hennypotter:

step 1: find an advertisement for a job.

step 2:  send an email [or fax when available] with cover letter and resume.

step 3: after a few days [usually 3 or 4 depending on my level of excitement],  call to follow up. to make sure they received info. to ask if the position has been filled.

step 4: cry when they either don’t answer and never call back even when you leave a message or tell you the position has been filled.

are follow up phone calls a good idea or are they just annoying?

Follow up calls are always a good idea. I wouldn’t have my current job if hadn’t followed up. I called after I sent in my resume and that got me an interview. A follow up after that got me a return visit. And a follow up call after that got me the job. In my opinion, follow up calls show persistence and initiative.

I know all the rejection is disheartening, but look at it this way: the people who find your persistence annoying are probably not people you want to be working for in the first place.

Keep it up and Good Luck!