So....I'm looking for a job and have a question about etiquette

[IndyJones]

Hey all, I've just got a quick question and am interested in your take.

So...I'm just looking for a little part-time gig so I can put some more cash in the bank. I saw a posting that looked good (location, hours, compensation) and e-mailed out my resume. The employer responded quickly and we actually sent a total of 9 e-mails the next day making sure that the details of the position would mesh with my current schedule.

Everything seemed to be going well, and she informed me that she was out of town but would like to schedule a time to meet up once she got back to Chicago and settled in. So she e-mailed me a week later and reiterated the details we'd discussed, and said, "I'm really interested in meeting with you." I e-mailed her back the days I could come in for an interview, and...Nothing. It's almost two weeks later and I haven't heard back.

I don't want to come off as needy - and I'm really not - but I'd like to get moving on this or move on. And honestly, she sent me six e-mails in a day while on vacation and now leaves me waiting 2+ weeks?

So....I've waited long enough that I can e-mail again to check in, right? I have a phone number too, should I use that or will it come across as pushy?

Ack! Thanks for reading this, and I look forward to reading what you think.

 

[O'Dib]

I think the next time you contact her should be via phone. You will likely reach voice mail, so figure out what you plan on saying in advance, so as not to sound too awkward. She's breaking all sorts of etiquette there herself, so I don't think a phone call is too pushy. It's possibly even the initiative that's needed to get the ball rolling again. As an aside, do you overthink everything to this point?

 

[PurpleLady]

Actually, since your initial correspondence was via email, I'd go that route again because when people return from vacation they have piles to make their way through. Your email would allow her to answer at her leisure. She knows you are looking for a part time job and your email should say something like "I hate to bug you, but I really need to start looking elsewhere if you don't have a part time job at this time." Just my two cents.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I would say send another email, and if you don't get a response within 1-2 business days, call. It shows initiative on your part. It doesn't make you look needy, just explain you have other prospects and you're checking up on all of them to see where things stand. That's totally professional and not at all out of line.

 

[propita]

Any chance her emails got deleted?

Right now, yahoo has screwed my inbox emails, deleting everything over 1 day old. Wtf?

 

[sojourner]

^Not sure I would want to work for a company that uses yahoo for corporate email.

I would call at this point, leave a voicemail if you don't reach her personally, then followup with an email 1 to 2 days later.

I wouldn't say "hate to bug you", you'll just put that in their mind. Just say something about "being interested in an update on our prior conversations concerning scheduling an interview".

 

[marillion]

At this point, I would call.. You've corresponded enough by email at this point.. A friendly "check-in" call is not out of order at all..

 

[RoJoHen]

I would call as well. Although, honestly, if it's already been over two weeks, the position may very well be filled.

 

[SicOne]

I would find out where she lives, what she drives, wait until she's in the office, then hide under the car until she comes out to go home. Pop up quickly, unexpectedly, and ask her about the job. Wear a ski mask for bonus effects. A pair of sunglasses under the ski mask will help ameliorate the effects if she sprays mace or pepper spray. If she runs, well, that's why you brought the Tazer; additionally, it will quiet her down enough to allow you to get in word in edgewise against the screaming.

 

[SicOne]

^ Ooh, ooh, almost forgot...prior to all of the above, over a period of two days and at random times thereof, place a call to 911 from the parking garage, then time the police response. This will give you a rough average of how long it will take authorities to respond to a emergency call from any meddlesome bystanders, and allow you time to refine and make your "elevator speech" to her while she's laying supine from the Tazer while still giving you time for a fast getaway.

After all, this great and glorious advice would be utterly useless if you are not given the job, n'est-ce pas?