When Your Persistence is Too Much

We all hear about “persistence pays off” and “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. We are told to be persistent about what we want and if we really try hard enough, we’ll get it. But at whose expense? And when is it time to let go and move on?

I’ve recently come in contact with someone who wants to sell me something. This is something I’ve been thinking about buying for some time, but have taken my time because I want to be sure it is right.  I’m usually an impulse buyer (bad, I know), but this is different because it pertains to my work. So, I’ve been looking at this particular product from a new company that seems on the up and up, even though they are brand new to this market.

As I was quietly browsing online, I decided to send an email with a question. Big mistake. It started an endless stream of emails, phone calls, and more emails to try and entice me to buy. The first few emails I didn’t mind, but now it’s become a hassle. I don’t like to be rude and I don’t like hurting anyone’s feelings, because he seems like a nice fellow. So, I’ve told him gently in my emails that I wanted to think on it some more. Still, the emails haven’t stopped. Oh, the emails, the emails. Please STOP!

Now, I don’t want the dang thing anymore, I just want him to lose my email address. With his constant persistence, he has lost my sale. Not only did he lose my sale on that one product, but I will never go to the site AGAIN. Why would I chance the month’s worth of emails and aggravation?

So, when is persistence too much? When is it too much during the job search/interview process? How many times should you call the HR person/recruiter? I’ve been asked this a lot. I think post interview follow up is an excellent thing. Post interview stalking is completely different. You really only need to call once. Twice is pushing it. Chances are, they DID NOT lose your phone number/email/address, etc. They will call you when they are ready. Believe it or not, they do have other things to do in their daily work life. Sales clients tend to think, ‘if I pester them to death, they will know how great I will be in the sales position’. Ix-nay that idea. It will work against you.

I know all about impatience and just wanting to know. I am terribly impatient and tend to hurry things along to get to the prize. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to sit back and wait for things. They usually always appear. So, rest assured, if you are the candidate they want, they will call. It might not be in your timeline, but they will call.

Written by Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW - Visit the website to hire executive resume writer Erin Kennedy, CERW, CPRW

Erin is an internationally renowned certified resume writer specializing in professional and executive level resumes and career services.

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