Recruiter Didn't Call Back After I Asked to Reschedule – What Should I Do Next?

I completed the second interview two days ago. Yesterday, I received a call from the recruiter, and she asked if it was a suitable time to talk. I responded, "Can we make it after one hour because I'm driving right now." However, she didn't call back! Weird!

Your reply was perfect and wise. Well, she only knows the reason why she didn't call you back. I suggest you call her and get yourself updated.

With profound regards

As pointed out by Mr. S. Khadir, you should call back the recruiter if you are still interested. It is unfortunate that most people do not remember to call back.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai

Yes, you can call back. The recruiter must have forgotten; it's better if you remind them. 

One more thing I would like to add after all the responses you have received is that you must change your attitude, perception, and learn when and how to react. As she called you back today and you are happy with her response, you must not forget that you need to learn from it on how to have control over yourself and work with patience.

Your answer to her was appropriate, but you lost control and reacted, finding it weird when she didn't call you back as per your expectation or requested time. What would you like to say about it?

Do you feel that recruiters are sitting out there only for you or one candidate only and keep calling you back whenever you want, otherwise the situation can be called weird? You must have respect for your recruiters who are providing you a chance that you never want to lose instead of showing frustration. If she didn't call you back, it doesn't mean you are authorized to treat it like this instead of calling her back. Maybe, during that time, she got another candidate and was busy with tele-screening or other work that didn't allow her to call back after an hour as requested by you.

Your reaction says a lot about you, and I am really surprised that none of the single members here highlighted this to you, which I believe is really important for you to know for your career and professional life. This is not a small thing, and it made me feel like highlighting it to you once.

HRJeena, Mr. Khadir has also indicated the same, but there was nothing like a realization of your mistake in your response (#5).

@V.Raghunathan Hello, there is nothing like "Unfortunate" if a recruiter, in need of a candidate, forgets to make a callback if a suitable candidate is not available at that time. Everyone has to move on with their occupied work and had to finish it instead of waiting for one, and I believe she did the same. Also, it is self-explanatory how suitable the profile of him was for the recruiter and according to their need/interest when she called him back today.

Hope I have made myself very clear to you all.

It's part of good manners to call back a person who called you. However, you chose to play ego games, and in the process, you lost a few points. Remember, good manners are as important as your qualifications, so be cautious next time! All the best!

I have gone through your views and would like to share my thoughts with you. I need your views again in response to my opinion below.

Of course, it's a part of good manners to call back only if we have missed a call. However, they had exchanged messages with clarity, leaving no room for confusion or doubt. I would be glad if you could elaborate more on EGO GAMES as you mentioned in your post. I would like to understand in depth your perception. It's just my study to understand the HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR as I am fond of studying it. This will also support me in adding more information to my training module on EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS as I can take this as a case study. Kindly consider my request.

To my knowledge, he sought permission to continue the discussion after an hour due to prevailing circumstances. It was the responsibility of the recruiter to consider his request and call him back. If I were the candidate, I would never have a teleconference while driving.

Another point is that he didn't say he would call her back. Again, it is the responsibility of the recruiter to call him back.

It is not fair on the candidate's part to call and inquire about his status, which depicts as if the candidate is eager to grab this opportunity. A candidate should never reveal his weakness.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

With profound regards,

I second Mr. Anil Arora. Most of us lack patience. Under such circumstances, we are habitual of reacting to the situation rather than responding to it. The only reason why we react instead of responding is a lack of positive mental attitude, self-confidence, and stability. It is a fact that none can predict their future.

Our emotions must be stable irrespective of the prevailing situation. Since we all have noted a change in your emotions and behavior, we have shared our best views/opinions. I request you to study your behavior and emotions, compare them with our views/opinions, and share yours.

With profound regards

Checking back with the recruiter after one hour seemed like a good option. Since the time has lapsed, I would like to check if you have called back and what the result is. One more thing, learn and move forward. Maybe there is something better planned for you. Also, ignore comments that demoralize you.

Guess Anil Arora is a recruiter :). Well, my friend, it seems you are losing your patience. Each role played by an individual in an HR department, or any department for that matter, is different.

For my friend who didn't get the call after an hour, whether it's your first interview call or you are an experienced person, make sure to call them and close it. At the end of the day, you are the one who will choose whether to join or not if selected.

You have brought out some valid points regarding controlling emotions and the need to have patience. However, your comments on my posting as ‘there is nothing like unfortunate’ is a moot point. I feel my message is simple. If the candidate is interested, he should call back. That is what I wrote in the first line.

The recruiter not responding is unfortunate because it is her job. Obviously, she was not extending any favor to the candidate. As you rightly pointed out, she might have forgotten amidst her other tasks. It happens to all of us. However, forgetting does not exonerate one from one's responsibility. It is good that she called later when she remembered. It is possible that the recruiter might have also tried to play a waiting game. When the candidate mentioned that he could be called after an hour, had the recruiter responded that the candidate could return the call after an hour, she would have completed her part of the communication. Since she didn’t respond to the message, it is understood that she agreed and would call after an hour.

Yet, fulfilling a commitment is a part of good manners, as rightly observed by Amina. So “All is Well that Ends Well.” The recruiter must have found a suitable candidate and the candidate a job of his liking. The Cite HR Team members also had a healthy exchange of ideas!

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai

While going through all the responses, I can understand that different people have different opinions. I was not surprised to see your thread. I too found myself in a similar situation a few months ago where I was in a meeting with the HOD of different departments. I got a call from a recruiter, and she asked me, "May I talk to Ms. Ankita?" I said, "Yes, please." Then she replied, "I am calling from such & such*********." At that time, I was just shocked and not in a condition to continue with her. I said, "Ma'am, I am extremely very sorry to say that I am in a meeting and cannot entertain you. So can you please call me after some hours?" She called me after a few hours.

So, in my point of view, nobody knows what situation one is in (candidate/recruiter). The matter is how diplomatically we handle it. The recruiter is not sitting only for you and keeps calling you back; they have to move on with their list of candidates who have a suitable profile according to their needs. Here, I would like to highlight what Arora sir said: do not lose your control and don't lose your temper. Always hope for the best. You will get what you deserve.

Regards,
Ankita

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” In other words, be willing to help others and share your knowledge and insights with others who may benefit.

I am sorry if I gave any negative vibes to anyone. It's just that I believe you should have returned the call as you were busy when HR called you. The fact that you told her that you don't drive and talk at the same time shows that you are not desperate and follow rules. Similarly, if you had called her saying, "I thought I should call you back as you don't have an idea when I will be done with my driving and be free."