Desperate For The Phone To Ring

The word desperation means a state in which all hope is lost or is absent. It’s sad to me that people feel desperate alot in the midst of a job search. Desperate for the phone to ring, desperate for the interview, and desperate for a job offer. Let me say that I understand that there is a need to make money and to take care of responsibilities. I know that is part of the reason that people feel desperate in this market, however I don’t believe that you will get a job any faster by allowing desperation to creep in.

Here is the question I responded to today that got my brain thinking about desperation:

Question:

I have been interviewing with a company over the past 2 weeks. I interviwed with both an HR rep (who at the end of the interview handed me an employee benefits package) and the woman who I would be directly assisting, the Editorial Director. At the end of my wonderful interview, the Editorial Director said that “You’ve had a very succcessful interview, you’ve presented yourself very well..I would like for you to meet my Design Director and Exec Asst to the President next week…probably end of June we will let you know something.. please let us know if you’re interviewing anywhere else…” I haven’t heard from them since, I sent both thank you notes and and update at the HR lady’s request. I’m concerned that I haven’t heard from them, my career counselor suggested I follow up on Monday or Tuesday (today is FRIDAY). I also noticed the posting has been removed from their website–although it’s still posted to the job boards. Does this mean they’ve lost interest? Will I seem depserate if I follow up although things have been going well?

My response:

I need a little more information before I can answer your question. First, did they agree to get back to you at the end of May or the end of June? Your comment says June, so I just want to be clear about that point.

Second, are you currently interviewing with other organizations and did you tell them you were interviewing with other organizations? If you said yes, and that is correct, there is nothing wrong with that. The reason they want to know that is because they have interest in bringing into their organization and they don’t want to drag their feet and lose you to another organization. If you told them you were not interviewing with other organizations, than they don’t feel as much urgency to make the decision and extend the offer. If they told you they would get back to you by the end of May and they have not, you will not look like you are desperate unless you sound desperate. If they made a commitment to contact you, than you are taking initiative by following up with them and getting a status on your candidacy. Call the Editorial Director. Get to her, not her assistant or the HR people. You need to hear from the person you will be working for. When you call, let her know that you are following up with her, “I am calling to follow you with you about the appointment to meet with the Design Director and Exec Asst.?” You want to use the words she used in your last conversation. You should be able to assess from the conversation if they are still interested in bringing you on board.

I want to address the your feeling of desperation. If this is the only job you are pursuing right now, you have placed yourself at the mercy of an organization, rather than creating options for your self. Whether this company is still interested in you or not, get more job opportunities in your pipeline. What if you get to the next meeting and decide you don’t want to work there? Maybe you don’t like the Design Director, you never know. Give yourself more options! The feeling of desperation goes away when you get to choose what you will do, rather than waiting for someone else to decide.

I don’t like feeling anxious about anything. I love peace, and I look for it in the midst of challenging storms in my life. I fight for peace when desperation and anxiety try to creep in and I dare you to do the same. We make bad decisions when we are desperate. We make bad decisions when we are anxious, feeling hopeless and helpless. I submit to you today that you don’t have to feel desperate in the midst of your job search. Get more job opportunities in your pipeline. Keep talking to people, keep responding to ads and don’t stop looking until you get the offer you want.

Image Credit: sxc.hu