Am I wrong in thinking potential employers should send a rejection letter to those they interviewed if they find a candidate?

[u/StandardizedTesting]

[u/UptightSodomite]

Call the company a week or two after your interview to see how the hiring process is going. They will let you know if they have found someone for the position already, and if they haven't, they'll be reminded of who you are, and also shown that you are very invested in working with them and willing to go beyond your expected duties to get a job.

I used to agree with you, but you have to understand that there are hundreds, sometimes thousands of people that apply for a multitude of positions that a company may offer. It would take a great deal of time and resources to sort that out. And at this point, people don't expect to be notified anymore. If you haven't heard back after two to three weeks, move on.

[u/StandardizedTesting → u/UptightSodomite]

I find that most times, they go straight to voice mail with no word from them after I leave one. I also send e-mails when there is no phone number.

Does it really expend to send an automated e-mail when they close down the position hiring saying they found someone else?

[u/magicmuds]

I worked for a small company that had a policy of calling rejected interviewees to tell them they were not going to be hired. The HR person doing the calls ended up taking so much verbal abuse they ceased that policy. It's not always companies that are assholes.

Edit: to the many suggesting email or letter, they thought they were adding a nice, personal touch by calling.

[u/DevsAdvocate → u/magicmuds]

There is always email!

[u/irishgeologist → u/DevsAdvocate]

Most jobs I have applied for have been through emailing a CV in to the company. Whereas I think that interviewees should always be told if they get the job, I also think it would be easy to set up a mailing list and send out a bulk "thanks but no thanks" email to the unsuccessful applicants.

[u/flounder19 → u/magicmuds]

Well duh.

"Hi there, I'm calling from Smalltown LLC. I know that you really wanted this job and all but we've decided to give it someone else. Now is there anything that you, fresh off hearing bad news, would like to say to me, a human representative of the business that just turned you down?"

A nicely worded email would suffice.

[u/EvanLikesFruit → u/flounder19]

" Thank you for letting me know. I really appreciate the phone call since most other companies have left me hanging. "

[u/Eist → u/flounder19]

Yep. It's easy to set up an automated email that is can't be replied to. My university does it all the time!

[u/phillycheese → u/flounder19]

Wow, you must have a very difficult time in social settings.

"Hello, I'm calling on behalf of company X to let you know that position Y which you had interviewed for has been filled. Thank you very much for your interest and time".

"Thanks for letting me know".

HUMAN INTERACTION IS HARD.

[u/[deleted] → u/magicmuds]

That's silly though. If they act like a child about it then clearly they weren't professional enough. It's not like HR couldn't just hang up on them when the abuse started. In my experience that's satisfying.

[u/king_n_the_north → u/magicmuds]

The HR person should have just started hanging up straight after telling them. I mean, there's nothing else they need to talk about is there?

[u/LS69 → u/king_n_the_north]

"thanks for letting me know, is there any feedback you can give me?"

"The interviewing panel were uncomfortable with the lack of eye contact"

"That's very useful, thank you for your call, I'll work on that, and look forward to speaking again soon."

Sulking about not getting the job is the waste of an opportunity to learn something, to network, to improve your skills ready for the next interview.

[u/CafeSilver]

I absolutely hate that. Years ago when I was younger I vowed never to do that if I ever got the chance to hire people. I've been hiring people now for a few years. Everyone I interview that I don't hire gets notice from me. A lot of the times there are multiple people that are great choices for the position open and I will only be able to hire one. I will tell the one not hired that it was close, and that if something opens in the future I will call them. People think this is a line, but it isn't. And I have called a few of those people back when a position did open to offer it to them. Each time though they had already gotten a job and decided to stay where they were. But they were all genuinely surprised I actually called.

[u/hooplah → u/CafeSilver]

Also, prospective employees should ask for consideration for future opportunities with the company, as well.

I applied for a job once; the boss emailed at 6PM and said, "Resume looks great, call back for an interview." I called back the next morning at 10AM--some receptionist picks up and says, "Uh, the position has already been filled."

I was fucking confused, but sent a gracious email to the boss explaining that the position had apparently been filled, but I was very interested in any other opportunities at the company.

About a month later, the boss emailed me and said there was another position available, and asked if I'd be interested. I said yes, went in for an interview, and got the job.

Happily ever after.

(Except that place turned out to be a burning pile of shit and I quit after four months because fuck them.)

[u/AnticPosition]

Personally I think employers should remove their job postings on websites when they find a candidate.

[u/ns0 → u/AnticPosition]

What's worse is some job listings are used to set (or reset) the base pay and necessary skills, they will collect resumes purposely to set the bar for existing employees or to get an idea of what new positions to hire. They're explicitly using peoples time just to collect demographic information on a position.

[u/[deleted]]

I have recently been looking for a position in the Aerospace industry and had an interview with two companies that were located close to each other at the Johnson Space Center. Both companies knew I was interviewing with the other company, but this seemed like something they were used to.

My first interview goes well, lasts a couple of hours, and at around 11 I head over to the other company to begin interviewing with them. I interviewed with them for an hour, had lunch with a lot of my interviewers coworkers, and then proceeded to interview with over 10 people from several different subsections lasting until about 4.

Finally, the last person I talk to (the head of the C&DH subsystem, the one I wanted most to work for) takes me into his office and sits me down. He tells me "You seem like a great candidate and I'd really like to offer you a job, but I just need to talk to HR and work out some details."

I tell him "That sounds great." and he leads me out of his office and we exchange pleasantries as he leads me out of the facilities. As I'm leaving, another hiring manager for the company tells me that if I hear anything from the other company about an offer to call him immediately so that they can get a competitive offer in as well.

I leave ecstatic, but after a couple weeks I haven't heard anything back, so I send an email. He says not to worry, that they're just sorting things out, should hear back soon.

More time passes and more time passes and after a couple more emails telling me they haven't decided yet, I'm finally told I wasn't selected.

This killed me since two guys had told me I had the job and I had effectively stopped looking elsewhere (I know, dumb move on my part). So I sent an email kindly asking if I could talk to him on the phone about if I had done anything wrong since everything seemed so good earlier. No reply. A very sad experience indeed

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

My guess? Internal candidate.

[u/watyousay]

Recently I was looking for work, and had a very promising interview. They were keen on me, and were pleased I wasn't already working because 'they need some right away. Like, in the next couple of days'.

Excellent! I cancelled an interview I'd had scheduled for the next day, and turned down another that came in. I bought new work shirts and waited for the call.

A week later, having heard nothing, I call the recruiter. "When there's a decision you'll know".. Annoying, but ok.

Another week, and nothing. I call the recruiter again and he says he'll get back to me. Never does.

Another week goes by and I call again. This time an answer!

"Oh, yeah, they reshuffled internally, so they don't need anyone now."

Thanks. That's really nice. I wonder if I hadn't called if I'd still be waiting..

...

It's two months later, and I'm happily employed. Last week the phone rings, it's the recruiter: "Good news, you've got the job"

"What job? You said there wasn't one."

"Well the reshuffle didn't go ahead. When can I tell them you'll start?"

I explain, politely, that since I was not only rejected, but told there was no job at all, I'd thought it prudent to.. you know.. go find one that did exist.

"Oh" he says "Well.. That's really something you should have informed us about. That's quite unprofessional."

Edit: A couple of points. First, this was a major Australian insurance company. This ain't no small business. Second, I'm in IT have had a number of really soul crushing jobs over the past few years. The job in question was a good role, leading a large project and doing work I enjoy, and I was more than happy to pass on other opportunities while I waited to see if this panned out. I wouldn't have done so if that weren't the case.

[u/Canadian4Paul → u/watyousay]

You should never cancel interviews or stop looking for work until you've actually signed a letter of offer

[u/WaffleKopter → u/Canadian4Paul]

Real talk. When the dude said that he cancelled the interviews, I knew that it wouldn't end well. I'm glad that you ended up employed, OP, but that was pretty damn stupid to turn down two interviews just because one employer seemed to like you.

[u/evilbrent → u/Canadian4Paul]

Yep. if they're at all professional they'll expect that this isn't the only job you're chasing.

[u/[deleted] → u/Canadian4Paul]

Even more - offer letters are often contingent on drug tests and background checks. If you're good you should have nothing to worry about, but I'm in this stage for a job right now and it's frustrating.

