I missed a call from a prospective employer

[icebar]

I missed a call from a prospective employer. They called me like 3 hours ago while I was taking a nap (called just once), and didn't leave any message. I googled the phone#, and I am sure that it was the company I apply for that called me.

Should I call back tomorrow?

I don't want to look too confident, but I'm quite sure they were calling for an interview. Is it okay if I just ask them to the point, like "Hi, my name is... I was applying for ... position. Did you call me yesterday? (duh, it's obvious they called me yesterday) :confused: It sounds a little weird, I don't know how to start a proper conversation... :|

I really need some opinions... and also, I think I have serious problem in doing telephone conversation... I admit I suck at this thing. :(

Thanks in advance

[pupazzo]

I missed a call... and I liked it lol

[ji_hyun_jun]

Hi, my name is ___. I've applied for 'position' in your company and I received a call from your organization yesterday at about _:__, but I was unavailable to pick up the phone at the time, so I'd like to find out what the phonecall was about.

Something along those lines... that way, they'll find out for you what the phonecall was about, and you don't sound arrogant.

it's what I say when I get a missed call from a number I don't know(not the applying for part and everything obviously). I always phone back if I've missed a call, even if it's from a number I don't know... it could be important. =)

[DaVibe]

I'd let an entire day pass and then try on the 2nd day (so if it was today - Monday, then call them on Wednesday).
It's going to seem really strange if you're calling back already ...

[reservoir_dogs]

I'd let an entire day pass and then try on the 2nd day (so if it was today - Monday, then call them on Wednesday).
It's going to seem really strange if you're calling back already ...

Why would that be the case? I'd call them back IMMEDIATELY. To me, that would show that I want this position since I'm trying to get back to them ASAP. By waiting, you risk that the HR representative will move onto the next candidate..

There was one time I missed a call from an employer. I found out about an hour later, so I called the number back. I got their switchboard. Having NO IDEA who the individual called, I went from department to department, finally finding the person who called.. I must say it paid off :)

[faken]

.. Why would you NOT call them ASAP? It doesn't make any sence to me. Just say you were out of the house and you would like to know what the phone call was about.

[DaVibe]

If you've ever been the employer and not the employee, you might figure out why that would seem strange.

If someone was calling my office, looking for me, who I don't even know after I called them once and hung up (and didn't leave a message) ... I'd say that's a little much.

Even though you know who it's from, pretend you don't for the first day.

You call back right away, you'll probably be given the run-around as well ... then you'll be calling when it's inconvenient for them (since they're busy) which is going to annoy them, for no reason at all ... now you're off on a bad foot when all you did is call back.

It's really small, really stup!d but you gotta think this through when you're making a first impression at a new business as a new hire.
As an employer, I'd find it annoying. I didn't leave a message, there was a reason for that.

[bruizeman]

what is this.. a date? playing hard to get? you wait long enough and they will forget about you entirely or get you mixed up with someone else. i got a interview call while i was in a meeting and i called back 10 mins later.

[poedua]

I missed a call from a prospective employer. They called me like 3 hours ago while I was taking a nap (called just once), and didn't leave any message. I googled the phone#, and I am sure that it was the company I apply for that called me.

Should I call back tomorrow?

I don't want to look too confident, but I'm quite sure they were calling for an interview.

Well, if they were genuinely interested in having you for an interview, they'd of left a message - don't you think ?

btw - are you 100% certain that phone number was a prospective employer...or is that just a guess on your part ?

[icebar]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I guess I'll just wait til around 4:30 pm (the time they called me yesterday), then I'll call.

Well, if they were genuinely interested in having you for an interview, they'd of left a message - don't you think ?

btw - are you 100% certain that phone number was a prospective employer...or is that just a guess on your part ?

yes, I'm 100% certain. It is the same number as the one listed on their website.

[poedua]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I guess I'll just wait til around 4:30 pm (the time they called me yesterday), then I'll call.

yes, I'm 100% certain. It is the same number as the one listed on their website.

