Job-Hunting: Are You Scaring Recruiters?

Playing a Stalker

A common complaint I hear people make about recruiters is that they don't get back to candidates in a timely manner, if at all.

"I have been swamped by requests from job seekers for the last 10 weeks," said Woodland's Warriner, who receives dozens of voice mails and hundreds of e-mails from candidates each week. "In this market, candidates should expect the response time to be longer."

That's not to say you have to wait weeks and weeks for the recruiter to contact you. If you've submitted your resume and haven't heard boo, give it a week and then call or e-mail them. If you can't get through, wait another week and try again. And if a recruiter has sent you to interview with one of his or her clients, give it at least two or three days before you inquire about any news.

Related

Negotiating Your Salary: Who Flinches First?

Job Hunting in a Layoff Economy

Politics at Work: Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

"Don't be the candidate who calls and hangs up on my voicemail once every five to six minutes for over an hour," said one San Francisco recruiter who wanted to remain anonymous. "My voicemail has caller ID, and I've returned to my desk from a meeting to a mailbox full of these."

Likewise, don't e-mail multiple times a week to ask if any jobs have opened up when the recruiters have already told you that they list all the new openings they get on their Web site.

Some may argue that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But try to see it from the swamped recruiter's point of view: If you're continuously interrupted by the same person every day for weeks on end, will you be excited to work with them or more inclined to move them to your e-mail blacklist?

Pulling a Blagojevich

If a recruiter calls to tell you that you didn't get a job for which you've interviewed, express your disappointment if you wish but keep your cool.

"I've had candidates reply to a polite rejection e-mail with "F*!#^ YOU!" or "You are making a huge mistake!" said the anonymous San Francisco recruiter.

Recruiters receive new job listings constantly, so you want to stay on their good side. Don't get branded as the hot-headed candidate no employment agency wants to put in front of their clients.

Remember that professional experience is just one part of the job-hunting equation. Likability, flexibility and perseverance are just as important.

This work is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News.

Michelle Goodman is a freelance journalist, author and former cubicle dweller. Her books — "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube" and "My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire" (October 2008) -- offer an irreverent take on the traditional career guide. More tips on career change, flex work and the freelance life can be found on her blog, Anti9to5Guide.com.