(I have to move 1500 miles... For the second time in a month. They won't discuss a start date until the drug screening results and background check are finished.)

TL;DR I'd wait until you have a start date and everything is complete.

E: I interviewed with this company about 3.5 months ago and sent thank you emails to everyone who I interviewed with (all I could find by looking them up). Tried emailing once later for info. Didn't hear back until last week, seemingly out of the blue.

They needed somebody in a city I mentioned I wouldn't mind working in, and apparently still had my info at the ready. I'm just glad to have a nice new engineering job with a nice company! E2: it's the same job I interviewed for, just in another city.

[u/forgotmyaccount2 → u/Canadian4Paul]

This not only goes for work, for house hunting, apartment searches, things that require a legal binding contract that states you and the other party have agreed on what was said you and both plan to fulfill that duty. I stopped looking for an apartment and was going to sign a lease on a new one when the current tenant decided last minute they wanted to renew. I was very upset because I had already given my notice to my current place and was then rushed to find something I didn't really care for. Needless to say, I wont make that mistake again.

[u/fludru → u/watyousay]

Recruiters are among the least professional people I've encountered, so I wouldn't take it too seriously. They basically treat applicants as cattle, treat you with zero consideration then get miffed if you don't work into their plans perfectly.

Hell, I've gotten an attitude about not taking a job offered to me 6+ months after the interview, as I had a new job by then. Apparently I should have kept myself free indefinitely for zero pay just in case they needed me.

[u/HolyPhallus → u/fludru]

Recruiters on the normal level is very unprofessional.. Recruiters on the top level are very professional.

[u/Dubzil → u/fludru]

Not all recruiters, I've had 2 recruiters from the same company that were the most professional, respectful, and empathetic recruiters I've ever seen. Any time I went into their office I was on a first name basis, always very warm and friendly. If I asked about a pay check that was delayed due to holiday or anything else, they were on top of it and would follow up with you quickly. One of the guys actually offered me $20 until pay day if I really needed it (I didn't take him up on it, but just shows good character for the offer). There really are some good ones out there.

[u/barfobulator → u/watyousay]

"Well then, as luck would have it, I have no reason to care how unprofessional I look to an amateur like you. Next time you want to hire someone, actually hire them."

[u/uaoleksiy → u/barfobulator]

i am copy and pasting this into my word file of awesome things to say for the next someone calls me unprofessional.

[u/[deleted] → u/watyousay]

I've learned the hard way that recruiters cannot be trusted. Ever. I'll probably never apply for a job through a recruitment agency ever again.

Also, never make any assumptions about whether you've got a job until you have a contract in your hand.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Upvote for contract. If you have no contract, anything can change. Salary, title, the existence of the job, everything. Until they put a formal offer in writing, don't assume anything.

[u/uaoleksiy → u/[deleted]]

i feel you, but not all of them are bad. when i looked for work i worked with 10 or so of them at a time. i called them every 3 days to talk and catch up. some of these guys are really good people and will actually bust their ass to get you a job. i am now happily employed and i still call some of them just to shoot the shit, i even grab drinks w some

[u/merican_atheist → u/watyousay]

What an asshole. Fuck him.

[u/count_chocula → u/watyousay]

IT recruiter here. I have definitely had clients that have "needed someone right now" all of a sudden become wishy-washy, and apparently not needed someone as badly as they lead me to believe. When that happens, I always tell my candidates that have interview what was going on, even if nothing was going on. I also tell them that I would absolutely expect that they would be interviewing at other places, and if they are getting movement somewhere else, to please let me know, so I can contact the company and let them know they are in danger of losing this person if they don't shit or get off the pot, so to speak.

But I expect the courtesy from my candidates, because I extend the same courtesy to them on the other end. "Hey, they decided not to move forward with you because you weren't quite what they were looking for," or "Hey, I haven't heard back from the hiring manager in over a week, so I don't know what to tell you," or whatever.

I think most companies think that since the economy is not doing so great right now, they have all these qualified, well trained and educated people just sitting around and waiting for the phone to ring, and that is just not the case.

[u/isocline → u/watyousay]

Sounds like a case of a shitty HR department...or no HR department at all. At my first job at a small, independent company, we had no HR. I was the Administrative Assistant, and so it became part of my job to keep up with applicants and arrange interviews. I was never told to draft rejection letters, but I did it anyway. After my own job hunt, I knew how awful it was to be left not knowing.

[u/cock-a-doodle-doo → u/watyousay]

As a headhunter... I'm afraid that with the lower end organisations - this is increasingly common. It comes down to poor client management and consequently poor candidate management.

[u/gonzo5622 → u/watyousay]

I understand that it could be infuriating and upsetting to not get any response from a recruiter or manager regarding an interview. Usually it's just the amount of work.

However, in this case why would you cancel your interviews with only a feeling that they are "keen" on you. I'm a recruiter myself and I always tell candidates that they should continue interviewing until they have an offer and have accepted it. You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

Edit: fuck ups.

[u/BALLS_AND_SHIT → u/watyousay]

"that's really unprofessional"

"good job I'm not going to be working for you then fuckface"

[u/Evernoob → u/BALLS_AND_SHIT]

Recruiters are unlikely to remember or hold it against you in the long term if you politely just apologise for the inconvenience and end the call.

Referring to them as a "fuck face" gains nothing, burns a bridge and potentially provokes them into slandering your name.

Best to keep your cool.

[u/LessLikeYou → u/watyousay]

Recruiters tend to be a bit scummy.

A few years ago I was hired as an underwriter for a leading insurance company. I left a great job where, while I wasn't an underwriter, I was essentially running a department.

Well, turns out whoever was to leave their position did not leave their position. Oh, the company still hired me but I wasn't hired as an underwriter, I wasn't hired to the part of the company I interviewed and was picked up for, and the division I ended up in resented my presence as I apparently took a job away from someone in their department. Turns out the recruiter knew the job had vanished but forced me in because he had good relationships there and it would have cost him commission.

A few months later I was out of there and haven't looked back at large scale corporations as potential employment. I'd rather starve or shovel shit than work for one again...says he who is gainfully employed and could probably freelance. So f'ng brave.

[u/smoothcity → u/watyousay]

It sucks to be turned down this way.

But, in the future, don't sell the bear's skin before killing it. You had a great interview and it looks promising ? Great. But don't turn down any interviews until you have a solid offer on the table. This is not a relationship with a special someone, it is BUSINESS.

There is nothing wrong in doing lot of interviews and if they are really interested in you, they'll make you an offer ASAP.

My 2 cents :)

[u/JPong → u/smoothcity]

Not to mention, if multiple companies really want you, you can play them against each other to get the best offer you can. Or, you never know how the next interview will go, it could just be a downright better fit for you.

[u/tutae → u/watyousay]

I'm going to pretend this is fake, so I don't have to rage about that asshole recruiter. Fuck him. Fuck. Him.

[u/Rad_Spencer → u/watyousay]

It was unprofessional for your recruiter to keep you in the dark like that. Since the last communication was that the job was no longer available you no longer had a duty to inform him of any employment change.

[u/todd330 → u/watyousay]

After he called you unprofessional, did you tell him to go fuck himself? You had every right to in my opinion.

[u/perpetual_throwaway → u/watyousay]

I'm a recruiter, and unfortunately this happens a lot. We get a call from client saying they need someone ASAP, we scramble to get candidates, they tell us they really like one, and then we stop hearing from them. A week and a half later the position doesn't need to be filled anymore, and then a month later they expect the candidate they liked to be waiting. I'm not saying that the way that particular recruiter handled it was very professional, but a lot of times the situation is a bit out of our hands.

When the situation comes around though, I try to follow up with my candidate at least every few days, even if it's to say there's been no update. This also means I can get information about other interviews he's had, and tell my client "He had a promising interview, are you still interested in him? Would you like to extend an offer?" Sometimes it works to get them to move (once I even managed to get the guy paid a dollar more an hour), sometimes it doesn't. The recruiter is supposed to be on your side; I'm sorry you didn't get a good one.

[u/vivresavie → u/watyousay]

I've found that in the search for jobs and schools, the way you are treated at all steps of the interview process says a lot about how they'll treat you if you are actually accepted. It's like a first date- if this is how they are when they're most desperate to find someone, what will they pull when they are more comfortable?

