So I'm hitting the ground running trying to get out of my security job. I've had a couple of applications where I gave it a few days but then they'd already hired someone. Today I'm hitting three places, a couple of service advisor jobs and a technical writer job for a gym equipment manufacturer. I applied for all three yesterday. The tech writer job isn't listed on the company website but on LinkedIn. What's the consensus on the time between application and stopping in to talk with the manager? The only reason that I ask is that a month ago I applied for a junior service advisor for a dealership and was told to stop by on Friday morning, which I did. The service manager knew my previous dealership boss, but he hired a guy the day before. Thanks.
How long from application to meeting manager?
- Thread starter 97prizm
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Sounds like you're shooting at moving targets.
Unless there's some widely known method, I'd guess you should follow up (that's what you're doing, yes?) in a timely manner.
Unless there's some widely known method, I'd guess you should follow up (that's what you're doing, yes?) in a timely manner.
In my experience (so take this for what it's worth - about a penny), it loosely correlates positively with company size. The larger the company, the longer the application process. When I sold cars at a Honda dealership, I was hired on the spot. Turned my application into the SGM, the GM asked to meet with me before I left, and I walked out with a job offer. It was a smaller store, about 30 employees and less than 8 sales reps. I work for a company now that has over 100k employees. I submitted my resume on a random day in March and did not hear back. After a week, I figured I wasn't selected and honestly, I forgot the position I had even applied for. One day at the end of October that year, I got a call asking for an interview for that posting.
Obviously, those are two extremes, but it is really difficult to estimated how long it will take. I would say two things: 1) if a company has a position open, they want to fill it sooner rather than later in the vast majority of cases, and 2) watch out for "phantom" job postings. If you haven't heard of phantom job posting and want to depress yourself for a while, give that a google.
Obviously, those are two extremes, but it is really difficult to estimated how long it will take. I would say two things: 1) if a company has a position open, they want to fill it sooner rather than later in the vast majority of cases, and 2) watch out for "phantom" job postings. If you haven't heard of phantom job posting and want to depress yourself for a while, give that a google.
We have about 1000 employees. Applications go to the HR recruiter who will screen them. Pass a few to the hiring manager and either the manager or HR will conduct a phone screen. Then, if you get past that, they'll bring you in for an interview. Higher levels need to give a presentation. We joke that none of us old-timers would get hired. About 50% of our employees knew another employee from a previous job.
I applied for a position and interviewed soon after. They said they liked me but didn't have anything for me at the moment and they'd keep me in mind if something came up. About 6 months later they called me.
There are tradeoffs. One of the jobs I applied for looks really neat. They made commercial gym equipment in Broomfield CO. It's for a techical writer job. I have 99% of what they're looking for except not much CAD experience. They started out with two brothers and their friend in 2022. They now have 100 employees. Companies like this are tough as employees may wear many hats, but have the potential to become huge. My dad's boss' sister started at Amgen way back in the day when they were a tiny company. She received alot of stock and they grew. She's now a multimillionaire.
Sometimes you have to be a pest to initiate a conversation.
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If you're like me you'll never to see the manager. I finally gave up and went out on my own.
I was a pest using paid for direct messages to person who placed ad on linked in. I wrote a very brief but strong / confident reason why they wanted me on certain jobs and got the interview.
I was told to come back Friday to talk with the dealership manager at Mercedes. I may stop in again to see if I can get ahold of the hr manager about the technical writer job.
I've reached out using messaging on LinkedIn but not many respond.
Interesting you say that. I did meet with an old guy who owns a Ferrari repair shop not too far from me that told me that. He had a Ferrari 512bbi which is one of my favorites. He told me "what do you k ow about it?" I told him what I knew and he said "wow you know more than most people... not everything but alot". He said I might have a job you'll really like and be good at but need a Ferrari Tech first.
Even though this thread is a couple of months old, anyone looking to switch jobs right now is probably dealing with this exact same headache.
Waiting three to five business days before following up by phone is usually the sweet spot for direct applications. Showing up unannounced as a walk-in can occasionally work in retail or service departments, but more often than not, it just catches busy managers off guard and rubs them the wrong way.
To bypass that frustrating guessing game entirely, skipping direct applications and going through a specialized agency makes a world of difference. Working with professionals like SCOPE Recruiting means the interview gets locked in for you automatically, so you don't have to stress about missing the window or getting ghosted before you even get a foot in the door.
Waiting three to five business days before following up by phone is usually the sweet spot for direct applications. Showing up unannounced as a walk-in can occasionally work in retail or service departments, but more often than not, it just catches busy managers off guard and rubs them the wrong way.
To bypass that frustrating guessing game entirely, skipping direct applications and going through a specialized agency makes a world of difference. Working with professionals like SCOPE Recruiting means the interview gets locked in for you automatically, so you don't have to stress about missing the window or getting ghosted before you even get a foot in the door.
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Better dress to the hilt and smell nice like @AutoMechanic
Personally I don't like all of that..
Know what you're selling and we're good.. Good Luck....
I applied for a service advisor at a local Toyota dealership as well. My neighbor sells cars there and recommended me. The service manager knew both of my previous boss'. They ended up pulling a service advisor from another dealership.
