Hi Guys

I'm currently in England and applying for work in BC, AB and ON...

I applied for a job a number of weeks ago.

2 weeks after the closing date I dropped them an email to ask if they had shortlisted etc and they sent a nice reply back saying they liked my application a lot, and that they were in the process of shortlisting and would be in touch...

Another 2 weeks have passed and I've heard nothing...what would you do? I don't want to be 'THAT' guy, but equally I don't want to be forgotten about!

I would recommend being THAT guy. Chasing up is essential, if you have contact details in their initial response I would ring and speak to someone or call and ask to speak to HR. I generally did it all by email but wished I had picked up the phone.

At my 6 month progress review I was told by both managers that they wished I had been hired earlier (it took 6 months) and 'why didn't you hassle us?'.

This might sound like an odd question, but what would I say?..

I would say that it is normal for companies in Canada not to contact you unless they invite you for interview. I find it hard to take (being accustomed to the UK version of 'thank you for your application but you have not been shortlisted on this occasion') - but the majority of firms do not reply at all, unless it is to ask you to turn up for an interview.
That being said, I don't think you can do any harm by being pushy and following up yourself - if you are the only person who is contacting them, they will remember your name

It is frustrating!

I've applied for over 80 jobs and rarely hear anything back - despite being more than qualified for every role...I know that's easy to say on an internet message board - but I have 13+ years experience in my role, in both the UK and Canada and great references...

I'll drop the guy an email now and see what happens!

Thanks for the replies.

You have to strike a balance between being seen as keen and being seen as pushy. There is no hard and fast rule.

I have found that many Canadians don't like to tell you that you have been unsuccessful. Especially people who are not trained in the hiring process. Not hearing back from them generally means that you did not get the job. On the other hand, recruitment processes can take much longer than the UK so a few weeks is not that unusual. As a job hunter you don’t wait around for the employer, just keep on looking. If the employer misses out on you because you found another job in the meantime that is their lookout.

If you have emailed them once before then I would call this time. You will get a much better feel of the real state of play in a phone conversation. The etiquette is not to pressure people – keep it light, polite and professional. You never know who the person you are talking to knows.

Have you read all of the Wiki articles on Job Hunting? This one may be useful as it gives you info on what to say - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Hiring_Culture

Good luck.

I just whizzed the guy over an email

They filled it locally this week - but 'think I could add something to their company so will bear me in mind...'

I hear this a lot - I don't know whether to post a or a - never mind eh

Keep trying, sounds like you'll get there in the end.

Best of luck.

Quick question, but how old are you? I've seen you've been over on a WHV before, is another one not an option? I'm guessing not, but just thought I'd check as it would obviously be easier to get that elusive job offer if you're already work authorised.

I'm 30...but my girlfriend is 33...

I'm not sure what the best course of action would be?..

+1

My wife was shortlisted down to the last 2 applicants by a well known global financial co in Toronto. Even then, they didn't bother to tell her that she didn't get the job! I find that incredibly rude.

Do remember that the reason you don't hear from many of them is because your IP is flagged up as being from abroad. Careerbeacon for example blocks any foreign IP addresses...