How to follow up when a company basically tells you not to?

[runningbird]

There is this company I really want to work for but as soon as I applied the HR manager emailed me back saying 'thank you, I have your information and will contact you if anything becomes available'. I usually call to ask if my information has been reviewed, but since this question would be superfluous is there something else I could ask?

[wellbeing]

I wonder if there's a particular division or function that would intrigue you or best use your abilities. If so, would it be possible for you to learn who some of the decision makers are in that division?

From there, you could explore whether something like an informational interview would be feasible/appropriate or some other way of establishing a personal connection with these decision makers. They may be more open to your follow-ups, particularly as you develop and become an even more attractive candidate for whatever openings occur. These decision makers often have a greater stake in having the best candidate fill positions than do HR managers.

Best of luck to you!

[spirit4711]

I agree with Wellbeing.

BTW, did you apply for a specific job or was it a general application? In the first case you just have to wait and (if no reaction) call in a week or so. In the latter you might call the HR manager, and ask if new vacancies are expected soon. And that you would really like to work for their company (I guess you wrote that too in you application), and ask his/her advise: would it be smart to wait a bit for a vacancy to come up?

[ssandra]

You can call him just to say thank you for the fast reply, that you really appreciate it.

After that, just let him know that you will wait and are willing to commit to a first interview even when there isn´t a current opening.

In person you can sell yourself a lot better.

Good luck.

[runningbird]

These are all great tips. Thanks fellow stevepavlinians.

[Chris Cade]

If you haven't read "What Color Is Your Parachute?" then do so ASAP before you submit any more resumes or applications.

[Dot]

Runningbird, the HR manager is not "the company," and, in fact, HR managers aren't even in charge of hiring. The people in charge of hiring are the project managers and department heads.

Find out who is the top person in the department where you want to work. That's your contact. That's the person you need to let know, in no uncertain terms, that you really want to work for their company. Tell them why. Tell them what you could bring to the table.

Ask them when you can start. : )

Keep at it. Send them wine, flowers, thank you notes. Whatever. Land a helicopter in their yard and hand them a resume. Buy them a Ferrari. Do whatever it takes to get noticed and stand out from the crowd.