Possible reasons a recruiter didn't call at the scheduled time
Here are some reasons why a recruiter may not have called at the scheduled time:1. They're busy with other tasks
Recruiters are responsible for hiring employees for a company's vacant positions. Their daily schedules tend to be busy, as they consult with hiring managers, review resumes and call other candidates. If these tasks take longer than usual, they might prioritize finishing them over completing your scheduled call.2. They're collecting materials for your call
When a recruiter calls candidates, they tend to use supporting materials to guide the conversation. For instance, they might refer to your resume to discuss your qualifications or the company's policies to inform you about the office culture. When recruiters are busy, they might not have enough time to find and download these materials before the call. Many would rather call you a few minutes late and use the extra time to prepare themselves for a productive call. Related: FAQ: Do Recruiters Read Cover Letters?3. They made a clerical error
Especially during busy hiring periods, recruits might make clerical errors. For instance, they may enter the wrong time or date into their calendar or forget to create a reminder for your call. It's also possible for a recruiter to type in the wrong phone number.4. You provided them with the wrong phone number
Recruiters usually ask for your phone number and call you at the scheduled time. When providing your phone number, you may have made a typo. You can ensure the number you provided is correct by checking the email you sent to the recruiter.5. Scheduling conflict
A recruiter may not call you because another call has gone over the planned time, an urgent call came up or another scheduling conflict has occurred. It's also possible for unforeseen events to make a recruiter unavailable, like an illness or car problem. Related: 15 Questions To Ask a RecruiterWhat to do if a recruiter didn't call at the scheduled time
Here's what to do if a recruiter didn't call at the scheduled time:1. Check the meeting details
If it's past the time for your scheduled call, consider verifying the meeting details. These details might appear on a calendar event or within an email. You can check that you have the time and date correct, which is especially important if you and the recruiter are in different time zones. If you discover that the scheduled call is at a later time, you can adjust your schedule accordingly. If you realized that you missed the meeting, check your email for a message from the recruiter. It's likely that they sent an email asking why you missed the call. You can respond by explaining that you made a mistake, apologizing and asking to reschedule the call. If there's no email from the recruiter, you can initiate your own follow-up email with the same details.2. Verify the phone number you provided is correct
While checking the meeting details, consider verifying that the phone number you provided is correct. Looking carefully can ensure the number is free of typos. If you discover a typo, send the recruiter an email to address the issue. You can explain that you accidentally provided the wrong number, send the correct one and apologize for any inconvenience. Consider saying that you are still available to talk or offer to reschedule the meeting.3. Establish a grace period
If you verified that the time is correct and the recruiter has the right phone number, consider establishing a grace period. A grace period is the amount of time you give the recruiter to call you before sending a follow-up email. For instance, if your scheduled call was at 1 p.m., you might give the recruiter 15 minutes to call you. At 1:15 p.m., you might send a follow-up email to confirm that the call is still happening. Related: 12 Questions To Ask During a Phone Interview With a Recruiter (With Examples and Tips)4. Check your email
When the grace period ends, consider checking your email. The recruiter might be aware that they missed the call and inform you accordingly. A typical message includes an apology, a reason for their absence and a request to reschedule the call. Consider using an empathetic tone in your response, saying that you understand that they're busy and appreciate their honesty. Confirm that the date and time they suggest works for you, or provide your availability to find another date and time that works for both of you.5. Send a follow-up email
If you don't receive a message from the recruiter, consider sending your own follow-up email. You can confirm the time and date while asking the recruiter if they have time to complete the scheduled call. You can also let them know how much longer you're available and ask if they would like to reschedule. Try to remain polite, as a professional response can prove that you are patient and understanding. Recruiters often see these qualities as desirable for many positions, and they are likely to remember them as they match you with a job. After you send the follow-up email, look for a fast response. If they are available to talk, they may call right away. If they ask to reschedule, you can confirm an appropriate date and time. Try to be patient if you don't receive an immediate response to your follow-up email. You can send another follow-up email the next day to respect their busy schedule while demonstrating that you want to complete the call. Related: Email Examples: How To Respond To a RecruiterTemplate of what to say if a recruiter didn't call at a scheduled time
Here's a template of what to say if a recruiter didn't call at a scheduled time:Dear [Recruiter name],I appreciate you scheduling a call with me today at [Time of scheduled call] and am writing to confirm that you can still talk today. I am available until [Insert time you are available until], but I am happy to reschedule if this is not a good time. I look forward to talking with you.Thank you!
[Your name]