Respond!

Q: I am a supervisor and have been hiring for a number of entry-level positions for a company south of Boston. We call and email candidates. They take their time getting back to us and then seem irritated when we have already move ahead with other candidates. Can you tell candidates who have submitted a resume to pick up their phones, clear out their voicemail inbox messages and to check their emails, even over the weekend? Some candidates take 2 to 3 days to get back to us and we already have candidates on our schedules to be interviewed.

A: I agree! It is probably my number one pet peeve on the candidate side of the recruiting process. A common complaint from candidates is that they feel there is a “black hole” when submitting a resume. However, on the employer side, employers can get easily frustrated when a candidate is unresponsive. Candidates should be checking voicemail and email daily, if not several times per day, even on weekends. Some recruiters will have the quiet time to reach out to candidates on weekends and it is always helpful when a candidate replies in a speedy manner. A full voicemail inbox is beyond frustrating! Unless there is a some type of family or personal emergency, a candidate should do their very best to return an email or a voicemail within 24 hours, if not sooner!

A prompt reply to a company’s voicemail or email demonstrates serious interest and a sense of urgency. “This is important to me!” is the message a candidate is sending to a prospective employer! A delayed response indicates that other matters are more important.

With cell phones, most of us can retrieve emails and voicemail messages quickly. Using technology wisely is smart with respect to a job search.

Candidates – you heard it here!

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.