Why Don’t Employers Call You Back?
By CareerBuilder blogger on Sep 10, 2009 in Employment, Featured, Interviews, Job Search
Of all the complaints we hear from job seekers, one of the most popular is, “Employers never call me back.” They say that not receiving any communication makes them think their application materials weren’t received, and it’s frustrating. After an interview, they expect to hear something, even if it’s bad news. They just want to know, one way or the other, if they might be in the running for the position.
It’s a valid frustration and one that we’re all familiar with. It’s understandable that employers are swamped with applications, especially because they’re getting up to 75 resumes for a single position. Job seekers get that they can’t always respond to every single applicant…but to never so much as e-mail or call someone back after an interview?
Our sister blog, The Hiring Site, decided to help us out with this question by asking their audience of employers to give us the low-down on why this might happen. Last week, we got an answer that was worthy of telling you, as it was filled with sound advice.
HRPro gave this response:
“Job searchers, please understand that hiring managers and HR professionals are receiving 10times the amount of resumes than they would have a year or two ago. Their time is spread thin and it is difficult to respond to each resume or application. Don’t expect to hear from every company that you’ve applied. The position may have filled and the manager has moved on.
If you interview for a job, though, a good hiring manager will always follow up. Additionally, be mindful of several things.
- First, don’t apply for a job for which you clearly are not qualified.
- Second, prepare for your interview. If you know nothing about the company you are interviewing with, it’s an immediate red flag to the hiring manager.
- Finally, if a hiring manager indicates that she will contact you in two weeks and you have not heard from her, you should follow up with her. It may be that the process is taking longer than she expected. Remember, two years ago, job seekers were particular about the jobs they would accept. Today, managers are trying to find the “perfect” candidate rather than settling on a candidate.”
So there you have it. What do you think, job seekers?
Also, read this article by Anthony Balderrama to gain some more insight on the topic.
Dani | Sep 10, 2009
In terms of answering applicants people would appreciate ever a standard email. The only thing the company has to do is sending a generic email for all the unwanted applicants.
Bruce Welty | Sep 10, 2009
Pity on the poor understaffed HR departments. Weren’t they the dynamic behind lean operations? Well understaffed is the working definiton of lean. Other departments that have unproductive employees terminate them. All in the need to find the “perfect” candidate.
Jennifer | Sep 10, 2009
I work in recruiting and make an effort to reply to almost all received resumes for positions…however, a few things that irritate me: As mentioned, people who apply when they are CLEARLY not qualified (eg, we are looking for someone with 7+ years exp and someone applies who has one year, but is a “quick learner.”) Another is when we state that only local applicants will be considered because it will require 2-3 in-person interviews, normally with a cpl of days notice. I will then receive resumes from everywhere in the country. If you are a 5 hour flight away, are you really going to fly here 3 times on your own dime to interview??? That being said, I keep a list of everyone I need to touch back with and try to keep everyone in the loop, and also always send an email acknowledging receipt of resume, unless the candidate has committed one of the above sins.
Rodney Cooley | Sep 10, 2009
As someone who has used lean manufacturing to gain large efficiencies, I would politely disagree with Bruce’s definition of lean. IMHO it’s more about getting rid of the wastes that can be brought about by disorganization, outdated processes, lack of cross-training, etc.
I can appreciate how busy HR is with today’s job market. My experience with the follow-through has been mixed. Some companies have updated me after the interview, but others have not given me any information, not even after I checked in with them after the date I was given has passed.
Not sure what to make of it when I have followed steps 1, 2, and 3, but I don’t hear anything.
AD | Sep 10, 2009
I understand no sending messages to applicants who send resumes. What I do not understand is not replying back to messages AFTER an interview and AFTER the timeframe a decision would be made. If a decision is taking longer than expected, why don’t hiring managers/HR email/phone the candidate to let them know that? Maybe the applicant can provide additional information to help sway them or at the very least be informed of the process. The hardest part of interviewing is the silence. Even when I have emailed/phoned the company after an appropriate time frame, I sometimes get silence. Anybody shed light on this?
KM | Sep 10, 2009
Years ago, I had an interview with a company and the woman I spoke to told me they would make a decision by X date. A week or so after that date had passed, I called her and she said that they hadn’t made a decision yet. Okay, no problem…things happen, I get that. What I didn’t get was the letter I received a day later, that was dated a few days before saying the position had been filled. Why couldn’t she just tell me that on the phone? That kind of behavior baffles me.
MH | Sep 10, 2009
HR managers don’t call you back because it’s easier not to. Having had no success applying for jobs I was overqualified for, I began applying for jobs I was underqualified for. If HR reps told people who have all the qualifications why they weren’t hired, they might not pester other HR people with application for jobs they’re not qualified for. As a (former) job seeker, it’s hard to have sympathy for the overly full email inbox of HR people.
Steph McDonald | Sep 11, 2009
If you haven’t heard anything after following up (politely) 2 or 3 times, move on. Don’t get caught up in the waiting game for the ‘perfect job’. I hate that recruiters don’t get back with candidates, but it happens. Keep yourself moving forward and not looking back.
One comment to MH – why would you apply for jobs you were over/under qualified for? Why not apply for jobs at the right level? I don’t understand the rationale.