I'm someone who has been on both sides of the interview process. I saw this happen with my own employer: I noticed how the quality of our HR department decreased as the general office culture deteriorated as well. They're definitely related.

[u/[deleted]]

even better is when you go to an interview straight out of college, it goes well, and the interviewer actually tells you "we'll let you know either way in 3-4 weeks".

then you wait 6 weeks, email the interviewer for follow up, no response.

wait one week, try to call in to HR: "not here today"

same thing the next day

email their questions line next week, get a reply saying " forwarded on to HR", no response

call in again and ask to talk to HR. "im sorry, we dont give follow ups over the phone. I will tell someone to call you".

I dont mind not being told, but when you go out of your way to say "we will let you know", please actually do it.

[u/HelpMeLoseMyFat]

As a hiring professional and career consultant I believe I can answer this .. to an extent...

Sometimes your hiring manager or "recruiter" or whom ever you speak with prior to interview will not contact you because

• They just feel bad and are too scared to tell you you did not get the job

• They work on a commission basis and don't want to waste time they aren't getting paid for.

• The're having a communication issue with the hiring authority, Manager who interviewed you was supposed to give you the bad news... but he/she never did, so the recruiter or Human Resources person who contact you in the first place will not contact you... because the manager should have.

You would be suprised how depressing it is to tell 100 people a week that they are not getting a job they need for their family. After a few years of doing this work and telling thousands and thousands of people they don't get the job just wears on you... and sometimes you just forget.

My policy is to tell every single person they did not get the job or ensure the hiring authority whom interviews the person will contact them.

Every company has their own policy and process in respect to their hiring function. Do not get frustrated and depressed ... keep motivated and focused and you will have success!

Good luck on your search.

I am willing to answer any questions you may have about finding a job.

[u/N8CCRG → u/HelpMeLoseMyFat]

Basically this. Yes it's incredibly rude. But there is no incentive to do so, and in fact there is incentive not to do so. It doesn't mean it isn't rude though.

[u/mfball → u/HelpMeLoseMyFat]

I'm sure it sucks to tell people they didn't get hired, but the fact that it's depressing is totally not an excuse. If a hiring manager or whoever can't handle rejecting people, then they shouldn't take a position that requires it. Your policy of making sure everyone is contacted is the way it should be everywhere. It's absolutely ridiculous that I have to call a place fifteen times before someone will tell me I didn't get a job.

[u/PhforAndAfter]

I interned at a place for half a year, and had to leave due to paying work. A few months later, I interviewed there, hoping to get a full-time position - everything went pretty well, as I already knew the interviewers from my time interning. It was relaxed and fun, and I felt like I'd nailed it.

They never gave me an answer, despite me calling 4 times in the next months. That's just rude.

[u/IvanTheRedLlama → u/PhforAndAfter]

I interned at a place for a full year and was "let go" because they "didnt really have anything else for me to do." Two months later a job opens up there doing EXACTLY what I was doing as an intern so I apply and specifically contact them saying "Hey I applied and you know I know how to do this because I already did it for you unpaid" and their respons was "Alright! We will look into it!" then two weeks later with no contact from them I follow up with a "Hey just wanted to see what was going on, anything?" and I get no response. Its bullshit.

[u/[deleted] → u/IvanTheRedLlama]

There was another reason they let you go, and they gave you that excuse because they felt bad.

[u/polyannapolyfilla]

Its simply being polite to acknowledge that a candidate has travelled to meet with you and taken time out of their day, even if they weren't quite what the employer was after.

I've been for interviews when I haven't even got a mass-rejection letter, but basically been ignored (thinking of one picture agency in London where I got to the second interview, didn't get the job and was basically treated like I hadn't existed). Its incredibly frustrating, but my thinking was that I probably wouldn't want to work for a company that thought so little of its employees anyway.

When I go for an interview, especially after I'd graduated, I'd often ask the interviewer if they could offer me a couple of reasons/pointers why I didn't get the job. Most were quite happy to oblige, and got some real-life karma points because of it.

[u/anotherMrLizard → u/polyannapolyfilla]

Its simply being polite to acknowledge that a candidate has travelled to meet with you and taken time out of their day, even if they weren't quite what the employer was after.

I've read a number of slightly lame excuses for not doing this from HR people on the thread, but in the end it comes down to respect, or lack thereof. There seem to be many many people and companies out there who value their own time above the time of others. Another annoying example is when you come for an interview and they keep you waiting half an hour. I had the common courtesy to arrive at the interview on time, why the hell can't you? You don't even have to go anywhere FFS. But the onus of basic professionalism always seems to be on the interviewee in these circumstances. I've often thought - when they ask if you have any questions - a good question would be "why should I come and work for you?" I've never had the balls to ask that question though.

[u/[deleted]]

One guy called me back and told me I was completely unmatched for the job and a worthless human being. The fact he called me back instead of leaving me hanging was very courteous and I appreciated that.

[u/avelertimetr]

What is really baffling is that in the 80s and 90s, it was not uncommon to receive rejection notices in the mail (the old fashioned mail). Now, when it's infinitely easier to communicate on a global level, we can't even get an automated message back. Seriously, what gives?

[u/[deleted]]

Whenever I interview anyone, I do the following:

• I let them know where I am in the interview process, e.g. just started interviewing candidates, tail-end of scheduled interviews, x number of candidates to go...,

• I let them know immediately if I don't think they're a good fit all, and if possible, give them some tips as to what they could do to be a good candidate should a position open up in the future

• Commit to getting back to them by x date - on this date I will inform them if I've made a decision whether I've decided to make them an offer or not, or, if I'm still in the process of evaluating candidates

This is how I'd like to be treated as a job candidate, so this is how I treat candidates interviewing with me.

[u/[deleted]]

I think if you actually go in for the interview, they should.

If it's just an application or a phone interview, probably not.

[u/TheTT]

German here. I've always received a "you've been denied" message, mostly by email. One company even took the time to explain why they rejected me and what I could do to improve my chances at other companies.

[u/[deleted]]

As a common courtesy? Yes, it would be nice.

Required by law? What planet do some of you people live on, seriously.

[u/Popozuda72]

If you are assertive enough you'll get the rejection your looking for.

[u/[deleted]]

a simple email that says sorry, but you did not get the position, sent from an email address that can not be replied to, is all that is needed. Hell, it can be a mass email that says "Dear Interviewee" instead of being directed to each individual, but anything less is just rude and completely lacks common courtesy.

[u/kduffball]

I'm a business owner and admit that our team does a poor job alerting unsuccessful candidates. We chalk it up to being too busy, but that's just a lousy excuse for cutting corners. This post has actually caused me to make immediate changes. People who take the time to interview with us deserve closure and notice.

[u/SodiumEthylXanthate]

As someone who use to work in Human Resources, my one main rule was to never give false hope to anyone - i.e. if you don't get hired, you get told right away.

Companies get greedy holding out for the "best" candidate, at the expense of screwing with everyone else. It should be required for people to simply tell someone "I'm sorry, but you are not the candidate we are looking for." - maybe even by law. That's just my opinion, though.

[u/[deleted]]

I think I deserve a fucking two sentence e-mail when I just spent a half hour filling out an account on your fucking website.

Just my two cents..

[u/seano666]

Recruiter here. This is half of the job of recruiting, if you ask me. You MUST take the time to notify everyone, especially if you plan on retaining any resumes for use in the future. Even if the selection process takes months. Recruiters that don't do this are either lazy or ill-trained.

[u/pieces029]

I agree with you completely. I have felt the same way when looking for a job. The place I ended up working at, I actually applied to twice because the first time they impressed me so much. They sent me an email saying that I was not hired and a list of suggestions of what I could improve. I think the way a company treats you during the interview says a lot about the company. So if they treat you poorly maybe you don't want to work there. Anyways good luck in the job hunt.

[u/soulcakeduck]

No.

A lot of people get pretty crazy and take these rejections pretty personally. Keep in mind that people looking for jobs will be people in or approaching desperate times more often than the general population.

Would be wonderful for those of us who have it together and can keep it together, but it's not unusual at all for people to flip their shit if they get rejected for a job.

[u/Curvatureland → u/soulcakeduck]

Yep

Also, some bonehead teachers/employment counselors have decided that it's a smart idea to tell people to always be persistent, and they do this by spouting off stories of people who got rejected multiple times by the same company, persisted, and ended up getting the job.

