My time is more important than yours
What really irritates me about how the job process works is....employers will put out a job offering online or wherever else they may advertise. You see the listing and send a resume...a few days goes by and you get a call asking you to come into their office for an in person interview. You are thrilled to have gotten a call, and are excited about the interview. They interview you, show you all around the office, introduce you to several other workers, spend a great deal of time with you asking questions and chatting. You leave thinking, Wow, what a great interview!...I think I have this one in the bag. After a few days goes by, no call or email...a few more days go by, no call or email...2 weeks go by, and you still have heard nothing from the employer...I guess you are just supposed to assume you did not get the job. This is simply unacceptable and unprofessional on the part of the company (and unfortunately, most of them operate this way now). Your time has value...you have to drive to their office...sometimes, in heavy traffic...answer a lot of foolish "interview questions like...what is your 5 year plan?...and for those fools to not even show the courtesy of letting you know they hired someone else is inexcusable and stupid.
I do understand your frustration as I'm quite familiar with it myself. In all the jobs I e ever interviewed for only twice did I actually receive a physical phone call. I had more respect for them for doing so. I'd probably say 70% sent me an email while the other 30% I received nothing back at all. Depending the size of the organization, the bigger it gets, the more impersonal and longer process it tends to be. Often it depends on the HR dept too who will prioritize getting that new hire onboarded as I tended to be the one doing much of it for my department, there is a lot involved than just sending a "you're hired letter". The best I can really you is if you don't hear anything back for two weeks, you didn't get it. By no means during this time should you stop looking and interviewing either! Until you've signed all the paperwork and in on your first day, don't stop. Chin up, put yourself out there. You only deserve what you are willing to work and settle for. Be creative, think different. Use LinkedIn, companies your interested page. Reach out to their HR, make linked in connections w someone in the organization who maybe can be your insider. Never give up!
What goes around comes around people. The economy will turn around. The pendulum will swing the other way and the day will come when there will be such a labor shortage, employers will be begging people to come work for them. Make note of the companies that are acting like complete jerks now, because when they're desperate for help in the future, you'll be able to tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.
And I've been in the workforce long enough to have seen first hand that the pendulum does eventually swing the other way!!!
Hi Frank,
I know your pain. I've interviewed for a few positions and was even given the notion that I had the job on a few occasions. When they make statements like, "That's something we can discuss when we're sitting around having drinks", it's very misleading. I've even been hired for a job, put my notice in at the "current" employer, left that current employer, and then received the call the day before I was supposed to start that they were going another direction (no explanation other than that). But, I have learned something through the process.
- Go in and make your best presentation.
- Be honest and be yourself.
- Leave the interview feeling good and have a clear understanding of when they are going to contact candidates for the next phase.
- Go home and move on. Keep the search going.
Nothing is definite until you get that call and you accept... even then something may happen that you can't control. So, just keep forging ahead.
Employers have gotten used to doing things on their time. Let's face it, it is their time in many ways.
- It's their time to get as much information on who, and what skill sets those candidates have, is out there looking for this particular job.
- They have the opportunity to interview as many people as they wish, as long as they meet the minimum qualifications in the posting.
- They have to live with their choice, so they are going to make their choice count.
There's no need for the company to spend a lot of money on the interviewing and hiring process for someone just to move on. They are adept at identifying those people who are just getting a job to get a job and then move on as soon as something "better" comes along. So they are going to take their time.
I've even been called in for interviews to find out that all they wanted was information out of me and they weren't interested in hiring at all.... just getting fresh ideas from outside of the company (because their management or administrative process is like working in an echo chamber. It gets louder and louder, but it's the same information and ideas all the time... nothing new).
Employers have this option. It's about what, or who, is best for the company. They are willing to take their time finding that "fit".
Good luck. I hope you find your job soon.
If you think your interview went well, there is no rule saying you shouldn't ask them about when they want you to start! This is very important if it is a sales job. Don't be concerned about being too "pushy." If they like you, you'll get the job. If they don't, you won't get the job anyway...but you'll know immediately!
Hi Frank,
I totally agree! However, now that the republicans controlled the Senate and the House, I firmly believe that change is coming! Keep the faith and now that God is in control. Your career opportunity is on the way. We all have to go through obstacles to get to where we are suppose to be
Did you follow up with 'thanks' emails or letters? Not doing that can kill your chances
They don't hire right away based on just a resume. They bring you in largely to see if you fit the company culture or how well you get along. They probably did like you on paper if they brought you in. However they might have found a better candidate.
This is so true. You are so right.
Wow I totally get it! Why can't they send an email or something. So many interviews, I thought I had it but no call. They could have a generic email for all those who didn't get the job, saying we are sorry but we choose someone else. I wouldn't be happy, but my life wouldn't end. I could move on, not wait. Then to see that job still posted a few weeks later, is a slap in the face. I'm so glad someone else gets it.
Gone are the days when you were pounding the pavement and went to a place of business to apply for a job that had a "help wanted" sign in the window. You would fill out a paper application right then and there. You would get interviewed on the spot. You would get hired on the spot and the seasoned veteran who knew the job would show you the ropes. It didn't matter if you had the education and experience back then. Nowadays companies put too much emphasis on both education credentials AND experience. God how I miss the old school days of looking for a job. I wish they would bring it right back again. At least back then you were assured that you got the job without having to wait around for a definite answer. You also didn't have to make an appointment just to drop off a resume either.