Steph (Recruiter w 10 years of experience)
TheWorkDoctor | Sep 11, 2009
Is it any surprise that employers don’t call back? Forget about a response to a job application for a moment. What if you’re absent from work and you leave a message for your employer to call you, do they? Or, if your name is not on a schedule to work and you call your employer, does your employer call back? The answer is no they don’t. The reason is generally because the employer doesn’t want you working for them. So does it really surprise you if you don’t get a call back when you submit an application for employment? If you want the job or you want to keep your job, be agressive but courteous, and call, don’t wait for things to happen or life will pass you by. And if possible, go see them in person.
carol | Sep 12, 2009
It all goes back to good manners. Remember those? Not many people do. Job Seeker: after an interview, send a short, handwritten thank you note. Just because the HR department does not value good manners is no reason you should behave like a buffoon. Your note may trigger a long ago memory of a parent who stressed civil behavior. Your note is your vote for a more civil society.
Laura | Sep 14, 2009
How do you explain after the interview when the recruiter who sent you on the interview won’t return phone calls and emails three weeks later?
Then to cap that off to see the position you interviewed for is re advertised after your two hour interview with the hiring manager?
Annette | Sep 16, 2009
Jennifer, I can respect what you are saying and where you are comming from. My standpoint is this, for the applicants that are qualified, pre-screened, and initially interviewed. It takes time to prepare,coordinate attire, gas, and time, on the part of the applicant. Then to be placed in a psych evaluation for 30 to 50 minutes. At least have a email sent to that person, so they can move on if they were not chosen from your company to move forward with.
Mamadouba Sylla | Sep 19, 2009
I have no experience as far as microsoft office is concern. I grew up in academic environement where I was not lucky to learn any computer skill at all. Nevertheless, Ilearned french language and two african dialects including English. Untill up to last year, I was working for Immigration service as translator & Interpretor in Immigration court while, I was attending Paralegal/Litigation classes in New york Paralegal school for two years. I graduaded there. Also, received my Bachelor degree prior immigrating to USA. I am a US citizen with a good moral& caractere. But I tried as much as could, I can’t find a job. What is my option and advice I can possibily from you. I have five children all uner thirteen year of age who desperately count on their dady to put foot on the table.
Thak for the opportunity.
Best regards!
Sincerly, Sylla.
N.B : As might notice, I can’t even create my own webside.
DM | Sep 21, 2009
I would think a good applicant tracking system would handle under/over experienced applicants as well as other criteria in weeding them out automatically. Additionally, a good ATS should offer easy response mechanisms. So in this day in age, it should be know excuse not to get back to the job seeker.
This coming from someone who help create an web recruiting solutions back in 1997 which became a part of Webhire ATS and is now part of Kennexa.
Funny thing though, I get more response from companies that don’t use ATS systems than do.
Note: I have not been affiliated with the companies mentioned for some time.
SB | Sep 23, 2009
I can understand not responding to every single resume that’s emailed in from a job board posting or something similar. However, when an employer calls someone to come in and interview and then puts the applicant through an interview process, the employer SHOULD follow-up with the decision, regardless of whether it’s good or bad.
I hear from people all the time about going through an interview process and being told “we’ll let you know by such and such date”. Then silence. Then more silence even after the applicant contacts them.
I was subjected to this behavior myself. I interviewed at a well known corporation. I had interviews all morning with 5 different people. Then scurried home to be available for a phone interview later that afternoon with someone out of state. I was told that it would be “a week or two” before they made a decision. So, I waited. After the “week or two” I contacted their recruiting officer. No response. I waited a couple of days and then contacted her again. I got a “I was out of the office on Monday” (by now it was Thursday). Then told “they decided to proceed with another candidate”. I was very close to giving her a piece of my mind and say something like “You know, considering everything I went through to interview for this position, the LEAST you could do is to give me the common courtesy of a phone call.” But I didn’t. I took the high road and simply thanked her and the company for considering me. But when an HR department acts like that, it’s hard not to look on that company in a negative way.
Middle management in corporate America is so afraid of any “confrontation”, they can’t even treat people like people anymore. They SHOULD call or at the very least send a letter in the mail (not email) to everyone who came in to go through a series of interviews.
It’s incredibly frustrating.
kevin | Sep 28, 2009
there just a bunch of wankers not gewtting back to u i dont want to here any lame exscuses sticking up for theses people an email a phone call take seconds to do id rather no one way or the other than nothing.
Adam | Oct 5, 2009
I am currently waiting for the post interview call back from a large bio tech company. They informed me they would contact me by next week, but I have yet to hear from them despite 2 polite followup messages to their HR department. I have been on pins and needles all weekend.
Ken | Oct 6, 2009
I think employers not sending out any yes or no is totally ok for me. If I don’t hear any responses in a week after the interview, I automatically knew that I won’t be considered. But, it is not always the case. I used to interview with a company and the manager said that he definitely wants me back. But, I didn’t hear anything. After a month, this company called me and said they have a great position just suits my requirements. It was soo great.
The thing I hate the most is in San Jose areas. I just moved here. I am just scared how rude people here can be. The hiring mangers are even more weird. One hiring manager called me up on a weekend night around 8pm. A few of them calls me and said they will return my call in 15 minutes or later, but NEVER DID. When I called back, they were like, “oh…you know, I’m so sorry, I am just soo busy” then gave me a shit like interview. Why I say SHIT like? Because the questions they asked were not related to the list of requirements or just not even in the field of the job I applied for. I really wanted to know what is wrong with people in San Jose areas??!!! Stop harassing candidates, we JUST WANT TO LOOK FOR A JOB.