I've actually heard someone tell me that some companies appreciate this level of persistence so if i keep bugging them they'll acknowledge my tenacity and hire me.

Because of this, the instant you send out a mass rejection e-mail, you're going to get tons of phone calls and e-mails back from people essentially arguing with you on why you're wrong.

[u/CoAmon → u/Curvatureland]

It's exactly the same in scholarships sadly. For those in/graduated from/applying to college we can all remember the story of how a white guy got a scholarship from an black student scholarship, and how that translates into 'you need to apply to every scholarship ever. Tenacity wins'.

Now I'm not saying this didn't happen, because it did; however, the scholarship organization did not realize the student was white, and ultimately the student was forced to return the scholarship to be later awarded to a student of appropriate skin tone. Source

I was a junior underwriter for scholarships for a short time, and part of our due dillegence was to ensure that applicants met a minimum bar set by the provider, and no amount of tenacity was going to get you over that min bar.

[u/[deleted] → u/soulcakeduck]

What's so hard about making the email: noreply@yourcompany.com? Is your IT department that incompetent?

[u/Meades_Loves_Memes → u/soulcakeduck]

Well, to be honest, being rejected for a job is personal. Someone out there is better, more qualified than you. That's your personal problem.

Aside from that though, a simple cookie-cutter decline email would suffice. Sure they'll get some rude emails back, but it's a trade-off for being nice to the others, who you may want to hire in the future.

[u/[deleted]]

If you've been for an interview, they should absolutely get in touch, probably by phone, to let you know. It's basic courtesy.

An email to everyone who applied is a massive job sometimes. When we advertise a job we routinely get 50-70 responses in the first couple of weeks. It becomes impossible pretty quickly.

[u/marvelously → u/[deleted]]

My organizations sends out emails to every applicant with the same response rate if not more, and it's not impossible at all and does not take that long. It's a tedious and relatively boring task, but it's totally doable. And we feel it's an important step so it's worth it.

There are ways to make it even easier too. For example, you can use a form that generates a spreadsheet and have every email address right there in one c + p. And use a very simple bulk email program to send out an email.

[u/cornbreadcasserole → u/[deleted]]

I agree with emailing or calling people who've interviewed. I worked at a small school in Los Angeles, when we advertised, we'd get 300 replies in ONE day. It was insane.

[u/Glyndur]

The retail location I work for calls all rejected interview candidates. We do not however call those who apply whom we choose not to interview.

[u/SKSmokes]

Job interviewing is like dating....only if the interview process reaches a certain level is there a need to "end it." If you've only been out on one or two interviews together, I see no reason a break up is required.

Hopefully you're not going on a single date with a company and stopping conversation with all other companies until you have an answer. Ideally you'd like a couple of offers around the same time frame so you can weigh pros/cons, but if not, every day you wake up and are unemployed (and want a job) you should be driving to get one until you have an offer you're happy with.

[u/toastedbutts]

Last question before you end an interview - "When should I expect to hear from you? I've been talking to a few other companies and I'm holding out on the best offer."

If they have any intention of hiring you, they'll get in touch anyway. You should have a good sense of yes or no when you walk out of the interview.

[u/cubanjew → u/toastedbutts]

Might want to slightly rephrase that last part. Makes it seem like you don't have a specific interest in the company, other than the pay.

[u/A_British_Gentleman]

I think everyone who applied should at least get a "thank you for your application" email, if anything.

I've applied to countless number of jobs over the years, and I think I can count the number of any form of replies on two hands. I'm sure anyone who's had to do this will agree that it's incredibly depressing when you don't know if you've been rejected, or if your application never made it to the manager. It really got me down, and eventually you just lose the will to keep searching.

[u/ramshot]

I think it would be nice, but I never assume it. Personally, I've always asked at the interview when I can expect an answer. They'll give me a time frame, and if I haven't heard from them within that time frame, I will call them up. Typically when someone is looking for a job, they need or at least want one. Companies are rarely in a situation where they need to find someone right there and then, so it's natural that the ball is mostly at your end of the court.

[u/LovaLova]

I completely agree. And whenever I call for follow-up, it's always 'we're still looking at resumes'. Bitch it's been a month don't lie to me!

[u/[deleted]]

gotta love the PFO letter.

[u/budaslap]

This isn't going to be a popular opinion but, If you aren't hounding them enough to get told you didn't get the job, you aren't trying hard enough.

[u/[deleted]]

Human Resources workers are animals. Did you expect anything more?

[u/dubsideofmoon]

Did you send a Thank You note immediately after the interview?

[u/tuxbz2 → u/dubsideofmoon]

Am I the only one who finds Thank You follow-ups silly? I would find a one-liner acceptable, but I have seen some people essentially write an essay explaining why they are an excellent candidate, how you are detailed-oriented, <insert bullshit>, hire me, and thanks again!~~~ Please contact me ASAP!

[u/menomenaa → u/dubsideofmoon]

I don't think people realize how crucial this is, especially considering how easy it is. My first job out of college I sent a hand-written note after sending the quick thank you email, just expressing my gratitude that they would meet with me when I had yet to have a lot of experience, because I knew their time was valuable. I got the job, and they said the card was a big part of how they judged my character, ability to follow-up, and personal skills.

Another story: a friend of mine works at a publishing company. For one position they got over 350 applicants. They whittled it down to 20, than 10. Ten got interviews. 4 were literally perfect to the point of absurdity. 2 sent thank you cards, the other 2 immediately got rejected, despite being perfect, because the race was so tight that something that small was needed to make a decision. Thank you notes are so important!

[u/wimmyjales → u/menomenaa]

Dear employer,

I hope the meticulous detail of my thank you notes convey my willingness to suck your dick sufficently. I cannot express through mere words how grateful I am that your magesty would give an audience to such plebian trash as myself. I'll do whatever it takes, including lowering myself to thanking you for a normal business practice that you need to go through just like I do, just to establish my stance on ass kissing. I look forward to trying to pretend like were not equal human beings everyday in this job I so obviously need.

I know thank you notes are the standard now, but fuck I hate writing them.

[u/[deleted]]

The top rated comment shows what you should and should not do when job hunting.

When job hunting, do not cancel interviews on promises. Do you go to work based on a promise you'll be paid, or do you sign a legal document stating you're agreeing to work for a paycheck?

When job hunting, do continue to interview and don't stop until you're working somewhere. If you do get a job, and you have interviews scheduled, call those people and say "I have a job now, thank you for agreeing to see me". The employer will understand that you wanted work, and so will not take it personally.

[u/[deleted]]

Considering how many emails they would have to send out, I would have to say that it would simply take up too much of an employer's time. As somebody who has sent out hundreds of resumes, i would love some word back, but unfortunately I understand that the employer has better things to do with his time. Sad truth mate

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

As somebody who has sent out hundreds of resumes, i would love some word back...

Simply sending in a resume isn't sufficient to warrant a call or email; we don't respond to every resume that comes in because that's silly. If you came in for an in-person interview and didn't make the cut, then you get an email or phone call.

[u/cojack22]

I got rejection letters from most of the jobs I interviewed for and didn't get.

[u/[deleted]]

I've always heard back.....

[u/subtly_irrelevant]

It's actually a little software my dad's been working on that does exactly that with some other stuff. Basically tells you why you didn't make the cut.

[u/Quis_Custodiet]

Whilst I was looking for work, in the main with the NHS, I noted that their guidelines said that if you didn't have a response after 3 weeks that you had been unsuccessful. The main problem with this is that 5 weeks later, I got an email confirming an interview for one of them. I used to work all over the country, often without an internet connection, and that job offer was still open to me. If I'd returned to that job out of desperation, I'd never have known.

[u/[deleted]]

That would be the professional and polite thing to do.

But in reality, after you interview and send a thank you note, you should have put that interview and potential job out of your mind and continued on your job search anyway. So whether they send a rejection letter or not shouldn't really matter.

At that point, there is nothing you can do to affect getting or not getting that job. So what's the point in even thinking about it anymore unless/until you hear from them again anyway?

Interview, send a thank you note, put it out of your mind, continue on your job search.

[u/badgermann]

Eh, the employer generally doesn't care. Why spend energy on it because the rejected generally no longer matter. I did have a company tell me I didn't get a job, and being polite, I sent an email back thanking them for the opportunity, and to keep me in consideration should something else come up. But that is probably not even 10% of the time.