Why wait ?

The fact they called you at 4:30 pm means nothing.

Call them this morning - or the first chance you get - today.

[jnfr]

If someone was calling my office, looking for me, who I don't even know after I called them once and hung up (and didn't leave a message) ... I'd say that's a little much.

+1

It's really small, really stup!d but you gotta think this through when you're making a first impression at a new business as a new hire.
As an employer, I'd find it annoying. I didn't leave a message, there was a reason for that.

+1

[reservoir_dogs]

If you've ever been the employer and not the employee, you might figure out why that would seem strange.

If someone was calling my office, looking for me, who I don't even know after I called them once and hung up (and didn't leave a message) ... I'd say that's a little much.

Even though you know who it's from, pretend you don't for the first day.

You call back right away, you'll probably be given the run-around as well ... then you'll be calling when it's inconvenient for them (since they're busy) which is going to annoy them, for no reason at all ... now you're off on a bad foot when all you did is call back.

It's really small, really stup!d but you gotta think this through when you're making a first impression at a new business as a new hire.
As an employer, I'd find it annoying. I didn't leave a message, there was a reason for that.

That's a very unique strategy you have there...

But why would it be "strange" and "annoying" if you were the employer? The employer took the time to call the candidate, and was expecting to communicate. Thus, to me, it shouldn't matter if this communication happened an hour or so later.

If the candidate calls 2 days later, it would REALLY show the employer that this may not be a priority of yours, and definitely not the first impression you want to make . As a candidate, you are in the open market for a job, and they know that. Calling them 2 days later may be alright, but definitely NOT the risk you want to take considering your position.

And don't forget that this isn't your future boss/manager that is calling. It's most likely an HR representative. Chances are, they have a PILE of other resumes that they will just simply move onto the next one. If you're just one of the "average joe's", there's really no reason for them to chase after you, and when you call them back, they probably already forgot about you.

[nhui06]

Just call them back and see what is happening. Worst thing is that they let you know job has been filled or you are not being considered, which means you did not get the job. This will be the same result if you do not call back as well. Nothing to lose.

[DaVibe]

That's a very unique strategy you have there...

But why would it be "strange" and "annoying" if you were the employer? The employer took the time to call the candidate, and was expecting to communicate. Thus, to me, it shouldn't matter if this communication happened an hour or so later.

If the candidate calls 2 days later, it would REALLY show the employer that this may not be a priority of yours, and definitely not the first impression you want to make . As a candidate, you are in the open market for a job, and they know that. Calling them 2 days later may be alright, but definitely NOT the risk you want to take considering your position.

And don't forget that this isn't your future boss/manager that is calling. It's most likely an HR representative. Chances are, they have a PILE of other resumes that they will just simply move onto the next one. If you're just one of the "average joe's", there's really no reason for them to chase after you, and when you call them back, they probably already forgot about you.

I guess it depends on the type of business you're in.
When I was calling people and looking to hire, I'd leave my name and specifically leave a message. If I didn't leave a message, it's because I didn't want them calling me back (because I'm going home, because I'm hard to be reached, etc) and I would call back when I see fit.

The same would be true for my aunt who works at Purolator. She'll do her own hiring and put out some calls. If she wants you to return the call, she'll leave a message (if you can't be reached the first time around).
Otherwise, you're returning a call she never left a message for. She's got meetings to attend, her own employees to look after ...
You're right, they've probably forgotten about you so when you call back and have to leave a message that you're returning a call you believe you missed ...

It just seems a little much and in my opinion, I'd be annoyed and I think many other professionals would be.
If you're applying to IBM and the HR department called you, then call back. In most cases however, I wouldn't be calling back IMMEDIATELY.