Ken | Oct 6, 2009
Here is another weird San Jose hiring manager. This hiring manager called me and said she would like to test me on several questions on my field. After a few questions, I realized that she is someone who knows nothing about the field, she is just following maybe an answer sheet on her table. When she asked me a very simple questions with plenty of possibilities. I gave her a less common answer and she completely confused herself and said I was wrong. Any beginner in this field would know that it is impossible that my answer is wrong. Then I asked her to pull up web sites to verify my answer and kinda educate her that she confused herself. I basically answered all her questions correctly, but I didn’t hear anything from her. Actually, I don’t want to hear from her. This is the type of hiring manager I hate. I only experienced these weird people in San Jose.
rkgwes | Oct 8, 2009
If a potential employee send an email to HR requesting a response or update, it would be very professional to send a response. Also, employers should stop placing unnecessary requirements the have nothing to do with the jobs, such as education that have nothing to do with th jobs.Employers need to think if the shoe was on the other foot and they were the person applying for the job, how would they want to be treated
Richard Koop | Oct 8, 2009
I was unemployeed for almost 2 years. I reside in San Diego and traveled at the company’s expense to Tampa, Cleveland and Dallas on Job interviews. Upon ariving back home following the interview I sent off an e mail thanking for the opportunity and look forward to hearing back from the company. On all three occassions I did not get any type of communication from the company I interviewed with, not an e mail, letter or phone call.
TI | Oct 9, 2009
Yes, THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.
And when the job description lists 30-40 duties. That is when I exit and go on to another job posting. EMPLOYERS GET SO DEMANDING.
Ken | Oct 9, 2009
Another very strange interview I went to. This employer requested me for an in person interview. I prepared and took a long time to reach the place. One the interviewers told me he doesn’t have much time to interview me. Another interview talking on the cell phone regarding his personal issue while interviewing me. I mean if you don’t have time, then don’t ask me to be prepared and come to the office. I so regret moving here to CA. I have great qualifications, I have turned down two offers in my previous resident state. ARE THERE ANY NORMAL COMPANIES AND PEOPLE IN THE BAY AREAS??????
Kim | Oct 9, 2009
I am on the job hunt and had a really good phone interview, with another phone interview immediately set up with a specific date and time, and the hiring manager never called. I followed up with a call and email, and still I’ve heard nothing. Frustration!! Unfortunately, despite the lack of professionalism, I still am very interested in the position. What do I do?
Tom | Oct 9, 2009
I hear you Adam… same here. Waiting for the call back… it’s frustrating
M | Oct 9, 2009
I recently interviewed with Oce Business Services. I will say it was a horrible unprofessional experience. What the interviewer doesn’t know is that I have contacts with clients that he works with and I certainly wouldn’t hesitate letting them know about my experience when I am able.
Networks and contacts can sometimes reach far and wide.
john | Oct 12, 2009
The statement listed above would hold water IF it were true. Even prior to our current economic crisis many companies especially in retail wouldn’t give you the time of day. Filling out application & uploading resume’s via personal or even their own corporate computors/kiosk definately did not mean you received a rewsponce. Very few maybe 4% sent a courtesy e-mail back stating “Sorry you meet our qualifications But someone more qualified received the position. This allows both myself & them to move on. After all it’s paperless & could be done in some type of standard form.
jan | Oct 15, 2009
im also waiting for a call from the person who interviewed me(HR). she told me that she likes the way i answer all the questions and the confidence that i have…the interview went really well, she interviewed me for 50 minutes and i feel so confident about it..she told me that i’ll hear from her the next day to schedule for a second interview.i didnt call them the next day (friday) i decided not to coz ill just wait ti’l monday, i called her and left a message but she didnt call me back, i give her a call last tuesday, somebody answered the phone and she told me that the HR is with a customer and busy that time, i understand that part, the lady ask me if i want to leave a message, and i told her that i call to follow up my application, she told me that they havent hired anybody yet. i felt relieved, but at the same time wondering if its true that they havent decided yet coz as what ive heard, some will tell the applicants that they havent decided who to hire yet but actually they’ve filled that position already..
im still waiting for their call..do u think the hr is just busy not to call me back or they have filled the position already?
Suzanne G | Oct 22, 2009
Employers who do not respond are just rude…I love how this article twists the blame around to the applicant. If someone takes the time to send you a resume by any method (snail mail, email etc.) the employer should take the time to respond. With technology today it is even easier to respond. I used to work for a college and we not only responded to all the job applicants but we also sent them brochures about our college. I remember sending out 150 at once…this was in 1988…we used data bases and mail merge then duh!…My daughter just applied and was interviewed for a job at a very good college in Philadelphia…she contacted the interviewer several times …months later still has not heard…I think Employers like this should be exposed to all..Maybe we need to embarass them into being polite.
Millie | Oct 23, 2009
I am in agreement with the above letters, we should expose the inconsideraate jerks. Amd while I am at it I want to congratulate those of you who got to HR. Let me clarify, if you made it to the company and used their Human Resources department. Times have changed amd recruiting has been outsourced, some companies don’t want to bother with screening their own people. THIS IS THE REASON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS SO HIGH. The agemcoes have these dim witted airheads who are paid by the number of people they sucker out of a resume. Next, the majority of them are clueless, they cannot think outside of the box, if your skills are not what the employer has on the requisition EXACTLY, they cannot conceptualize and see how the job that you applied for, (you thought you had the qualifications) and your experience, though it might be broader, would make a fit.
They tend to overscreen. And those dumb ass questions they ask, Tell me about a time when you……., if I hear that again I am going to scream.
I would name some of these agencies, but I hate to be blacklisted. But one begins with an A. and their sales force is earning their fat salaries, money that could be used to Keep More People working. They are recruiting for everyone, I am leary of working for a company who cannot seek their own talent, I learned that not all companies are equal. well I will write more later.
Seattle Interview Coach | Oct 31, 2009
Job and interview rejection letters and calls can be puzzling. Sometimes the recruiter doesn’t know the real reason why the hiring manager chose a different candidate. Other times, they know the reason, but fearing legal liability, they cannot say it. And probably the most important reason of all, recruiters hate delivering bad news, worried that candidates will get upset, angry — or ask more questions on why they didn’t get the job.
