Why doesn’t a company call back as promised?

Eve Tahmincioglu • Profile • E-mail

The questions I’ve been getting from readers lately have a lot to do with workers’ perceptions of themselves, and how the job market is supposed to work.

Well, many of those perceptions are often wrong.

Some of you think you’re too old to change careers. Others are worried that getting a job is all about having the perfect look. And still others think companies should have some set structure when hiring.

Well, time for a little “Your Career” reality check.

Here are some of your questions:

I began my job search last summer. As a recent graduate, I went to a college fair in February figuring it was my greatest hope. I talked to about 20 different companies and submitted my resume. Many of the companies that had indicated open positions didn't have any. There were about five still with hope. Of these, I have only had contact with two. One of them I spoke to verbally. The person I spoke to asked me to call back in two weeks if I hadn't heard anything from them. I did, and I haven't heard back.

What I am most frustrated with is the fact that they promised a certain time and failed to meet it. Why do companies make timeline promises and then fail to even keep the candidates in the loop? Is there a guideline as to when and how often candidates can follow up?
— L.B., St. Louis, Mo.

If only there were some hiring playbook that all job seekers could get a copy of. IT DOES NOT EXIST, especially in this economic environment.

The hiring managers I talk to don’t know what they are doing from one day to the next, and many are even wondering if their own jobs are secure. They are inundated with resumes and are walking a tightrope of needing to hire more workers but not having the money to do so.

You should follow up with e-mails and phone calls, but try to think logically about what’s acceptable. Try not to become a pest.

Stop worrying about how they do what they do and concentrate on your job search. Are you choosing the right companies to apply to? Do you need more experience or extra training to make you stand out?

I was recently laid off from a job as an engineer due to a downturn in the electronics industry. I am around 50 with excellent career credentials and a passion for my work. My problem is that I broke two front teeth, which will need dentures to correct. I do need to be careful about speaking, as the missing teeth affect my speech mildly when I don’t concentrate. I had the dental work scheduled, but the layoff came just before I was to get the work done. Now, I don’t feel that I have the financial resources to pay for the dental work until I am working again. What can I do to minimize this fault?
— C.T., Binghamton, N.Y.

Trying to hide the broken teeth and not treating them could end up doing more harm than good. If the teeth are broken on the gum line, you could end up with an infection, warns Carol A. Wooden, an Atlanta-based dentist and spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry.

Many dentists realize the economic hardships today, says Wooden, so you should contact your dentist and discuss working out a payment plan or trying some less expensive, temporary alternative.

Also, dental schools often offer low-cost treatment since dental students are providing the care, she adds. But it can take a while to get an appointment.

Another option is a dental clinic in your area, she says. The best way to find those is by contacting your state dental association or society.

If a quick solution doesn’t materialize, you need to be confident when you go into an interview despite the broken teeth because hiring managers will pick up on your self-consciousness.

“The first sale is to sell yourself, if you really believe in yourself,” says Ann Latham, president of consulting firm Uncommon Clarity Inc. “A lot of people have permanent defects worse than that. Don’t be preoccupied with it.”

You can bring up the teeth issue during the interview, she adds, but only if an opportunity arises. Don’t force it.

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