Listen carefully my son. I have probably 4-5 years of experience with entry-level work.
YOU have to call THEM.
Fuck waiting for them to call you.
Call and say this "Hi, is a manager in right now?"
When they transfer you, (most people won't ask why), say something like
"Hello sir/miss this is Emma Markell and I was calling to check on an application I filled out. Is the position still open? Do you have anything else available?"
Sometimes they will say "No, Thank you" or some shit. In that case, check back in three weeks.
Or they will say some shit like "You know I'm a bit busy right now" or "Call tomorrow when so-and-so is in." What they are doing is testing how hungry you are for the job (and also if you have the ability to follow through on shit).
With most entry-level jobs, (retail, warehouse, security, driver, construction) they won't call you. *You* have to call them. They don't usually check every application carefully and decide. They wait for someone to come in, turn in an application, and BUG the fuck out of them until they get an interview. 90% of submitted applkications are tossed in a pile or a box and never read by anyone. Don't think because you filled out a name and address your application will sparkle and shine in the eyes of a lazy, bored supervisor or manager making 15 dollars an hour.
Be presistent, bug them until you get an interview, and shit will go your way. To turn in an application without a trump tight resume and walk away expecting to hear a phone ring is not the way to go about it. That will probably happen abput 1% of the time.
If you are interviewing for a medium to high level position such as management, positions requiring alot of experience, credentials, degrees etc., the impetus will lie a bit more on the employer as they need you instead of you needing them. It helps to sometimes check with an office or contact a sluggish HR rep, but for the most part, once you have a real resume, a degree, and some experience, interviewing is usually a bit less hectic and demeaning as you have skills they are desirous of.