Talk to us. We’ve developed an “Interview Rejection Report.” The report will tell you your interview shortcomings are and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
To learn more: http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/09/find-out-why-employers-dont-call-you.html
- Seattle Interview Coach
cahill | Nov 6, 2009
People appply for jobs they are over/ under qualified for because, in case you haven’t noticed, the “perfect” job is not out there. You have to throw your hat in the ring. In this economy people are willing to take jobs they are underqualified for or apply to jobs that they could do but they might not have evey listed qualification. Just because you didn’t have the money to get an MBA doesn’t always mean you’re not qualified. Also, unemployment requires people to apply for at least 2 jobs a week. So they have to apply for something even if they may not be qualified for it.
me | Nov 26, 2009
They should respond.
Here’s one of my experiences.
Sent my resume – went in for an interview over 1 hour – paid to park downtown – took a test that was supposed to take 45 minutes and aced it in under 15 minutes. Here I stand still unemployed with them, I have what they want and they aren’t even paying attention. It’s beyond frustrating to continue repeating this. The worst place I interviewed sent me through 3 interviews, introduced me to the entire office then AT LEAST sent me a no letter. They wasted time I could have been searching for others that are interested. Be thankful on this holiday if you have one thing A JOB!!!
I can’t even get unemployment and will be lucky if I eat in the next 2 weeks.
Evgeniya | Jan 5, 2010
I got laid off in July and 5 months later still unemployed. Since I got laid off I started looking for a job right away. I landed my first interview in September, second in October, third in November, and last one just before Christmas. Not bad, heh? Except that non of them called me back after the interview. I called all of them several times, and haven’t heard a word. Oh, wait, I have recieved a rejection letter recently from the interview from September. It is very frustrating, because the interviews go really well, they seem like they like me and that I qualify for the job. But I am also noticing thins awfull pattern: “You are so wonderful, we will contact you next week..” and then there is silence. How a jobseeker to deal with it??
Stefania | Jan 8, 2010
One question…. In college or university are HR managers told to ignore their applicants? I should think NOT!!! So stop feeling sorry for them. They were the one’s who chose their careers… so they should be able to deal with it.
Adam | Feb 9, 2010
I am the Adam from the October 5th post.
I got a call back 4 months after my second interview with Phamatech (the large bio-tech firm). The HR department informed me that they had a job opening and wanted to have a telephone interview the following day at 9am. The HR representative asked me if I would be available to start the day after the interview, to which I replied “Yes!”.
Phamatech did not call me for the 9:00 interview, nor did they call me the next day with an explanation/reschedule. Over the next two weeks I left a friendly voice-mail and sent 2 or 3 polite emails asking about the position. I finally received a phone call from the HR representative who told me that they were no longer hiring, but that they would keep my resume on file.
I asked them not to keep my resume on file.
AVI | Feb 10, 2010
I look at it this way: do I really want to work for a company that doesn’t have good manners? Then, I remember the company and endeavor to never become their customer if at all possible.
However, if I really want the job, I make sure to mail a ‘Thank You’ card as quickly as possible. (E-mails and phone calls are too easily ignored.) I know I’ve gotten two or three jobs because of that.
alicia | Feb 10, 2010
i see why theres so many posiitons that are unfilled because of dumb hr people etc…. lots of people go to college and seem to not find a job not even in the mall and yet these jobs have the nerve to have over the top standards for a position that doesnt pay much. hr etc needs to STOP BEING LAZY AND START TRAINING PEOPLE!!!! or your company will be the next to go out of business!!!!!
dilbertrocks | Feb 10, 2010
HR managers should not reply to everyone that applies, but they should reply to those who have interviewed.
Why is it in my last phone interview the HR associate asked me what my ending pay was for every job on my resume going back over 10 years? How is that relevant to my qualifications and skills of today? Also, I would like to start more controversy by saying, isn’t it odd that the vast majority of HR workers are WOMEN! We need more men in this field.
James | Feb 16, 2010
Kevin, have you ever heard of grammar, punctuation or spell check? Do you actually expect to get hired with such a lack of skills?
John | Feb 16, 2010
Well put.
Dale Coughlin | Feb 16, 2010
HR people who almost all are female tend to be incompetent. Why believe the explanation that HR is much busier than two years ago so therefore they cannot call back is bull.They did not call back 5 years ago, come on. They probably call back the women but not men. They interview applicants for jobs that they never performed and know nothing about. Poor little HR people having to work. I will do your job and call back people. 2008 MBA and no job- horsecrap society.
Dale Coughlin | Feb 16, 2010
I agree- sick and tired of dealing with women HR personnel. The first problem you deal with is how hard should you shake their hand? You do not want to hurt a women. But you can be performing great in the interview and speaking the language of the position, accounting, finance, procurement etc and the HR person is clueless. They usually have never performed any other job and you wonder how the hell will you ever get a freakinj job. To many woman in the workforce.
Katherine | Feb 16, 2010
I feel everyone’s pain regarding employers who do not contact applicants after interviewing for a position. I work in social services and a lot of non-profit agencies appear to be totally unfamiliar with standard etiqutte. I’ve even had second interviews with non-profits and heard nothing back regarding their decision. I make one follow-up contact but if my efforts to follow-up are ignored, I move on. It’s sad but civility is all but gone from modern society.
