When job posts say "No phone calls, please," does no really mean no?

[Tucsondriver]

When I see this in jobs postings, I usually get the sense that employers expect so many applicants, why bother. I'm not sure what I would do if I were a hiring editor, but I sure as heck don't want mousy reporters who are afraid to take risks. So, if anyone out there is a current hiring editor or deals with people in HR, your feedback would be much appreciated.

 

[Riddick]

when doesn't no mean no?

 

[Babs]

They wouldn't put no calls if they didn't mean it.

 

[playthrough]

I don't think being the bulldog candidate who calls all the time earns bonus points anymore. If it makes you feel good to be persistent, do it by e-mail.

 

[Jim_Carty]

I once worked for an SE who delighted in discarding every application from folks who ignored the rules and called when he put "no phone calls please" in the ad.

 

[wannabeu]

when doesn't no mean no?

Ben Roethlisberger might want to answer that question.

 

[Editude]

Find out the contact e-mail for the non-HR person involved in the hiring (and that process isn't always easy) and send that person a note. He or she will let you know if a phone call, either way, would be an appropriate next step.

 

[Moderator1]

I once worked for an SE who delighted in discarding every application from folks who ignored the rules and called when he put "no phone calls please" in the ad.

For my first hire, I got some calls when we clearly said no calls. Out they went. I talked about it with my brother, who does a lot of hiring in another profession. He said it was absolutely the right thing to do. The inability to follow directions tells you something.

If it says don't call, don't call. Yes, I mean you and everyone else.

 

[playthrough]

Butbutbut...I really have a lot to offer! And I'm a huge Nats fan!

 

[PCLoadLetter]

I've always found this to be kind of absurd in journalism. I don't want a reporter who won't call simply because the source doesn't want him to.

Nothing worse than the reporter who puts in a page or an email to someone and then waits meekly for the phone to ring.

 

[black dude with pompano]

I've always found this to be kind of absurd in journalism. I don't want a reporter who won't call simply because the source doesn't want him to.

Nothing worse than the reporter who puts in a page or an email to someone and then waits meekly for the phone to ring.

I can't tell if you're being serious or not, but to me it shows a tremendous lack of respect for others' time that borders on arrogance (the notion that you're so much more special than the other 100 applicants).

It's 2010 and we have e-mail, which is a much less obtrusive way of making contact.

 

[Moderator1]

I've always found this to be kind of absurd in journalism. I don't want a reporter who won't call simply because the source doesn't want him to.

Nothing worse than the reporter who puts in a page or an email to someone and then waits meekly for the phone to ring.

Apples to oranges brother - you aren't chasing a story here. I'm sure as heck wasn't going to be impressed and say, "Wow, this guy is an aggressive go-getter, this is who I want."