Kaye Monty

It is commendable to show a potential employer just how eager you are about a job.  Candidates can sometimes cross the line between stalking and being diligent.  Here are some examples of stalking:

1. Calling, emailing, texting, DMing etc. to ask, “Did you receive my resume?” – Depending on the company or level of the job opening, recruiters may receive a couple of hundred applications sometimes more.  If you submit a resume, the company should at least acknowledge that they received your resume even if it is only an automated response.  Unfortunately, not all companies even do that.  I personally see and review every resume that gets submitted.  If you are suitable for the job, then you will receive a call.  I will even pull aside resumes of candidates who might be suitable for future opportunities in which case you might get a call a few weeks or months down the road.  Caveat: If you know someone in the company, it would be acceptable to reach out to them know that you submitted your resume.  They will hopefully notify the recruiter of your application who will at minimum review your resume. Depending on company policy regarding employee referrals, hopefully you will at least get a phone interview or an interview.
2. Following up without an appointment. – It is a bit presumptuous to expect that a recruiter is sitting around twiddling their thumbs just waiting for someone to drop by unannounced and expect to be offered an interview on the spot.  Caveat: It is acceptable to drop something off at the front desk such as a resume or a thank you card but do not expect or demand to meet with someone.
3. Contacting everyone in the company. – I once had a candidate who cold called the CEO, CFO, hiring manager and recruiter after submitting his resume online.  Some of these people were not involved in the hiring process.  The ones who were involved were turned off by his aggressiveness and poor judgment.

These examples do not fall in the appropriate category:

1. Following up a week or two after an interview. The recruiter or hiring manager should give you a time line or their hiring process.  If they said that they will call you in a week or two with a decision, then you should follow-up with a phone call or email.  Closing the loop is the least that a recruiter or hiring manager should do after you took the time to interview with them.  Unfortunately, not everyone lives by this code and only contact candidates that they are interested in pursuing.
2. You got rejected for one job but are suitable for another job at the same department or company. If the job is posted online, then apply online.  Send a follow-up call or email to give the recruiter or hiring manager a heads up.  If they feel that you are suitable for the position, then they will call you.

I’m sure that I will add other items to this list. What do you think?