You Applied! Now What? Making the Wait for "The Call" More Bearable

Job hunting is definitely a waiting game. You have to wait to find available and desirable openings, wait until you can find a good time to go in and fill out an application, and then the most dreaded part: waiting for employers to call you back to either set up an interview or tell you you've been hired.

Once you've submitted your applications, there is no sitting back. Here's how to stay on top of your job search process while waiting for the anticipated phone call.

Keep looking for openings. Even if you've applied at two or three companies you'd know you'd love to work at, you never know what else may be out there. Continue pursuing job boards, your local want ads, and asking around your friends and families. When you use more than one way of looking for a job, you increase your chances of finding something desirable and eventually getting hired.

Research the companies you applied at. No matter what job you are applying for, even if it's just at McDonald's, you need to know something about the company. After all, why would you show up to fill out an application if you knew nothing or worse yet, if you wouldn't be able to stand working there?

You will be able to impress your employer if you know what you're getting into. This is also a good way to pass up an opportunity politely if a job doesn't interest you.

Be prepared for an interview on the spot. Sometimes when you go in to drop off an application, the person you give it to may either be a manager, or they will go get a manager to talk to you. Make sure you look your best when dropping off applications even if you're not totally dressed up. Be able to answer some basic questions about your job experience, what kind of position you want, and when you're available to work if you are hired.

Follow up on your applications, especially for the companies you are most interested in. A good rule of thumb is to follow up within 1-2 weeks of applying. When you call, ask for a manager or another person who deals with job applications. Introduce yourself to them, explain when you applied and what position you applied for, and say you wanted to check on the status of your application.

From here, you may be given some information about the next steps in the hiring process. The manager may want to schedule an interview with you or tell you they are still considering other applications. If the latter is the case, ask when and if you can get back in touch.

The key to following up is not to become annoying. Only call multiple times if the manager has requested you to call back. Otherwise, you should call twice at most before moving on.

It can be stressful waiting for calls about your job applications, but you can do something to make the wait less unbearable. A few applications, some mini interviews, and a little persistence may test your patience, but soon you will be on your way to collecting a paycheck.