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Home > Blog > Full Archives > September 2009
THE FOLLOW-UP: Is it the Missing Link in Your Job Search?

You’ve been on the internet for weeks applying for jobs. But you never hear back from employers. Or maybe you had a great interview last week. You’re anxious to hear about the job, but there hasn’t been a response from the hiring manager.

 What should you do? Follow up with each employer. Find out if the job is still open or if it has been filled. Once you know the situation, you can take one of the following actions: cut your loss and move on; reconnect with the employer about the specific position or others you are qualified for; or request a second interview to reinforce your interest in the position. 

 What should you say in a follow-up? When following up regarding an online application, your message might be something like:

My name is John Jones. I applied for a medical billing clerk position posted on your website on August 15. It is now August 30, and I have not received a response from you. Please let me know if the position is still open, or if the position has been filled. If the position has been filled, I assure you that I’m still interested in working at name of company or organization).

Thank you for time. I would greatly appreciate a response.

When following up regarding an interview, your message might be something like:

Thank you again for interviewing me for the medical billing position at (name of company or organization) on August 15. You thought a hiring decision would be made within two-three weeks. Since that time has passed, I would like to know if the position has been filled. If so, I assure you that I’m still interested in working at (name of company or organization). Please keep my resume on file and contact me for any position for which I’m qualified. If the position is available, I would be happy to come in for a second interview to review my qualifications with you.

Thank you for time. I would greatly appreciate a response.

Why should you follow up? It demonstrates that you are a serious and persistent job seeker. It puts your name in front of people who are responsible for hiring again. It eliminates false hope about jobs that you think are still “possibilities.” You will know that you have done all that you can to reach out to employers. This will give you confidence to be assertive and determined in your job search.

Good luck !

This week's WORKPLACE Wednesday is Résumé Critique. The workshop on October 7 is Job Hunting Tips & Techniques.  Both workshops are in the Skyline Room at the Parkway Central Library at 6:00 p.m.

 

Tags: WORKPLACE

Posted by Paul S. @ 1:37 PM View Comments»
Workplace Tips

Hi there! Paul Savedow here, your go-to librarian for career resources. I am the head of the Education, Religion, and Philosophy Department in the Parkway Central Library and run WORKPLACE Wednesdays, a weekly program that can help you create and improve your résumé, search for new jobs, and help you figure out a new career path. Each Wednesday this fall, WORKPLACE Wednesdays will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Parkway Central’s Skyline Room on the fourth floor. Free of charge, the programs are designed for adult job seekers and feature advice on workplace topics such as career decision making, writing and critiquing résumés, job hunting tips and techniques, interviewing skills, and computer and internet resources. Tomorrow's program will address creating and improving your résumé.

To complement WORKPLACE Wednesdays, I am proud to introduce a new blog on WORKPLACE tips! Every other week, I will be blogging about need-to-know topics like company and industry research, the role of professional organizations in career choices and job searching, employer expectations, federal government career resources, and more!

For a sneak peak of the services available at WORKPLACE Wednesdays, check out the video below and watch Tracy Davidson interview me about the variety of valuable resources and services we offer!  

 

  

Free Library from Tracy Davidson on Vimeo.

 

You can find me here next week for your first dose of WORKPLACE tips as I blog about following up on job applications and interviews. Until then, happy job hunting!

For questions, you can call the WORKPLACE at 215-686-5436.

By Paul S.

Tags: WORKPLACE

Posted by Shannon G @ 2:49 PM View Comments»
2010 One Book Author Visits Parkway Central Tomorrow!

I know, I know. Tomorrow’s free lecture with Marjane Satrapi, author of this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia featured reading selection, has been on your calendar since we announced the selection last week. But just in case it slipped your mind—or perhaps you lost your planner—tomorrow is your only chance to see Satrapi live in Philadelphia for the 2010 One Book program period!

A humorous and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during a time of political revolution, Satrapi’s The Complete Persepolis is the first graphic novel chosen for One Book. Accompanying children and teen reading selections will be announced during tomorrow’s celebration, which begins at 7:30 p.m. The event is free, so be sure to arrive early and get a good seat! And don’t forget to stick around after the lecture—Satrapi will be autographing copies of her book!

The 2010 One Book program period officially begins on January 20, and in the coming months, we will discuss chapters of The Complete Persepolis right here on the blog. Stop by and share your thoughts!
 

Posted by Shannon G @ 12:26 PM View Comments»
Breaking News - Legislation to keep libraries open passes!

Just minutes ago, the Pennsylvania State senate passed bill 1828 by a vote of 32 to 17. For all of you who have been following the saga over the city's budget crisis, this is indeed the legislation that was needed for the City of Philadelphia to avoid the "Doomsday" Plan C budget scenario, which would have resulted in the layoff of 3,000 city employees and forced the closing of all libraries. 

We are enormously grateful to everyone who advocated on our behalf. More than 2,000 letters to state legislators were collected from our libraries, and countless others made calls and sent emails underscoring how important public libraries are to the economic, educational and social life of our city. We also thank our incredible library staff, who despite the threat of imminent layoffs continued to provide excellent service to the thousands of people who use one of the 54 libraries in our system.

 

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Posted by Kathleen @ 4:26 PM View Comments»
Telephone numbers for Supporters to call

If the Pennsylvania Senate does not pass House Bill 1828 by Friday morning, September 18, the City of Philadelphia will issue layoff notices to 3,000 employees, including most of the staff of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The latest word is that the Senate may meet tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss and possibly vote on the bill. But it also may be delayed until next week.

As news of the possibility of the entire library system shutting down on October 2 spreads to a national audience, we are receiving calls from people all over the country (and some from overseas as well), asking for the contact information of our legislative leaders so that they can call them and urge a vote on the bill on Thursday. Here are three highly requested telephone numbers for the senate leaders and the governor's office (none are automated during the day—they are answered by a staff member).

Dominic Pileggi (R), Senate Majority Leader:  (717) 787-4712

Robert Mellow (D), Senate Minority Leader: (717) 787-6481

Governor Edward Rendell: (717) 787-2500

 

Posted by Kathleen @ 2:26 PM View Comments»