Comments on: Angry Candidates of the World, Unite!

By: Kerry Sandberg Scott

Kerry Sandberg Scott — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:08:28 +0000

I was going to respond here, but my response ended up being so long that I turned it into today's blog post. Here it is.

By: novice_hr

novice_hr — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:53:22 +0000

I agree with Anon. I do expect a response for every resume submission, especially for candidates who take their time to work on their resumes and cover letter for that specific position. From the candidate’s perspective, we’re always encourage to take our time and really personalize our application. Never to send out mass submissions is the number one no-no. So from the employer’s standpoint, I don’t think that it’ll be too much to ask if the candidates will receive a response in return. As anon pointed out, with all the automation that is going on during the hiring process, sending out a response email should not be that time consuming.
.-= novice_hr´s last blog ..Unemployment rate finally drops… =-.

By: Heather Hollick

Heather Hollick — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:29:28 +0000

While I understand the frustration, I am a little dismayed at all the negative energy directed at nincompoop employers who do not extend the courtesy of a reply after an interview. However, coercing, shaming or lecturing an employer into action is not going to get you a job. I am a big fan of the Interview Series by the guys over at Manager Tools. They recommend a weekly follow-up FOR 15 WEEKS after an interview. No pressure. No comments on "a reply would be nice." No shaming. Just a simple note to let them know you are still interested. Mix it up. Email on week, call the next, send a hand-written note the next. Your persistence will speak volumes. And if they never respond their silence speaks volumes as to the culture of company. Better to look elsewhere. p.s. The Manager Tools guys also recommend a lot of other great stuff in the Interview Series. I can't recommend it highly enough. .-= Heather Hollick´s last blog ..Building Your Brand =-.

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:22:12 +0000

Response to a resume? I know that many people are clueless and classless; So no, I do not expect a response (even though the recruiter asked for it).

Follow-up after an interview? You better believe that I do! And when the recruiter doesn’t I tell all my family and friends what a awful organization it is.

By: class factotum

class factotum — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:10:35 +0000

Yes. If you have flown me from Memphis to Milwaukee, rented me a car, taken me to lunch and spent all day interviewing me ON MY BIRTHDAY, I expect at least a ‘go to hell’ email.

I am talking to you, Brady Corporation.
.-= class factotum´s last blog ..Marriage 101, Lecture 288: When I’m 64 =-.

By: mouse

mouse — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:48:37 +0000

I don’t expect one for every resume submitted (though now that I’ve read Anon on automation I think it’s silly we don’t see it more) but definitely for interviews. This is always a question I ask; will you be notifying all candidates of your decision or just those that are selected. So for a company to still not reply at after answering, “yes,” is retarded.

By: abdpbt

abdpbt — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:02:21 +0000

I don’t really expect a response, no, for every submission. But I do tend to blame HR for not getting a response or not getting an interview. It’s kind of like when you call up the insurance company and there’s some bureaucratic bullshit you have to deal with, when you know if you could just talk to someone who knows what the hell they’re talking about then everything would be fine? That’s how I feel about HR. I understand why it exists but I don’t really believe they hire the right people most of the time.

I shall now duck from flying tomatoes. I should say that reading your blog has increased my esteem for HR professionals like eighteen thousand fold, if it’s any consolation.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:20:04 +0000

I don’t expect an email every time I submit one, but what I do expect is that a representative within the company follows through with their appointed timeline. If they say “We will have a decision by the end of next week”, I would expect some response by then. Even if it is a comment such as “We’re a bit behind, we will need more time to make a decision”, that would be fine with me.

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:57:45 +0000

Sorry to be anon on this. But yes, I expect a response to every resume.

In the past, this would’ve been extraordinarily burdensome. But try filling out 20 online applications from 20 different application vendors [btw, someone at Taleo should figure out how to centrally store your application and "connect" it to a particular company's profile]. It takes a LOT of hands-on effort do to. Not to mention drafting an appropriate and specific cover letter, resume, etc.

On the employer’s side, it’s almost completely automated. They get resumes into a virtual inbox, sift through by keyword, etc… and designate those that have been selected to move forward. RIGHT THERE, most of these automated systems can immediately kick out a “thanks but no thanks” e-mail.

And further on down the review process, it gets even easier. In fact, at one former employer, you actually have to UNCHECK the box to send out notifications when someone is moved into the “non-selected” pile. So the resume system developers get it… why don’t the employers? (This same employer’s policy, btw, was to uncheck the box.)

Seriously… with all the automation, I don’t think it’s asking for much. I’m not requesting a personal response. I’m not suggesting that I get a detailed rejection letter… I’m simply asking for the courtesy of being notified.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:19:32 +0000

I totally agree with GeekChic and Sabrina on this one. While I don’t expect a response simply for submitting my resume, it is only proper that a company keep candidates in the loop with regard to their status once a phone or in-person interview has taken place. As a job seeker, I know that the news may not always be in my favor, but I always appreciate just knowing one way or the other for sure without having to make assumptions. It’s amazing just how rare it is for companies to actually call/email after an interview, though, and rather frustrating as well.