Day 31: How technology makes it harder

OK. Here we go...

So, I applied to a job with a local hospital/health care company about two weeks ago. I think I am a good match for this position and would be a good fit. Unlike some of the jobs that looked fun but I had little chance or was a company in California or out of state, this job looked like I had a chance. At this point, I just want to know if they received my resume, if I am being considered, and when (if ever) the company might make a decision.

1. Did the company receive my resume?

This is a job that was advertised online only as far as I can tell and required me to set up a user account on their system, complete an online application form, and then upload a cover letter and a resume to their website. This job and my application are listed in my online "Job Basket". I can see the application when I look in my online job account with this Health Care company, so I have to assume I did everything correctly and would be considered for the job. However, I have not received an e-mail or other communication from the company that my application has been accepted. I still have a nagging fear that there was a "Submit" or "Apply" button on their job board that I had to click to really get my resume in the pile of possible candidates. So, to all those companies out there, please send a generic, automatic response e-mail that just lets people like me know that you received my application. Reject me and laugh at me and think I was ridiculous to even apply, but at least acknowledge that you received my application.

2. Am I being considered for the job?

AT this point, my application is in the job basket, but there is no status update of any kind. The job is still advertised on the website. So now, I can torture myself with the company looked at my application and I sucked so bad they didn't waste their time sending me a rejection letter or maybe the job is open until the 15th of the month but they just didn't post that in their online advertisement, or maybe they have already selected someone and they have been working for a while and just never updated their website. All of these situations have happened to me in the past. I am curious and want to find out more information about this job posting, but the only contact phone number posted with this job is for tech support help if I have forgotten my password or need some other tech support logging n to their website. There is no phone number or email or other contact to an HR person or recruiter or anyone who I can ask my very simple question, am I being considered for this position or has the position already been filled? Is that too much work for a company to provide to a potential employee?

3. When will the company make a decision?

Continuing from the last question, when could I expect this job to be filed and when should I expect an interview? This could be my dream job, but I might have received a job offer that is pretty good from my third or fourth choice company. How long should I wait before I need to make a decision? It is the same choice that high school seniors face with college applications. Do they go to the first college that accepts you or hold out for the college you really want. At least with college letters, they have a deadline to respond back to by this date or you will lose your spot. This job announcement has no dates of any kind. How long should I wait before I say no and take another job?

I know that online applications are supposed to make things easier and more efficient, but I still feel like that is true for the company, not the applicant.

Haven't done much for a while...

Well, my rush to fill out applications and pursue a new position seems to have waned. I don't know why, I still would like to find anew job, but it can be discouraging. I was officially rejected for the first job I interviewed for, but i really didn't expect anything different. I used it as a practice interview so i could work on some better answers to questions I know i will be asked no matter where I interview. The general, "what is about our company that makes you want to work here?" I don't want to sound negative and whiny about my old job, so I need to have a good answer ready to go.

So, what can I do to get myself back on track. I thin the goal is going to be three e-mails or other communication with my LinkedIn network connections and two resumes per day.

I have been wrestling with one interesting question during this search. When do you apply for a job if it is out of state? I saw a job in California that would be a good match. The job title is the same as my current job and it is for a college just like the college that I work for now. My first reaction is definitely apply, but then, am I really ready to pack up the family and move? Even if they offered me a million dollars a year salary, am I really ready to move? OK, for a million dollars a year, I could commute. But going further from that, what should my geographic limit be? Do I adhere to a strict 30 mile circumference from my house or does it depend on the job opportunity. I know, that is something that only I can answer, but for every application I take time to fill out, is time I don't have to fill out others that are kind of a good match skills wise, but much better geographic. For example, it took me an hour to fill out an application last night. I had to fill out the online application for the company, attach my resume electronically, scan my DD 214 form so I could receive 5-point veteran preference and then attach that form electronically, fill in the voluntary demographic survey, and then send it in. That is an hour for a job I think I match about 75% of the skills. At what point do I just say, unless it is my job description without my name on it, don't waste my time.

Sorry, a little on the negative side and some frustration showing through. Tomorrow will be better.