how to follow up after job application?

[Ms.RN]

I know this is a stupid question but how do you follow up after fililing out job applications? I filled out job applications online and when I call the hospital, I dont want to sound too desperate or be too demanding about my job application status.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

You could call, however most hospitals pretty much tell you not to call, eg "Don't call us, we'll call you". Some even get huffy about it and actually will tag you if you do not follow the rules that they might have put in small type somewhere. You will find that it is not worth all the preliminary worry as nobody is going to stop what they are doing to find your resume and do a phone interview on the spot. Oh, and one more thing: You will feel like you talked to the biggest moron on this earth if/when you talk to HR. HR usually is the first "live" :pntlft: :rotfl: contact. Try not to laugh or hang up on them.

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

I applied for a position on line, I waited 1 week to see if they would call, they didn't. I then wrote a thank you letter to them for accepting & reviewing my application. In the letter I repeated some information I had given in my cover letter and also added more information showing my qualifications for the job. I was called (finally) a week later. I am now going for my 3rd interview (hopeing I get the position). The idea is to keep your name in thier minds. If I file an app. in the building, I mail a thank you letter, if emailed - email the TY letter.

[sweetER]

I wait about a week after I apply, call the nurse recruiter (just call the general number and ask for the NR if you don't know their name), and usually get a voicemail. On my message I say, "Hello, my name is ____ _____, and I recently applied for _____ position. I am very interested in this position, and would like to ask you some questions about it. If you could call me back at your earliest convenience I would really appreciate it." I give them about a week and call again if they don't call me back. After two weeks, if I still don't receive a reply, I will call and ask for the nurse manager of the floor I applied to, and then leave the same message on her voicemail. I will call back if she doesn't return my call after about a week. As far as I can tell, this hasn't annoyed anyone yet and managed to get me two job offers as a new grad. I think they actually like it because it shows I'm excited about the job and persistent.