Employers and recruiters receive hundreds of job applications every day. Once they have reviewed the resume, they call the selected candidates for an interview. And once the interview is over, the employers often say they will contact the applicant.
Now, there could be any number of reasons why employers might say they will call the candidate. But the fact is, as soon as they say this, the applicants look forward to a call with a lot of hope.
Understanding the meaning behind what employers mean when they say they will call you depends on many factors and the circumstances around the recruitment procedure. It is up to you to decide what you make of it and who has spoken to you.
Sometimes, employers call back the applicants, and a new world of opportunities opens up. Hence, it is a good sign when they say they will call you because it does mean they are interested in taking the hiring process further with you.
However, it is also important to remember that there are other candidates in the running. Their telling you does not indicate that they will offer you the position.
Hence, you must keep preparing and performing well till you get the job offer, and the phone call can act as an incentive. Here are some other things to keep in mind.
What Can Be the Reasons When an Employer Says They Will Call You
There can be several reasons why an employer says they will call you. Especially after they have gone through your resume or conducted one or two interviews. Here are the possible reasons.
- Your employers are polite. In some cases, the employers simply say this as a mark of politeness, especially if you have spent considerable time interviewing them. Whether they finally decide to select you or not, you can expect a call from them, and they will tell you if they want to go ahead or not.
- It could be a general response. Receive a template email saying you will get a call after an interview. Your Employer will send the same email to all the candidates. It is more of a general response, and you may not get the call.
- Your employers might say they will call you only if they decide to go ahead with the hiring process with you. In such cases, you will likely get the call within one or two days.
What Should You Do If Your Employer Tells You to Expect a Call?
Even if your Employer tells you they will call you, you must use the time productively instead of only waiting for the call.
For example, a lot depends on the timing of the call. If your recruiter says they will call you after an interview, you can use the time in between to clarify any doubts you may still have and ask them when they call.
Moreover, since you are still unsure whether you will get the job, it is best to use this time productively and keep applying to other organizations. If you get a call saying you are not hired, you will still have different options to fall back on.
How Can You Expect the Employer Will Call You?
You can look out for certain signs to determine whether the Employer will actually call you after the interview like they said they would.
- The interview was long, and the interviewer seemed impressed.
- You were told in detail about the job position.
- The interviewer’s body language showed they were impressed.
- You were told what to expect in the following stages of the hiring process.
What Could Have Happened If the Employer Did Not Call You?
If the Employer told you they would call you but did not, it could mean they have decided to go ahead with another candidate. If they do not contact you for a week after the interview, it could mean they will not pursue you anymore.
However, sometimes, there are too many prospective candidates, and the Employer might need more time to make up their minds and finalize the candidates for the next round of interviews. But if they do not call you within a fortnight, they might not contact you, and you can move on.
How Long Should You Wait Before Calling Your Employers Back?
Following up to show interest in a position after the interview is a good idea. If the employers told you they would call you but didn’t, you could wait for about five business days before you call back.
You can tell them that you were told to expect a call, but since you didn’t, you thought of asking. In most cases, the employers will tell you why you didn’t get the call or will tell you they are still considering candidates, and you may have to wait for a few more days.
In any case, you should not just wait during this period to do nothing. Keep applying to other organizations to use the time in the most fruitful way possible.
If your Employer makes up their mind, they will reach out to you, but you will not feel despondent if this does not work out.
How Do You Follow up If Your Employer Does Not Call?
If your Employer doesn’t call you even after saying they would, you can follow up by sending an email or making a call. You can send the email to the HR team, or you can ask to speak to the person who conducted the interview.
Be very polite and professional in your tone, whether you are writing an email or speaking over the phone. Do not express any resentment on not getting a call. Tell them you completely understand that there could be unavoidable delays and you were just eager to know what happened.
Sometimes, the employers will tell you to wait for a few more days. In other cases, they will tell you they have hired someone else. In such cases, thank them for their time, and you can move on to pursue other opportunities.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Phone Call from Your Employer?
You should perform so well in the interview that your Employer does not say it but means it when they say they will call you back. And it should start from the interview process itself. Here is what you can do.
1. Make an Impression
It would be best if you created an excellent impression on your Employer from the moment you walked into the room. That does not only mean that your technical knowledge should be on point, but you should also have good body language and excellent communication skills.
Dress well and speak confidently. By the time you leave the room, your Employer should be genuinely interested in considering you for the subsequent phases of the interview round.
2. Show Your Interest
Instead of just answering what you are asked, try to have a good conversation with your Employer during the interview. Ask pertinent questions about the organization and your role, and talk about why you think you will be a good fit not just for the designation but also for the organization.
You can talk about how the organization matches your sensibilities and why you want to join the company. Showing your interest will make the employers remember you.
3. Follow-Up
You can follow up after your interview within a day or two and send an email thanking them for the opportunity. You can also mention that you are looking forward to the phone call. This will further consolidate your interest in the organization.
Bonus Read: 14 Common Phone Interview Questions and Best Answers
How to Respond If the Phone Call Does Not Go as Planned?
Another scenario is that your Employer might indeed call you like they said they would. However, it could be for entirely different reasons.
You may have been waiting for the phone call as an affirmation that you would be hired. However, they might call you to tell you, you were not and they have decided to go ahead with someone else instead.
Or, even if they called you with a job offer, they might reveal certain details about your pay package. It is about relocating that might make it impossible for you to accept the offer.
In such cases, it is vital to keep calm. Do not accuse your interviewer of not revealing the details at the time of the interview or when you applied. You must also not try to sound desperate and immediately start negotiating the terms.
Instead, tell the person who called you that you would think about the terms and get back to them in some time. Then, please make up your mind and reach out to them with your decision.
It is also essential to keep a very patient attitude while waiting for a call from your Employer. Please ensure you are reachable but do not go overboard when they make the call. Answer the call politely and thank them for reaching out, no matter the message.
Conclusion
A lot can depend on the Employer and the workplace code of ethics when your Employer says they will call you. It is essential to take it at face value and not to read too much into it unless you have been offered the position.
Placing too much hope on one phone call may make it difficult for you to get over rejection if that’s what you finally hear from them. Instead, cultivate a positive frame of mind and ensure that you are using that time productively when you wait for the call.
Soon, you will hear not only one but multiple employers telling you that they will call you as soon as possible. You start applying to various companies. And you will indeed find the job you are most excited about.