Denise | Feb 16, 2010
I looked for a job through CareerBuilders for over a year and a half and of all the resumes I sent out, I never got the FIRST call or response from ANY of them. Luckily I was able to secure a job through personal networking. Not the best job or the ideal job, but a job nonetheless.
underemployed | Feb 16, 2010
A bunch of men who can’t get jobs blame the Hr woman. Men really are weak and pathetic
Carmen | Feb 16, 2010
Can someone answer this for me, last year I had interviewed with a big accounting firm, they never called me back, so I called them. The person who I interviewed with told me, they had made a decision, they had hired someone who was “a better fit”.
Now, what does “a better fit” mean? Lots of things were racing in my head, I kinda felt insulted to be truthful about it. I thought the interview went rather well.
Thanks.
ponsa | Feb 16, 2010
more fun s
Lisa | Feb 17, 2010
I got a call from someone I had met at a career fair, and she seemed interested in me. We talked about the position, my skills, and then she told me to meet her at the site, where there would be other candidates who were also being considered for the position.
After that meeting, she called me saying she wanted a one-on-one interview, but then she said she didn’t have her schedule handy, but that she would call me in the morning FOR SURE. YOU HAVE MY WORD, she said.
You guessed it. No call. A week went by and I had already forgotten her. Out of the blue, she called, wanting me to come to her office that afternoon. “How did it feel when I didn’t call? she asked. I should have hung up on her, but against my gut, I said I figured she was busy. She hired me, trained me for a month, then called and said that I “was not a good fit” for the organization. I was to meet in her office immediately to turn in my materials.
I still hate her. I needed to vent. OK, so I move on. It was the only time I was ever fired, and I have been working since I was eleven.
Moral: If they don’t call you back, don’t look back. They are probably doing you a favor.
Jennifer | Feb 17, 2010
Dale, don’t be a jerk. Leave your misogyny and gender bias out of this. This is about common courtesy, which BOTH genders in the hiring process are lacking.
A month ago I had an hour long interview with the managing director of a prestigious firm, and I walked away with a great feeling. During the interview his language quickly changed to include such phrases as “when you start” or “you’ll like”. He was also very complementary of my background and skills. I took this as a good sign, and a good rapport seemed to be there.
He said they were anxious to fill the position and would only be conducting interviews for one week with their top candidates. I sent off a thoughtful thank you letter.
I left a voicemail for him the following Wednesday after the conclusion of their interviews the previous Friday. No call back. Waited one more week and left another voicemail. No call back.
It’s a wonder any job seekers can keep their sanity when employers put people through this kind of thing.
Dean Palmer | Feb 17, 2010
This all boils down to Common Human Courtesy – something sadly lacking in American professional society these days. It’s all about “we’re too busy”, “we’re overworked”, understaffed, etc. Meanwhile, there is some poor unemployed soul out there possibly even facing losing his/her home who’s every breath is taken in anticipation of hearing SOMETHING from a recent job application. Not enough time to send a 5 second courtesy email to an applicant? Bullpuckie! With all the office automation and buzz-word parsing programs being used by HR and hiring managers, I’m certain that it would be easy to program a routine that could send out an email or telephone message automatically to let an applicant know his/her application was received. But after an actual in-person interview was done, then there is NO excuse! After all, even hiring managers and HR people had to look for their jobs at some point too! So lets bring back some human decency and courtesy to this nameless, faceless, anonymous world we’ve created. Me? I WILL take the time to inform a candidate that he or she is or is not being considered for the position. And if an applicant has provided an email address, I will send a quickie to them to let them know Their application was received and is being processed. Now what is wrong with that?
Dean Palmer | Feb 17, 2010
Mamadouba Sylla | Sep 19, 2009: You are in exactly the same position as many other people in this country, and others! There are millions of people, many of which are educated, or highly skilled or both. But there are so few jobs because of the down economy we’re in right now. All you can do is do your best – that’s all anyone can expect from you. You are doing NOTHING wrong – just keep up the effort – DO NOT lose hope or begin to think there is anything wrong with you or your abilities. Yes, this a pep-talk. But I would add that it might be helpful if you try to be creative and imaginative in your job search. You may find the ideal job in places you never thought to look. Expand your horizons and embrace larger possibilities. If also I could suggest, being computer skilled will make many things easier, from job searching to finding and buying things you need for the home. And most jobs these days do require that applicants have some computer skills. Perhaps taking an evening computer class at your local Junior College would be helpful. Your message is dated September 19th of last year, so I hope you’ve been able to find a good job by now. If not, you are NOT alone. Keep forging forward – never give up. Despair is a natural part of this process especially when you have a family to support. But in the end, as long as you don’t quit, you will succeed. The most successful people in history were those who refused to be beaten; refused to give up. Keep up the fight. It’s something we all have to do. Good luck!
LH | Feb 17, 2010
I agree Dani. You go to all the trouble to research a company, find the person who is probably doing the hiring, weigh your skills and experience against the job qualifications, create a detailed cover letter, fill out all the applications online that most companies are now requiring in addition to a resume and companies can’t even take 30 seconds to send out a quick, generic e-mail to the effect that “the position for which you recently applied has been filled” ? Sheesh! Maybe a non-response company is NOT one you want to work for anyway.
Diane | Feb 17, 2010
After I had the first interview with the HR Manager and then the CEO, then met with the HR Manager again, she, (the HR Manager) said to me…that I would be a great fit with the company and was sure I would be back for the next round. I met with her for over an hour, we had such a great meeting, she really built me up. And now, nothing. I sent a hand-written thank you note (to both), waited a week or so, nothing. Sent her a brief e-mail, nothing. WHY would someone build you up like that, then not respond?