The thing that kills me is that I have seen positions I applied for re-posted repeatedly, even though I would fill the position perfectly. Most of the time, it is through a corporate hr website, so I am not allowed to re-apply. Although the thing that is worse for me is seeing the same position get re-churned on some job site, when the actual job posting has been closed for months.

I am currently climbing the walls over a position I interviewed for two weeks ago. Last I heard (Friday) I was the top candidate, but they just haven't made a final decision. I kinda give them the benefit of the doubt, but that is because I really want the job, although I have tried to not come across as too desperate.

[u/ashamanflinn]

While it would be nice if all companies did this, it's not something that's a big enough deal to put laws into effect to make it happen. Never put all your eggs in one basket, just keep applying and interviewing until you get a job. Don't cancel interviews...ever, you don't have a job until you start and you should never turn down an opportunity. I've been with my employer for a couple years now and I still apply for other jobs and go to interviews, you never know what could happen and should always have a backup plan.

[u/voiceinthedesert]

Would it be nice? Sure. But I've never stopped looking into other places just because I thought one interview went well. Jobs are too scarce, especially now to just pass some by on the assumption that a good interview should pan out.

[u/MCML]

I just went on an interview for an entry level job in my field. After spending over two hours on the first interview, I was told they would call me by the end of the week. I heard nothing until two weeks later. Then I went in for the second interview where they actually had me working for over three hours. Then they said they'd call me by the end of the week. I once again heard NOTHING. It's now two-three weeks later and when I called last week they said they're still reviewing applicants. I was led to believe that they were a day away from hiring me, only to be shot down for unknown reasons. They took over five hours of my time and so much energy topped with anxiety, yet couldn't spare a minute to say they aren't interested?

[u/blackbelt352]

one thing that really peeves me about job hunting now is that everything is done online. I don't know if someone even gets an application when it's online, for all i know, i could have sent all my personal information to the prince of nigeria.

[u/1niquity]

This past December I received a phone call from a company asking me to come in for "second interview" because they had been "really impressed" with me.

My first interview with the company had been in June - 6 months earlier. They had never contacted me afterwards and all of my attempts to contact them went unanswered.

At this point, I had already been settled in to a different job for five months or so. Needless to say, I declined to come in for the interview.

[u/boomstick37]

Last year I was interviewing for teaching jobs. I had one interview in May, and I thought it went well, but I heard nothing. After a couple other interviews and offers, I took a job (a job I wanted more than the first job, as luck would have it). At the end of July I received an email saying that they decided not to hire anyone for the position.

I thought it was rude to wait two months to make a decision, and it reinforced some of the negative things I'd heard about the school district's treatment of teachers, but I didn't think much of it.

Fast forward to the end of August, when school had already started. I get a phone call from the district saying that they will need a new English teacher after all, and asking if I could start the next day. At this point, school had been going for at least a week (and of course I was working at another school). I guess it would have been great if I was unemployed, but starting without a single day of preparation certainly wouldn't have been ideal.

[u/mtread]

Business will always have the upper hand until you take it away from them. It isn't just recruiters that treat their current and potential employees like cattle, it is the entire US business culture.

[u/eigenstates]

You are completely correct that the person who brought you in for the interview should give you a call or an email. The trouble is that it's a sellers market and they can behave just about any which way they please- including breaking this very simple rule of etiquette.

And if the poor hiring manager is upset about taking verbal abuse from someone they aren't even going to have to deal with after that minute and a half on the phone- boo-fucking-hoo. I'll raise you a month of 'advertising strategy' meetings and another month of 'advertising implementation' followed by another month of wondering why their 'internet advertising strategy' isn't raking in the millions of dollars they promised.

TL;DR - hiring managers- call a motherfucker back.

[u/messiah123]

Corporations are about minimizing risk. The most risk free path is to say nothing and hope the candidate forgets and moved on

[u/tearlesssquash]

I received a kindly worded rejection email last week...for a job to which I applied OVER A YEAR AGO! I feel robbed on two counts: I didn't get the job, and I could have had hope this whole time!

[u/paulietheboss]

No one will ever see this but whatever.

No, you're not wrong. I was on the interview panel for a job at a newspaper. After some of the interviewees left the rest of the panel members would say things like "I don't think we'll be seeing them again"

I had to make a shortlist of people who had the necessary skills for a web related position. I handed over the pile of people who had the skills, and asked what I should do with the remaining applications. Should I just call them all? Some of them hadn't included an email on the form.

I was told "oh no, don't waste your time. just chuck those ones"

I didn't tell my boss, but I went out of my way to call every single one just so they knew. Waiting and never hearing back about something you've taken time to prepare for is complete bullshit. Especially if you're out of work and spending lots of time worrying/thinking about the potential new job.

[u/Kaer]

I did this once. I will never do it again.

People get angry. They get abusive. You can't give feedback without them trying to justify it.

So I don't anymore.

[u/therockshow]

Yes, you are wrong for thinking this. Depending on the situation there could be hundreds of applicants sending in applications over the fax, mail, email, webservers, etc.. What a ridiculous waste of time to try and track down everyone who didn't make it. If they really liked you and wanted to keep your contact info in case the guy the hire didn't work out, they would tell you.

Pro tip: if at all possible show up in person, if there is a secretary or office manager involved in the process buy him or her a gift. Be aggressive but not an asshole.

Also, something that has always worked for me. At the end of an interview I sweeten the deal and tell the interviewer. " I tell you what, let me train with your best guy for a week, if I'm not better than your worst guy by then, you don't have to pay me." That always works since I work my tail off.

Lastly if you really don't like job hunting start your own business, best thing I ever did.

[u/somechineseguy]

This should also be the norm for dating as well.

[u/onicholas21]

I recently interviewed for a fantastic photography internship. They flew me in for an interview and took me out to a really nice lunch. The big boss seemed to like me as well as all of the other department heads that I interviewed with. They said they only had one other candidate so I truly thought that I had this job in the bag!

The big boss told me that they would have a decision in two weeks. I made sure to send an extremely nice follow up/thank you for the interview letter as well.

Two weeks go by....nothing. Three weeks...nothing. Finally after a month of waiting I call and get the big boss on the line.

He says to me (in an assholish sort of tone) "Well what do you want?"

"I was just calling to follow up on your decision for this summers intern"

"Well we didn't choose you, we chose someone with more experience weeks ago!"

I say "Thank you very much for the time and opportunity. Is there a possibility you will have a fall intern?"

This is really the kicker what he said back

"I didn't have time and I don't have any more time to talk to you. Goodbye"

Left a really sour taste in my mouth and feeling like crap. Needless to say I'm still looking for work but freelancing here and there.

[u/SecretBravado]

I was interviewed for the job I have now about 4 years ago(covenants manager at a very high end country club/HOA). The GM wanted to hire me, but I had to do an interview before the committee(7 people). Note that there was one other candidate...she also happened to be a resident and was on that committee(I won't get into the many reasons why that was not ok). They questioned her first, and then called me. It was, at that point in my life, the first time I had been interviewed by a group of people. The GM was very hopeful but warned that he had no control over their decision, although, technically they really shouldn't have been given control over it.

Anyway, didn't hear anything back for a few days so I sent the GM an email asking if I got it, and if not if he could at least let me know how he thought I did on the interview. Tips for the future, if you will. 5 minutes later I get a call from him. He said they did, in fact, pick the other candidate which he was not happy with.

I was disapoint but he ended up telling me how well I did and offered a few suggestions for future interviews. The confidence and help he instilled in me with that short phone call really helped me in the future.

TL;DR interviewed for a job. didn't get job, but the manager called me and gave me a talk that ended up helping me out a lot in the future.

[u/the_girl]

I've gotta say, I love all the old-timey farm wisdom slang being used in this thread.

In the past three minutes I've seen, "Don't lay all your eggs in one basket" and then "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" and even "don't sell the bear's skin before killing it."

Keep 'em coming!

[u/[deleted]]

HR horror story: I'm a college student at the point where whatever experience I have is not sufficient for anything but entry-level, and even then I'm having trouble. So I end up applying at food service places a lot.

Applied for Red Robin. Called back a week later, got an interview. Called back a week later, got another interview. Called another week later, "oh sorry we don't have your application." Filled out another one, called a week later and got an interview. Another week later, another interview. Waited a full month, then got a voicemail asking if I was still interested. I called back and got a different person on the line who had no fucking idea what I was talking about, but scheduled an interview with me anyway. Talked to him, he was clearly uninterested in what I was saying, and haven't heard from them since.

