Is there an average time that it takes a company to contact you after submitting a resume? Also, is it standard practice to call someone that has submitted a resume and let them know that they are not interested? The last job I applied for that just required a resume took a month before they called back and offered an interview. This is a state job however, I think it would be just as slow. I just hate sitting around, and its the best job I have applied for so far. I would hate to take some crappy job and have them call me a week after I start too.

I wouldn't know...noone ever responds to mine.

state jobs take forever to get interviews on. Sometimes it can be several months.

Dola... pardon my horrible syntax in the last post.

I agree with Cam. It takes a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngg time to hear from state jobs. Good luck though.

I used to call one week after I sent my resume just to check that they received it. That also allows them to let you know that you follow your job applications.

Been in the same company for nearly 4.5 years now, so I don't know if that still applies.

Whenever I talk to someone/drop off a resume I always ask what time frame they have for setting up interviews and how long they expect to take reviewing my resume(with more tact than that but you get the idea). I use that as my guideline as to when to call the company back and see if they are still hiring/have looked at my resume etc etc.

I don't think there's an "average time" at all. Some places are very fast to respond, some take awhile.

My current job I interviewed for within 2 days of turning in my resume, was told the very next day "we want to hire you" but it took about 6 weeks before they actually offered me a job because the company was losing money and cost cutting and re-negotiating their deal with the consulting company I was working through and all kinds of things I didn't know about at the time :) And of course, once they took 6 weeks to offer me the job, they tried to pressure me to start the very next day(I had to give a 2 week notice at the old place, etc).

Originally posted by CamEdwards
state jobs take forever to get interviews on. Sometimes it can be several months.

Well thats what I figured. Ive applied for several state jobs so far. But this was the first job that I didnt fill out an application for. Its almost like an intership, even though it doesnt say so. But the job description says that they will work around you schedule if you can start before the summer, which I let them know.


Another question raised, Is it okay to e-mail the employer, ask them if they have recieved my resume, and ask them if they have a timeframe for reviewing resumes' conducting interviews? I sent the resume in through the mail if that matters.

Originally posted by Airhog

Another question raised, Is it okay to e-mail the employer, ask them if they have recieved my resume, and ask them if they have a timeframe for reviewing resumes' conducting interviews? I sent the resume in through the mail if that matters.

Unless you were already corresponding through e-mail I would suggest calling them instead. But that's just my gut feeling there is a huge set of ettiquette surrounding this stuff that I know nothing about.

I agree with what has been said so far. You want to walk that fine line between showing them you are eager and excited to work for them and badgering them.

The rule I have gone by in the past is I will send in a resume and usually call within a couple days to just make sure they have received it. Then if I haven't heard anything in a week I will generally call them again just to get a status on the situation. If you dont receive a call after that then they probably have gone in anotehr direction.

I don't have any experience with state jobs though so it might be different. Following up with them after you have sent your resume isn't a bad thing though. It shows you are persistent and really want to come work for them.

Originally posted by Radii
Unless you were already corresponding through e-mail I would suggest calling them instead. But that's just my gut feeling there is a huge set of ettiquette surrounding this stuff that I know nothing about.

Actually, there has been no correspondence. All I have done is snail mailed them my resume' cover letter and writing sample.

Also the job listing does provide an e-mail address, and a phone number. however it doesnt give a name as a contact person.

well against the advice of some, I decided to send an e-mail.
I will keep everyone informed :D

About 3 years ago I faxed a resume to the Hollywood Video corporate offices in Wilsonville OR. A week later I got a form letter saying that they weren't interested in me at this time but thanking me for the interest and it had a free rental coupon attached. The next week they had their ad in the paper still, so I faxed 'em again, same thing. This went on for about 2 months. Each week I would fax them my resume and a week later I would get a letter and coupon.

Eventually I got a call from them and they invited me in for an interview. The managers I talked to didn't seem to know anything about me or the coupons and I didn't tell them. They invited me back for a second interview. During the interview, they talked about hiring me and the benefits they have. I asked about rental discounts and if I would still be allowed to use coupons. They laughed and said that I would not get to use the coupon and the 50% discount at the same time. then they asked why I would ask about that. Without thinking I pulled out my wallet and showed them 4 of the coupons, they had no idea that the company was doing that and were actually disapointed that they hadn't seen my resume during the 2 months I had been submitting it.

A few days later I received a job offer from them, accepted it and ended working their for about 6 months before moving elsewhere for $5 more per hour. I might just send my resume over there again, just to see what happens.

haha, well that lifts my spirits. I got a letter from the place I applied for today. They said I had the experienced, but there were a number of qualified applicants and they are unable to offer me a job at this time.