Paul | Feb 18, 2010
I believe that companies need to let their departmental managers in on the hiring process. Many times, HR can not equate your specific skills and abilities with the job requirements. For instance. I have been a mechanic for 30 years. I have worked on some very big and expensive equipment over the years. When I applied for a job at a quick oil change facility, the HR department turned me down as I didn’t have oil change experience on my resume. This is what I mean about not equating your knowledge with the job requirements. Many times HR departments are a companies worst tool. Also, it doesn’t take a Wizard degree, to figure out how to answer those silly behavior based questions. I.e., “Tell me about a time”… I’m quite sure that over time, all of unemployed folks are going to be so well versed in answering behavior based questions, HR/department managers will get back to asking questions which relate to the position specifics. In addition I would like to point out that HR ineptitude is NOT a gender issue. It response to HR communication back to you after an interview, remember you’re dealing with the inept.
HR | Feb 23, 2010
I find it so interesting how everyone on this site blames HR. Some of the interesting quotes on this site are “dumb HR people”, HR people who almost all are female tend to be incompetent:, “sick and tired of dealing with women HR personnel”, To (spelled wrong btw) many woman (also incorrect) in the workforce”…etc, etc. In my Company it’s not HR’s job to hire people. Their job is to screen the thousands of resumes that pour in daily. Resumes of candidates that are clearly not qualified for the positions that they are applying for. I totally understand your frustrations, but stop blaming HR – that is just a catch all dept that gets blamed for everything wrong in a Co. In the majority of situations it’s the hiring mgr that is holding up the process and not giving the recruiters the information that they need to relay back to the candidates. Also, you need to remember that you are not the only candidate calling a recruiter. I do agree that you deserve some type of feedback after any type of interview, but if you’re not hearing anything, then it’s time to move on. In my Co. you get reimbursed for your travel expenses for an interview so you also need to ask about that up front.
Casiano | Mar 9, 2010
I used to be a recruiter for our region’s top staffing agency. When I prepped our candidates for interviews with clients/employers, I told them that how they are treated during the interview process is a reflection of how they will be treated as an employee.
jp | Mar 10, 2010
To the person who knows three languages and graduated with a degree and became an American citizen but cannot find a job: It would really help for you to learn English. You said you did, yet you misspelled countless words. Americans are sick of immigrants taking American jobs when you don’t even take the time to learn the language we use.
floridajobseeker | Mar 11, 2010
The comments from the other posters here are unfortunately all too familiar. I have had great interviews with several companies within the past few months, only to hear absolutely nothing afterward.
Although it is certainly tempting to say that I wouldn’t want to work for a company who would treat anyone so rudely, the reality is that I am not in a position to turn down any decent offer. Even though I’m now 33 years old, I spend a good part of every day feeling like a teenager waiting for a boy to ask me to the prom. If one of these companies called me tomorrow, I can promise you that I would “fall in love” all over again.
Lena | Mar 12, 2010
I’m from Latvia.Now I am looking for a job.It is very difficult.may be not to find, but to do the first step and to win it – an intreview.I do the conslusion, that not only knowledges are important,also to be (how was said) be agressive but courteous
LMN2 | Mar 30, 2010
lousy line of reason, if that could ever be considered one. It’s like how little kids are when foraging through a toy box for this one particular toy. Once they find it, they just leave the mess and go on with play.
HR always preach about proper manners, proper decorum, etc. It’s just sad they don’t practice what they preach.
Larry | May 11, 2010
It is basis business ethic and courtesy to get back to a candidate after an interview. If the candidate had spent several hours for interviewing at the organization, then at least show them you care. Even if it is a negaive outcome, it is best to let them know, rather than leave them guessing. Otherwise how the hell are you going to run a great business? How are you going to take care of your customers? Treat your candidates like you would treat your customers…period. If you don’t even have a few seconds to tell a candidate about the outcome of an interview, how the hell are you going to be an effective manager at work? Don’t live on a candidate’s frustation. Sometimes I am so frustrated with these HR and hiring managers who don’t get back, I want to apply for jobs just for the fun of it and never get back to hiring managers and HR people who want to interview you. Express interest and schedule for an interview and never show up and don’t even inform them. That is the best way to teach these idiots a lesson.
Alex Andrews | May 17, 2010
I disagree with you, and I was in HR for many years. I understand HR is receiving sometimes hundreds of resumes for one position. However, if a candidate goes through the pre-screen process, is further asked to come in for an interview (sometimes several times), only to have no response thereafter, is a reflection on the company and the lack of follow-up skills of the recruiter or hiring manager. A candidate does not need an explanation, just “we have decided to go with another candidate. Perhaps, training of HR in “Emotional Intelligence” is in order in many of these companies.
Larry | May 17, 2010
I have had some success knowing if I’ve been rejected or not. I include a self addressed and stamped post card along with my resume. Some send it out; others won’t
Donnatella | Jun 28, 2010
I began my job search when I was 23 years old. I did not have much experience, then again everyone at some time in their lives must begin at the bottom. I submit resumes, go to interviews (on time and wearing the proper attire), never receive a call back or even a reason why I was not hired. I am now 49 years old. Between age 23 up until now no one would/will hire me. It is so disturbing. One of the things I was told at a few interviews was that the company was highly respected by the BBB. Okay, that still doesn’t explain why I have never been hired. My next stop is homelessness.
Harv | Jun 30, 2010
What gets my goat is that HR often staffs with twentysomething associates who know zero about ascertaining what/who is relevant. It’s very irritating and frustrating when Tiffany or Brittany inform you that you’re not being considered.
Alexandra | Jun 30, 2010
I’m currently in the same boat as many here. I’m moving to another state at the end of the month and I’ve applied to 10 jobs there in the past two months. It’s frustrating not hearing anything despite following up via both e-mail and voicemails…but I have to admit I’m a little surprised by the sense of entitlement so many people seem to have here. I agree with the sentiment that a courtesy response is called for if a lengthy interview has occurred, but a company does not “owe” you anything just because you sent in a resume.
