There is a fine line between showing interest in a position and being overly aggressive. Recently, I called a candidate who had sent me her resume for a medical sales position in Atlanta. After I had left her a message, she called back, but unfortunately I was on another line. So she tried again. And again. And again. Now I usually get back to candidates very quickly, but in this particular case I had to leave the office to conduct interviews. By the end of the day, she had called 22 times! The next morning, the phone started ringing at 8AM and continued until noon. Another 11 times!
Look, I understand a candidate’s eagerness in finding a new position, and I am more than willing to help, but this was a big turn off. It smacks of desperation, and recruiters get very suspicious of candidates who are so desperate that they violate the norms of business behavior. We cannot feel comfortable in presenting such a candidate to our client because we never know if that candidate will engage in the same manner during the interview process- and that reflects on us.
Recruiters and hiring managers want to interview and hire confident, successful candidates who give the impression that they are in demand- not someone who is groveling for a position. So here’s some advice. Leave a message maybe once or twice, and maybe send an e-mail with the time(s) you will be available. We will get back to you. Keep in mind while it is good to be eager, it is not good to be overly aggressive.
By the way, that woman who called 33 times? She wasn’t interested in the position.
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