Also, you're assuming you're going to get someone who knows what's going on. You call a fairly large company, you're going to their main office ... "Yes, I'm returning a call" ... yet you don't know who called you or what it was TRULY about ... you're hired, they want to confirm your references, they want to hear your voice, they're calling you in for another interview ... now you don't know who to speak to you and you're bothering the company. That's how I see it anyways.

[djnorm112]

just call them

gotta act fast.

[DaVibe]

So you guys call back everyone that calls your house and hangs up?
"Yes hi, I'm just returning a call ... someone called me from this number about 5 minutes ago ... oh wrong number, okay thanks"

I guess it's just different thought processes when it comes to returning telephone calls. To me, it's pretty simple since they didn't leave a message, especially if you have an answering machine. Obviously they don't want to be known that you called.

But, you went ahead and tracked them down and even google search the number to find out that hey, it was from that potential employer ...

Great! :lol:

[numnum]

just call them and say, "Hi my name is ____ and I'm calling about the status of the job opportunity for ______ position, I'm just wondering if its still open?" Don't mention that they called you, this way you don't sound like a stalker and you let them know that you're still interested in the position. :)

[brucemeng]

So you guys call back everyone that calls your house and hangs up?
"Yes hi, I'm just returning a call ... someone called me from this number about 5 minutes ago ... oh wrong number, okay thanks"

I guess it's just different thought processes when it comes to returning telephone calls. To me, it's pretty simple since they didn't leave a message, especially if you have an answering machine. Obviously they don't want to be known that you called.

But, you went ahead and tracked them down and even google search the number to find out that hey, it was from that potential employer ...

Great! :lol:


If I applied to a position, or am expecting calls from unidentified numbers, then... yes, I will at least try to call the person back. Why is that so surprising?

[reservoir_dogs]

I guess it depends on the type of business you're in.
When I was calling people and looking to hire, I'd leave my name and specifically leave a message. If I didn't leave a message, it's because I didn't want them calling me back (because I'm going home, because I'm hard to be reached, etc) and I would call back when I see fit.

The same would be true for my aunt who works at Purolator. She'll do her own hiring and put out some calls. If she wants you to return the call, she'll leave a message (if you can't be reached the first time around).
Otherwise, you're returning a call she never left a message for. She's got meetings to attend, her own employees to look after ...
You're right, they've probably forgotten about you so when you call back and have to leave a message that you're returning a call you believe you missed ...

It just seems a little much and in my opinion, I'd be annoyed and I think many other professionals would be.
If you're applying to IBM and the HR department called you, then call back. In most cases however, I wouldn't be calling back IMMEDIATELY.




It seems to me that your entire theory is premised on the fact that the caller did not leave a message.


Also, you're assuming you're going to get someone who knows what's going on. You call a fairly large company, you're going to their main office ... "Yes, I'm returning a call" ... yet you don't know who called you or what it was TRULY about ... you're hired, they want to confirm your references, they want to hear your voice, they're calling you in for another interview ... now you don't know who to speak to you and you're bothering the company. That's how I see it anyways.


If you take a look at my first post in this thread, you will see that I posted a story about your exact situation. I had a missed call, and only knew that it was from Company X. I called them back, only to get to the switch board. I went from the operator, to front desk, to HR, all the way to who called me. Was it a lot of work? Yup. Did I waste some of the people's time along the way? Yeah, maybe I did, but that is their job for the most part.

Overall, I reached who called me, and immediately was given a self-assessment test. So it is possible to trace back who called you, it's just a matter of doing it.

[reservoir_dogs]

So you guys call back everyone that calls your house and hangs up?
"Yes hi, I'm just returning a call ... someone called me from this number about 5 minutes ago ... oh wrong number, okay thanks"


The assumption is that the person who called is an employer for a position you applied for.

If you're looking for jobs, and applied to MANY jobs throughout the week, having a missed call by a number you don't recognize should sound off red alarms.

[playanav]

it depends if you want a job or not.

if you do,

CALL THEM BACK

[DaVibe]

We never heard back from the OP ...

[brucemeng]

maybe he missed another call