Grace | Jun 30, 2010
Yes I hate this common discourtesy that they all seem to share.
Join this Facebook group and get ourselves heard!
‘I HATE HR MANAGERS WHO DON’T BOTHER REPLYING FOLLOW-UP CALLS OR EMAILS’
From a very frustrated jobseeker.
Anonymous | Jun 30, 2010
I don’t understand being sent an email by prospective employer saying they liked my work samples and would be contacting me the following week to set up an interview, (I did write back a brief note of appreciation and interest in response), then not contacting me whatsoever for the interview! I followed up just over a week later saying I was still interested and I STILL heard NOTHING back! I don’t understand that, as, they TOLD ME they wanted to interview me! I’m really discouraged and disappointed with the lack of manners and compassion in the job hunt today. I appreciate the volume of resumés they receive, but surely, it can’t take that much time for a quick note sent to top candidates keeping people in the loop so they are not LEFT HANGING!!!
Pedro P. Coniconde | Jun 30, 2010
Typical Wall Street/Corporate America HR Department rudeness and arrogance. There is absolutely and positively NO EXCUSE for this kind of behavior widely practice by all companies because whether during good economic times and now bad, it continues to be an acceptable practice for them as to be inconsiderate for our time and effort for looking and applying for the available jobs that they have.
Debbie P | Jul 2, 2010
Jennifer, two of the main problems with people applying for jobs they are not qualified for are:
1. If receiving unemployment, they are REQUIRED to show that they are looking/applying for jobs. If there are no jobs they qualify for then they will apply for just about anything.
2. People are just plain DESPERATE! They may not have had a job or any kind of income for up to 2+ years and NEED something to support themselves or their families.
And it used to be an “employees market” that employers were willing to at least interview the person and maybe find an excellent employee who gives them more than they receive. Today it is a “employers market”, there are many more unemployed than there are jobs available, and so employers can “afford” to be more choosy.
SwimDude | Jul 13, 2010
Simple Steph, in this economy, if you are not getting called back from companies that you applied to where you were qualified for the job, you may become more desperate and be willing to take anything just to get your foot in the door.
Female Recruiter | Jul 13, 2010
Dale Coughlin – you can the egotistical attitude at the door. That is probably the main reason you haven’t been hired. Hateful, negative attitudes will get you no where fast but the bottom of the pile with a recruiter, regardless of gender.
I talk to my candidates, and I’m not afraid to tell them if they didn’t get the position. A lot people lack common courtesy and professionalism, even if they hold a upper management position. If you don’t have time to respond to an email, or phone call, don’t bother being in HR. That’s my personal opinion.
Lynn Baker | Jul 14, 2010
I have been looking for a job for 2 months now. I’m not really why a company can’t get back with you and at least let you know why they didn’tpick you for the position. They want good employees right? Why should anyone want to work for a company that does not even have enough respect for you to return a call or email. If you want good employees or a good company to work for you should have respect for people.
Bree | Jul 18, 2010
I don’t even want a WHY, I just want a one-line e-mail or a less-than-thirty-second phone call saying “Thank you for applying, we chose another candidate, good luck in the future” if you at least went so far as to interview me.
I am still of the mindset that if these people treat their applicants poorly, they will treat their employees poorly. In that case, do I even want to work for them?
I’ve been to 7 interviews in a month and have not received one call back to say yes or no either way. I don’t understand it.
joe | Jul 19, 2010
Dale, Sounds like you have more issues than not being able to land a job. Blame it on women all you want, but I’m a man, and I wouldn’t hire a jerk like you either.
Donna | Jul 26, 2010
I receive over 150 resumes for each open position. Our ad states “no calls please” because if I even took 5 minutes with each candidate, I wouldn’t get anything else done. Candidates who go around the system (calling other managers or HR people) get my attention for all the wrong reasons and end up in the “not qualified” pile. I realize it’s a tough job market, but being a recruiter isn’t a picnic either. I do, however, get back to every candidate I either interview or phone screen and my candidates would back me up on that!
cert | Aug 2, 2010
At the person above me… Sounds like you need more people working if you would never get anything done…
I have 90 active applications and increasing 50 I’m over qualified for and 40 I am qualified for, I’ve had one interview in these last 5 months and 1 phone interview, the in person interview said they would call me and never did. The phone interview sent me a mailing saying I wasn’t qualified for an entry level job… Sigh… I wish some one would just give me a job what the hell is so hard about it I ma a hard worker and can do more than the average person.
cert | Aug 2, 2010
That’s so wrong saying that they don’t owe me the explanation, stop trolling, If I spent over 8 hours un-payed doing tedious work tests ect. then never hear back from the employer you better believe you owe me. I am not on unemployment or welfare and I’m not qualified for either… I’m not doing these applications for a quota… ugh!
djjsin | Aug 4, 2010
I did a phone interview with a pretty well known movie studio that sounded very promising. They told me to call back on tuesday and followup if i hadnt heard anything yet. I did, spoke witht he gentlemen who told me that the process was taking longer then they thought and to give him a call on friday.
I called him friday, no answer…left a message
I called him monday, no answer…left a message
I gave it a break on tuesday..heard nothing
I called him wednesday, no answer….left a message.
What bothers me is the manager TOLD me to call back if i hadnt heard anything. If you tell someone to call back, and they leave you a message, have the fucking common courtesy to return the message and say “we’ve filled the position, or we decided to go a different route”
whats even worse is the phone interview IMO sounded very promising, enough IMO to justify bringing me in for the first imperson interview, since the position is a specialized positiong that is EXACTLY what i do and what i have experience in.