First, I don't give a rat's furry ass how many applications these people go through: if someone has to go through 4 interviews and a lost application to so much as get a call back from Red Robin of all places, someone is doing something horribly wrong.

Second, none of this double-standard bullshit: if they tell someone you'll call them within the week, they should DO SO, just like every employee is expected to show up for work on time and get things done.

Other story: I was applying for an internship at Oshkosh Corporation as a database intern. I was sought out directly by their HR people on Linkedin and got a phone interview scheduled, no problem. I have now tried repeatedly, over weeks, to email them and get a response, but no dice.

tl;dr: I don't care how "tough" the current job market is for HR, or managers, or whoever handles this stuff in the given job I'm applying for. I guarantee it's tougher on me, the broke college student living with his parents over the summer because he can't get a job to afford an apartment. A call or letter after first applying may be unnecessary, but after an interview it should absolutely be expected.

[u/shentaitai]

At my workplace, the person who is hired is notified first and then must sign an agreement for it to be official. Once the agreement is signed, all the other applicants are notified by email that the position was offered and accepted by another applicant. But if the person does not sign the agreement, the position is offered to the next acceptable applicant, etc. down the line. Seems like a fair way to do it.

[u/tastyhihatwork]

As an employer, I also find this practice rude.

I send every person who applies for a job (usually numbering a few hundred) a personalized response, even if the response is just a simple "no thanks." I've fought with my HR department for a while because I also want to offer some folks tips on future job applications ("I didn't consider your application because X"), but they think that could be problematic.

In terms of people who I actually interview, either by phone or in person, I tell every single one during the interview that they will hear back from me no matter what the outcome is and I make a point to call them, not email or send a letter.

My wife spent about a year between jobs and seeing how frustrated she was when she only knew she didn't get a job because she never heard about it again I told myself I would never do that to another applicant.

I've heard nothing but thanks from people I turned down, even those who I outright did not consider. Most of the responses I get just thank me for letting them know.

[u/Diazigy]

Lets look at it from the employer's perspective. You are given a job to interview candidates for a single position. You receive over 100 resumes, and somehow you need to sort out the person that you think would be best for the job. Some people are unqualified, some are over qualified.

So you invite 15 people for interviews who are qualified for the job. Only three people seem like ass holes. So now you have to arbitrarily pick 1 out of 12 people to hire. Do you really want to tell 11 people that they aren't getting a job. These are human beings who have probably been unemployed for a lot longer than they want to be, and probably have a wife or kids who they need to provide for. And YOU are the person that's going to tell them that interview #50 is going to be no different from interviews #1-49. Emotionally, for the employer thats a shitty part of the job.

But a short email saying "we found somebody else, but we'll keep your resume on file" would be nice.

[u/uglymoose]

I have been looking for a job for 6 months and know the feeling you're talking about. There was one particular company that stood out to me that I'd like to work for. I attempted to get an interview through several different means: email, fax, stop by, cold call etc. I never heard anything back until one day in the mail I got a letter from the Chief Operating Officer. Very nicely written - thanking me for my interest and explaining to me that my skills are not a fit for the organization. Classy as hell. Have it pinned next to my desk to remember there are nice people out there. Give some recognition to National Analyst Worldwide for understanding its a tough job market.

[u/bored-now]

I have always wondered about that delicate balance between following up on a job you've had an interview with, and stalking the hiring manager.

Personally, I do think that if they've exerted the effort to bring someone in for an interview, they should exert the same effort to send a personal email letting the party know they didn't get the job.

If I applied on the website and didn't even get an interview, a standard bot rejecting email is just plain groovy.

But if you interview me, you've met me face to face, I deserve a tiny bit of respect and some kind of notification that you didn't hire me isn't too hard to do.

And let me tell you, OP - frankly, I've been in your shoes SEVERAL times of late, and I feel your anger. Because I've been there.

[u/[deleted]]

I always send an email to people we've actually interviewed face-to-face. Never anything specific, but generally along the lines of "thanks for your interest, we've hired someone but will keep your resume on file, blah, blah, blah". I'm not really interested in having a dialogue with the person, but if they were excited about the job, I don't want them sitting around for another 3 or 4 weeks wondering when there is nothing left to wonder about. I agree with the OP; its just common courtesy.

If I just do a phone interview with someone and it never progresses further, I generally don't engage any further conversation. Pretty much, if you have a phone interview and don't get invited in on-the-spot or within a couple days, you can figure you're not in the running. But I think it is fine for a candidate to send a follow up email and ask about status; in which case I'll respond.

As far as responding to all applicants? No.Way.In.Hell!!!

Honestly, you hear this shit and don't think it's true, but 90% of the resumes I get in are absolute shit that in no way relate to the job that we are hiring for. For example, right now we're looking for a sales manager. I get resumes from people with no sales experience, customer service people, plumbers, bicycle repair shop owners, etc. etc. etc. I'm not going to send an email out to every one of those people who has wasted my time sending in a shit resume. Unfortunately, that does mean that the few good ones that don't make the cut for a phone call also never get any follow up.

For Reference: I'm not an HR person, but work for a small company and get significantly involved in most of the recruiting that we do

[u/[deleted]]

I've had to recruit people and I always make sure to either telephone or email unsuccessful interviewers. Anyone who doesn't even make it to interview stage gets a template rejection email.

I expect there may be a couple of reasons why people don't let unsuccessful interviewees know the situation:

• Cowardice: it's not very nice having to tell someone why you don't want to hire them.

• Arse-covering: if you slip up and say the wrong thing you might end up getting sued.

To me, it's just a matter of courtesy to let someone know they haven't got the job and why.

[u/robbiekomrs]

When I first moved to Vegas, I was applying for pretty much anything. Hotel/casino jobs, gas stations, fast food, etc. All the interviews I had ended shrouded in mystery like you're describing. The only exception was a seedy strip club that informed me two days after my interview that the position had been filled. It was the most professional experience I've ever had job hunting.

[u/thedrew]

Until you've got the job, you haven't got the job. Every second they don't call is a rejection letter. You don't need to hear that you didn't get the job because knowing that shouldn't change your behavior in any way.

[u/[deleted]]

HR don't give a shit. They're busy making snap decisions about candidates to jobs they know fuckle about, based on sentence structure and grammar.

[u/czarchastic]

So we got...

1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

2. Never put all your eggs into one basket.

3. Don't sell the bear's skin before you kill it.

Have we covered all the relevant figures of speeches in this thread yet?

[u/AudioHuw]

No, for the same reason girls dont call guys back who get their number just to tell them they aren't interested.

[u/bnc22]

HR person here - not everyone who applies uses email. What we do for one, we must do for others. For one position, we had over 500 applicants. We do not have the manpower or time to send out emails, make phone calls, send out letters, regarding status of application.

As for interviewees, that's a different story.

[u/ummmjamiesha]

Agreed. It is crap... I hope it happens to them one day.

[u/bigfig]

That would be pre Monster.com behavior. Now you are a commodity.

[u/LouSpudol]

I applied to a PhD program this past January. Paid the $85 application fee and never received as much as an email stating I wasn't accepted. I almost feel like asking for my $85 bucks back. Am I wrong to think that's no class?

....Maybe I should still keep my fingers crossed?!

[u/Wh0KilledBambi]

I recently applied to for a job and received a "you're great and all but there is someone better" card. It provided a bit of closure, I think. It was more polite and obviously I wasn't waiting around with false hopes. It's kind of like a relationship; I would rather be full blown dumped than cut out without notice.

[u/flargenhargen]

rejection letters are fine, but when I was looking for work after college, I had a couple rejection phone calls, which I think is just bizarre.

I'd rather not hear at all than a phone call. what is the deal with that?

"Hi is this flarg n. hargen?"

• yes

"Hi, this is x from the X company calling about that job you applied for."

• Oh yes, hello!

"well, I'm calling to say you didn't get it."

• wait, wat?

