Help! I missed a call from HR and feel like I've missed my opportunity!

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I am a new grad in the Chicago area and there are NO jobs for new nurses here. I've applied to over 50 jobs probably. Well, yesterday I walked away from my phone for literally 1 minute and 30 seconds to microwave hot water and in that 1 minute- of course a missed call and voicemail from Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It would be like my dream job to work there. The HR woman gave me her name and direct line so I immediately called back and it went to her voicemail. Tried again, voicemail again- so I left a voicemail. I continuously called her for the rest of the day with no answer or return to my message. So today I'm thinking she will call back. She doesn't. I left another voice message at like 9:00 AM. Still no return. I tried calling the general HR line and there's no option to let me talk to someone- only leave voicemails and listen to recordings.

What do I do?!?! I feel like I missed my one and only opportunity and I'm beating myself up over walking away from my phone for 1 minute. I feel like I will never get through to this person and she will give away my position before I have the chance to talk to her.

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Call again!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Definitely call her back, but do not flood her with messages. Leaving one message a day is enough, and even then that may be construed by some as being stalker-ish.

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Yeah I'm debating leaving another one this morning... I feel like I should though and then not tomorrow since its Thanksgiving obviously. I just don't get it, I called her back 20 seconds after she called me and have been trying to get a hold of her since. I just wish I could go back in time and answer that call!

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Specializes in Oncology, Emergency Department.

Just keep trying to reach her. It can be quite frustrating, been there, done that. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Yeah I'm debating leaving another one this morning... I feel like I should though and then not tomorrow since its Thanksgiving obviously. I just don't get it, I called her back 20 seconds after she called me and have been trying to get a hold of her since. I just wish I could go back in time and answer that call!

I had that happen to me when I was a new grad. My friend's house is a cellular dead zone for me so when she called it went straight to voice mail. I called her back within minutes of the message being left and got her voice mail. Kept trying all day--no answer. Started panicking like you did that I missed my chance. I left a message and tried calling several times the next day...no answer each time. Figured I lost my chance and let it go. She finally called me on day 3...I can't remember if it was for an interview or to reject me :) But I know what you're feeling right now.

I would suggest that you never let a phone go unanswered even if you have to run out of the shower to get it. And if you have a cell phone, keep it by you 24/7 because you never know when a recruiter may strike.

Hope she calls back soon. Good luck!

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Sorry to hear this happened to you. Something similar has happened to me more than once. It is frustrating because the person never calls back, they just cross you off the list. I also had someone call me early one Saturday morning and give me an initial interview over the phone. I can't remember if they told me, or if I figured it out myself, that they called on Saturday morning deliberately, to see if I was accessible, (back in the day before widespread cell phone use). I got the second interview partly because I answered my phone that morning. Agree that you should carry your cell phone with you even into the bath room. Hope she returns the call and that you get the job.

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