JobMarketTough? | Aug 14, 2010
It is agreed that no response back is rude. Employers hold the cards after all they will pay the weekly paycheck (I’m not implying support for employers).
I hardly think that one day 75 or so resumes hit the HR desks.Poor excuses is all it is. HR already know what the hiring guidelines are and can easily establish a yes or no on the resume. If the shoe fails to fit then say so, even when you have a month to fill a vacant slot or new position.
As far as job seekers go….keep moving along. I believe that if nothing is heard from a application or resume in a week then most likely you have been dusted. Not all jobs are alike and Ive run into some questionable requirements…
Look at it this way..if an employer or HR (to me all the same)gives no response then really think about how they treat their employees (make sense?).
The economy will pick back up and then there will be a lack of candidates to fill the open positions. Your choice what to do with it.
Bottom line in it all, is like it is with anything it’s a cycle viscous or not.
Good Luck to all.
Clay | Aug 22, 2010
I agree that no response is rude, and this can potentially be a sign of an unprofessional corporate culture. I have over 15 years experience in a particular field and recently followed up with a voicemail and email to HR regarding relative position(s) I had applied to with a company. No response at all! I would certainly hope that they do not treat their customers as they do prospective employees.
Stop Blaming HR for Everything | Aug 22, 2010
Many of you who spend your time bashing HR need to see the other side and not judge based on what you don’t know. First of all, you don’t know what it’s like to get 100 resumes within 2-3 days (yes, it does happen, especially over a weekend) and have to sort through all of them only to find out many people just applied to be applying. And to the brilliant person who thinks setting up bogus interviews is getting us back, good luck with that. See I still have a job, but if you are still searching, that’s your stupidity. Not to mention that if you do this in the same general area, you risk us (yes, we do network) sharing our bad experience with our peers. Not to mention it shows how immature you are.
HR people do more than spend the day sorting through resumes and we DO NOT make the hiring decisions. We also do not have time to search to see if we have received your resume just because you call to ask. Don’t feel bad, I tell plenty of recruiters I don’t have time for them either. If you call me, you’ll get a blanket response that we’ll call if we want to speak with you. We would tie up our entire day answering these questions.
I do believe that every person who is interviewed deserves to get a response, whether verbal or in writing. So I always close the loop with any candidate we have interviewed. But I do take offense to those who use derogatory remarks toward all HR representatives. We are individuals, we are not all to be considered rude, incompetent or useless. That’s a generalization that should not be used for people who fall into any category.
I do feel bad for those who have been unemployed for a long time; it’s a horrible situation in which to be. However, you have a lot of competition out there. Someone could always be a better fit with better experience than you or me, so that’s what can happen to your hiring situation.
Also, no one has mentioned what we have to deal with from some applicants. You call them and they become high maintenance (wanting to cut deals with you before they are even interviewed, trying to negotiate salary before they are even interviewed, and several other crazy things). I’ve had applicants want to be told every little specific thing about the job (not the basic needs or requirement) or speak with the hiring manager before they schedule the interview. Isn’t that what the interview is for, to exchange details?
Some applicants (maybe some of the people who posted on this board) don’t even realize how much more work they need to do on their resumes or that they should stop applying for positions for which they are clearly not suited.
So maybe before you start bashing all HR professionals, you should take a look on a case by case basis. As frustrating as it is, and I agree it should not be this way, you are only owed a response if you have received direct communication from the company. Other than that, you should only expect a response if the company is interested. Dealing with this can make the job search process a little easier.
Good luck to you all.
frustrated job seeker | Aug 24, 2010
The thing that gets my goat about HR people is: Don’t put “If you need anything, don’t hesitate too contact me” in your email if your NOT going to get back to me.
I leave a message after a week and a half inquiring about the “status” of the interview, and I hear nothing.. I am assuming its passed, done and I am moving on.
Absolutely frustrating. When I am an employee, if I put “don’t hesitate to contact me” in an email, if you leave me a message, I WILL Get back to you.
Just plain rude.
frustrated job seeker | Aug 24, 2010
and before any of you fiends get on me for “too” instead of “to” in my email its called a typo.
that’s my disclaimer for the “grammar” police on these things.
UnemployedHRD | Sep 1, 2010
I am an unemployed HR Director with 20 years of experience. I got laid off due to “complexing” and have been looking for the “right” job for over a year. I have been on both sides. I agree that it is very difficult to get back to everyone who submits an application/resume. Thus the use of phrases like, “Only candidates in whom there is an interest will be contacted.”
I’ve had 2 face-to-face interviews in the last few months that seemed to go well. I sent my Thank-You notes; even sent an email 10 days later to reiterate my interest. Didn’t hear a thing. I guess I got the clue about one job when I looked at a career website and the position was re-posted.
Follow up on a company’s part is a PR opportunity. And if you’re going to treat me this way as an applicant, then how will you treat me as an employee?
As an HR Professional I ALWAYS followed up with a candidate who interviewed. If an HR person has time to shop on line or chat on Facebook (not that they all do, but I’ve seen my share of goofing off in my 20 years and have goofed off as well), he or she has time to send a scripted email to an applicant or make a brief phone call. Giving bad news is never comfortable, but I can look at myself in the mirror every day because I know I did the right thing.
Patting myself on the back? You’re ding-dang right! If being in HR has taught me anything it’s that we are ALL expendable and I’m not too good sitting in my little HR office to at least respond to someone who is out there beating the pavement and taking their valuable time to interview with me.
Just my two cents worth…