect them to answer all your questions then. Following up an application before they call you with a phone call when the instruction is "not to call" can signal the employer that either you're too desperate, or you don't follow instructions - or both: but you are certainly not for them. And not one single employer I know wants to hire those kind of employees.

Yes, sometimes you have to make a leap of faith, and good practice should mean you get a "thanks but no thanks" letter - but with all of the information available on the web, it should not be a leap made in ignorance.

Good Luck!