Q. I'm an experienced graphic designer who is currently out of work and it seems as if my professional life has taken a downturn. I have had about seven interviews in the last seven weeks and six of those were for graphic related positions. For some of these prospects I've had second and third interviews and nothing has panned out. I go in, I do my best and then I follow up two days later, thanking them for the opportunity, et cetera.
Then comes the waiting, which is awful. No e-mail, no phone call, nothing. Is the trend now to ignore a candidate even after they've met all of the criteria and had a series of interviews? I just want a yes or a no, but I don't get either. I just get silence. Days turn into weeks and there is still no answer. So I try to persevere. There is no other alternative. I put myself out there again and again only to come to the same frustrating conclusion.
I'm beginning to think they've forgotten about me, or they just assume that their silence is telling enough. What steps can I take when I get another interview to guarantee that this opportunity will pan out? How can I make sure that I get noticed and get treated with the same respect as I've shown these potential employers? I'm tired of being ignored. Am I asking for too much money? Did I come off as rude or aloof? Was my portfolio not good enough (although I've had several professionals compliment me on my work and my skill set)? Or is it the economy and bad timing that seems to make things so much more difficult?
I'm just looking for some guidance, maybe some advice. I'm trying not to give up but it's incredibly disheartening when you get such great feedback in an interview and then the only thing that follows is silence. I just want an answer, is that too much to ask?
This is shabby and disrespectful treatment. I hope some of the editors who act this way have read your question.
I know you don't expect me to tell you what is not working; everything you mention is possible.
Let's start with some perspective. If your work is good enough to get you weekly interviews in this lousy economy, you must be doing some excellent work. Always remember that.
The silences you're encountering could be because the interview did not go well, the position evaporated or you are simply one of the first people in the interview process and they want to talk to others before they decide.
There is no way of guaranteeing that an opportunity will pan out, or even that a rude employer will behave decently, but these are some strategies. Save them all for the end of the interview:
- Ask where they are in the selection process and when they expect to choose their candidate. (Employers should not reject people until they have made the hire because they may find that the offer gets declined and they need to go to a second or third choice.)
- Ask to know who, by name, will be your point person on this and how they should be contacted, whether by phone, e-mail or whatever other means and at what times of day. The better you pin them down on how they want to be contacted, the harder it should be for them to ignore you.
- Finally, without sounding needy, say that you are in a transitional period where you are really trying to ramp up your career and it would help you immensely if you could get some honest feedback on the interview. When you get it, listen and do not argue or get defensive. Even if you disagree with it, pay attention to see if people are misreading you somehow.
Remember: more than half a dozen places like your work well enough to interview you. I think you're going to get something.
Coming Wednesday: This reporter admits to a rocky start and is worried by a job posting that looks like it might be for his job. The editor has told him not to worry, but he is -- very.