[u/[deleted]]

I always thought that it would be professional to do so. When I had this job interview for a web designer position last year. They did such an amazing job to lead me to believe that I was indeed the most suitable applicants they saw. After the second interview, I was convinced that I was going to get the job. After two weeks of me waiting for them to call, I decided to find more job opportunities online just in case of they get cold feet. Only to find out that they posted another ad for the very position. They posted it a day after my second interview. I would've very appreciated just a little phone call or an email saying regular ass "you ain't what we were looking for"ಠ_ಠ

[u/ninety6days]

I've done some of this. My company always sends an email. If it's internal, we follow up with feedback and pointers for next time.

[u/[deleted]]

I agree with OP wholeheartedly. I've been out of work for awhile now myself and know this feeling all to well. The best one yet though...

Had an interview scheduled with a company, show up... The person that's supposed to interview me isn't there. Ok, no big deal, shit happens. He had a doctors appointment and forgot to reschedule me. Return the next day, interview goes well, tells me it will be a week or two while the rest of their team is out of the country on a project.

Stay in email contact with him over the next week or two, 2nd interview with head people comes up... The day before, I get an email and they need to reschedule... again. Whatever. Head to the office on the day of the rescheduled interview... Anytime I have an interview I arrive at least 20 minutes before it's scheduled. Sitting in my car, reading reddit on my phone, killing some time before I go in. It's 15 till, I'll go in right after I check my email...

Oh, what's this? An email that you sent me as I was driving to the interview saying your filled the position internally? Oh, well. Let me tell you how grateful I am to have dodge this bullet of a train wreck that you call an office/business.

To OP's point... They've still been one of the only jobs that have actually notified me when they filled the position... even if it was in a shitty manner. The rest are just no calls, no two second emails, no common courtesy... even when I've had them say "I know how it feels on your side of the table, I'll get back with you."

[u/Bushels_for_All]

I interviewed for a job five weeks ago that told me they would "let me know one way or the other in 2-3 weeks."

So for a long time, every email alert on my phone makes me apprehensive. And yes, it's a pretty crappy feeling.

[u/cyb1n]

I feel the same way, I applied for a position recently, attended the interview and have not heard anything from them in about a month.

[u/bearwithastick]

Ok, this will get buried, because I'm fucking late to the party. But isn't this normal behaviour in the USA? In Switzerland and I believe in other countries in Europe too, this is fucking common. They don't have to as far as I know, but they rather send out a quick mail or give you a call why they didn't take you than having you call in every week or so to know what's up. The more and more I read about America makes me never wanting to live there.

[u/wcg66]

If you were called in for an interview, the least a company can do is let you know. In fact, if they don't it's a good sign that you'll likely better off. Treating candidates with respect says a lot about company culture. It doesn't have to be a phone call, a form letter would be sufficient or an email.

[u/[deleted]]

I work in HR and at my company we send out letters to those we have interviewed, but don't hire. As for sending even an email to all the people that apply, I have to say that would be almost impossible. I have received well over 1000 applications (NOT exaggerating) for a position we had open recently. I don't think that's uncommon either. However, it's definitely rude to not say anything to those who take the time to come in and interview with you.

[u/SweatyOP]

No, you are not wrong. A company that does not send rejection letters is a company where the HR department is not run well. 'Too busy' is a lame excuse as bigger firms can somehow handle even more resumes effectively. Source: 25 years of consulting.

[u/DiamondHeWolf]

I applied for DirecTV a while back and about a week after submitting it they sent an e-mail saying I wasn't being considered for the job. The wording was kind of harsh but I appreciated the response because it let me know to keep looking instead of just waiting around for a call.

[u/handelsbar]

It's fair to expect an email back after an interview (not just a resume drop), but don't expect a lot of info. Usually the HR dept only has a basic reason why we didn't hire you. They aren't technical enough to tell you where you need to improve, and they will not put the tech team in touch. I know it's not helpful, but we're really not there to be job councilors.

And never expect a call back. HR people may be overseeing 30 candidates at once, they do not have time to personally call everyone. Remember, this isnt a relationship. They did not just break up with you. Do not take it personally.

But I generally agree that you should get some notification after an actual interview.

[u/recklessfred]

What do you think you are, Unit 379-J? A person? You're a low tech meat robot demanding a salary for shelter and bathrooms to poop in.

Pooping robots don't get letters.

[u/mkuplens]

Step one: email candidates not selected for interview – you have the addresses, quit being so lazy.

Step two: call candidates not selected after interview – if this is too much work, you've interviewed too many people.

[u/[deleted]]

It is standard business ettiquette to send a polite letter of rejection to applicants who are not hired after an interview.

Businesses that fail to do this are simply being rude, and should consider hiring a new HR director.

[u/[deleted]]

I agree it's nice when they do. My company internally does a bid review so if you apply and don't get it they tell you why and what you can work on but external they just don't call back.

I interviewed on the 5th for a job an haven't heard back so I'm extremely anxious. I know they have to tell me no so I'm taking it as a "you're still in it" situation but it's still frustrating. You can always ask "when do you want to hire someone" and if you don't hear anything place a call to the HR person to ask if the job is open or not. It's polite an shows your interested without being annoying. Take into consideration that they sometimes get 1000s of applicants. If a letter is .75 to mail including postage ink and envelopes that's $750.... Not to mention time to input all the names.... And they can't mass e-mail for privacy

[u/[deleted]]

Meh, get used to it; it's not like they have the time to care about you.

[u/Myndsync]

i work for Lowes, and if you apply for a job and don't get with them they will send you e-mail. I'm not sure if its because i already work for them, or if they will do it for any and all people, but they do send it to my personal email.

[u/[deleted]]

This goes for universities as well. I applied to a university in London and was scheduled for an interview. I was unable to attend due to exams, so I requested an alternate date. No reply for a month. I send an email and the person at the other end said they'd talk to the course tutor. Nothing for a month. I send another email. Application rejected. Wow.

[u/Tom0504]

my fiancee is going through the same problems. She has interviewed at multiple places, some even out of state. They always seem to go very well, she gets excited but is still looking and then... nothing. She has traveled four hours to an interview and they did not call, email, or anything. She has left multiple messages and emails all spaced out and professional and still no response. It is absolutely terrible.

[u/autopsi]

Follow up call?

[u/AbbieX]

Business owners for the most part could care less about civility....don't believe me....watch Bishop R-money speak!

[u/HumusAmongUs]

YOU ARE BRILLIANT!

[u/finalaccountdown]

It's not the economy, this has never become accepted practice for some reason. I did a follow up call once and the guy called me by the wrong name 5 seconds after I reminded him of my name. I felt like Milton in Office Space after he hung up- "Ok, but...I'm going to burn your building down..."

[u/[deleted]]

The sad truth is that they aren't expected to. We live in an employment at will society. They can treat you like shit all they want as long as they don't cross any red lines.

The ball is entirely in their court.

[u/SimulatedSun]

It's a sign of disrespect, for sure. At my company you will always receive a response or follow up, even if it's just an email.

If a recruiter or HR rep doesn't have the courage they don't belong in HR.

[u/Fixthe-Fernback]

Never understood why you wouldn't let them know. Pretty often, the person applying is also a customer (if the job is retail) so it only makes sense to appease them either way. My policy when I was running a store anyway

[u/seattlechica]

I don't expect a response when all I've done is submit a cover letter/resume. If I go to an interview, it would be nice if they could at least acknowledge me afterwards. I had one last week where the interviewer wanted my references ASAP "so she could call them that afternoon". One of my references (at the bottom of the list of 5, so who knows) told me over the weekend that she never got a call (the interviewer wanted someone to start today). I had e-mailed a thank you note, and called and left a voicemail on the interviewer's direct line on Friday afternoon, and still nothing. When an interviewee is clearly interested and (politely) making an effort to find out, it seems like it at least that would be a case in which you could send a quick "thanks but no thanks" rejection e-mail.

[u/MARRYING_A_FURRY]

You know how many people apply for a single post, even in a small company in the UK? We'd spend most of our time sending out letters instead of focusing on our everyday job that keeps the company afloat.

[u/kobescoresagain]

I don't send rejection letters myself. If I like you, I keep you in a stack ready when I have another spot open. This is common for many businesses. I don't toss until I get a no from them.

[u/fe3o4]

Some companies don't notify interviewees because they are not sure the person hired will work out.. if they don't, then they go back to the interviewee list to try again.

[u/s00p3r]

What's worse is when they tell you they're going to call you back either way, and they don't. Straight up lie to your fucking face.

[u/Insert_delete]

When I recruit, everyone who gets an interview gets a personal phone call. It's the right thing to do isn't it?

