Handling the Waiting Periods in a Job Search

A job search in general can be a mentally stressful experience. But most people will agree that the waiting can be the worst part. That period of silence after you’ve submitted a resume or application can be excruciating.

Worse, you often feel helpless, wondering what you should do now. But you need to tread carefully, because a wrong move at this point can kill your chances before you even land an interview.

This article shares some tips on what you should do during this waiting process. One big rule: don’t be a nag. It’s okay to do a quick follow-up to show your interest, but there’s a fine line between persistence and being a pest, and you don’t want to cross it. One quick email is best—as opposed to a phone call, where you may put the hiring rep on the spot or interrupt them at an inconvenient time.

Now, if you have gotten an interview, things are a little different. At this point, it’s okay to ask for an update after a reasonable period of time.

And if you’ve received another offer, you should let this company know, especially if you want to give them the chance to counter-offer. (And of course if you decide for some reason that you’re no longer interested in the position, you should let them know right away so they don’t waste time considering you.)

How do you handle the waiting process during a job search? Share tips in the comments.

Image courtesy of tlr3automaton