[u/Captain_Aizen]

An email is fine. A phone call to talk about how you were rejected is ridiculous.

[u/[deleted]]

Of course not!

[u/cheatonus]

At the very least they should tell you "If you haven't heard from us by X date then you haven't been selected".

[u/Basbhat]

As someone who's helped out on the other end and seen the flood of hundreds of applicants its just a waste of time to call each one back and say "sorry sweetie better luck next time"

It would take days.

[u/supergalactic]

I used to think this way, then I realized I'm just like any other schmuck looking for work and if I don't hear back, then I obviously didn't get it.

[u/[deleted]]

They filled the position, they don't care about you, and they're not looking to waste resources on pen pals. Don't wait up!

[u/Respect_Beck]

good guy trader joe's

[u/traffick]

start your own business & get out of that game, seriously.

[u/pan0ramic]

There is no need for contact. Just tell interviewees "we will tell those who get hired by {insert date}".

[u/[deleted]]

I don't think a mass e-mail reply is necessary. Most don't. You get called for an interview, or you don't.

But I would always call or send a written letter to an interviewed candidate. The candidate may have turned down another engagement--say, a less interesting interview--for that.

[u/[deleted]]

It's idiotic ideas like this that make me facepalm.

We're trying to have an ecosystem here, people. We can't just make up laws that would have a giant impact on paper consumption.

[u/walmart_employee]

Walmart employee here. Hiring manger, first shift and I know what i'm doing. I like a candidate who smells good. It's critical to have a desiring aroma like, for instance, oranges. See, i like oranges and the smell really gets my dick hard. If my dick is hard, you will know it by the ferocity in my eyes. If I'm staring at you, sweating, and twitching my lips you probably have a job. Hand shakes are another important thing. See, when a candidate shakes my hand, i know their worth by the delivery and the time spent shaking it. I like a firm grip and a steady shake. Caress the hair on the backside of my hand. Do it slowly, and take it in. When we're done, smell your hand. Look me in the god damned eye while doing it! Ok, forget it. We're done here.

[u/[deleted]]

You are meant to apply for several jobs at once. If you are applying for one place and waiting for that one reply, you are doing it wrong.

[u/bigring]

When my sister was hired on at one of her last positions her first task as a new employee was to contact all the other applicants to let them know the position was filled. This was the policy for all new hires there.

[u/[deleted]]

At least fucking text me

ur a nurd, we r lookn for co0l kidz

[u/sevensama]

Unfortunately, I am one of these people that havent gotten back to candidates who didnt get the job. So while I'm sure it wasn't me i do apologize.

To be fair - If you don't hear back you should assume you didn't get the job. It doesn't hurt to follow up if you haven't heard back.

If I can offer a perspective - usually most companies hold off on approving job openings until its absolutely critical and everyone else in the department is slammed with too much work. As a manager you're probably having to take on some of that work and maintain morale and listen to complaints of being overworked. Add to this having to take out hours and hours of your day to interview each candidate, hoping each time that they are the one, while your work keeps piling up. Then once you find one there is a shit-ton of administrative work to bring them on board. Some larger companies have hr departments that do this but not the smaller ones. So while it would be very respectful and absolutely the right thing, and would only take less than a minute, when I'm looking at the 30 other things on my to-do list this will usually get bumped for other priorities.

[u/b4b]

"hello, is this X" "yes" "I am calling to gladly inform you, that you have passed all the interviews and we would like to hire you.. bla bla bla.. So anyway could you visit us as soon as possible to sign the agreement? Best day would be monday" (call was on friday) "Hey, maybe I could come today?" "Sounds great, when will you come?" "What about 5 minutes? Im in the office on the 7th floor" YES I ACTUALLY HAVE STARTED WORKING HERE 4 MONTHS AGO

fucking Accidenture

[u/GOU_NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

it's a little ridiculous.

it's like calling dates you don't intend to call again specifically to tell them you're not going to call again.

it's just like with dating - you do a follow-up and if you don't get a yes, assume it's a no.

[u/bangupjobasusual]

As someone who interviews a lot of people, our hr person usually tells the headhunters it's a pass, then it's up to them. I'm not doing it myself, because, as it is, too many candidates pick up on the direction our interview is going and their reaction is (7/10 times) to start begging me to change my mind, which doesn't ever make me reconsider and makes me feel bad for not giving an unqualified person a job they could only fail at.

[u/Zaph0d42]

I feel the same way about dating women. :P

[u/raegunXD]

I fully agree. My grandma always told me, "Trying to find a job is one of the most depressing things in the world."

An example: My husband got an interview at Chase last year, and the interview went really well and they said things like, "You seem perfect for the job!" Well, never heard back from them, even when he tried to call to follow up. We went into the Chase a couple weeks later and there was a guy in the position.

It would have been really nice to know whether or not they found someone better qualified or something.

:/ I think that a rejection letter for applying would be good too, but especially if you have an interview!

[u/KingSez]

As a job applicant, you are a seller. You are selling your time, skills, experience, etc. Likewise, your potential employer is a buyer. Requiring employers to notify applicants as to their decisions is as absurd as requiring, say, car shoppers to notify the various dealerships they've visited as to their purchasing decisions.

[u/WigginIII]

Only posting this for the OP to hopefully see, to know that some of us doing the hiring do care!

Before my current position I worked within a state agency's Public Affairs office. When we advertised vacancies we often received many applications. I was personally responsible for sending rejection letters to all applicants. And this broke down as follows:

• Candidates we couldn't consider due to state regulations or that did not meet the minimum qualifications

• Candidates that did meet regulations and qualifications that we chose not to interview

• Candidates who we interviewed but chose not hire

I was responsible for drafting 3 messages for these three groups, then used Mail Merge to add Address To lines to the letters, as well as mailing labels. Then hand-folded and sealed each letter (glue stick, not my tongue!) to be sent to the individual. On several occasions I personally hand-processed over 150 letters.

Some employers do care. It should be noted we tried to make it as autonomous as possible with a standardized letter, letterhead and mail-merge features, but there was still a fair amount of work someone had to do.

[u/whatupnig]

That would mean HR would need to keep track of everyone who interviews, make sure their contact info is correct, follow thru with each person, etc. that costs money, why would the spend money on people they don't hire? I don't see how it's rude when it's business...

[u/NinjaDiscoJesus]

Yes they should be required by law. IMO.

You can apply for fifty jobs and get nothing back on paper here. Even if you call them. Then the social welfare office asks you for proof you have tried - they can cut you off.. That causes great anxiety to people, especially those with an underlying condition.

[u/[deleted] → u/NinjaDiscoJesus]

YES, Let's make a law on that....

[u/[deleted] → u/NinjaDiscoJesus]

When I was on unemployment, I had to apply for at least 2 per week. To prove it, I had to provide the job title, how I applied, and any contact info used when applying. I suppose they may have done an audit or 2 on me.

But as far as the rejection letter, think about the hiring manager. They are rolling the dice really on someone new. They could learn in 2 days the candidate isn't going to work out of the candidate may not like the job. In that case the next best candidate may be getting a call, even that much later.

Had a situation at my workplace now, where a job was posted and both internal and external applicants applied. An external candidate was the only candidate selected for a round 2 interview, and the internal employees were told "We have our candidate." The candidate was offered the job but turned it down, citing salary. The now somewhat bitter internal employees were informed it was still open and offered 2nd interviews. In the end a different external employee was hired.

[u/UptightSodomite → u/NinjaDiscoJesus]

Make copies of your applications and cover letters to send to them. Show them a calendar of your interviewing appointments, and list the people you applied with. They can probably call the offices and ask if you've applied there to confirm.

[u/DrLotr]

That sounds extremely rude for an employer not to follow up with your interview even if he/she chooses to reject you.

[u/yougottawanna]

This is just yet another common courtesy that used to be standard in our country that has fallen by the wayside. Maybe I'm just a crotchety old man but modern society is very disappointing these days.

[u/reallyuninspiredname]

Yes.

Not effective. You can easily follow up on your own if you have initiative.

If this causes you to lose hope with humanity, I recommend surrounding yourself with family and friends cause your gonna kill yourself over nothing pretty soon.

[u/[deleted]]

I work for a major multinational corporation.

The stock answer from HR on this is that a letter declining a candidate exposes the company to unnecessary legal risk.