Not replying to job applications.

[Clodbuster]

There is one common practice I find very annoying and down right rude of UK companies.
1/. People who apply for a position and never hear back. Sure you may receive a lot but all it takes is a standard response.

2/. You've been invited to an interview and then there is silence. Surely if you've taken the trouble to attend an interview you are entitled to a simple advisory communication that you've been unsuccessful.

An acquaintance has attended 3 interviews recently and on each occasion has had to phone in to find out if he has been successful. I can also relate to this when I first arrived in the UK I sent out several applications to relevant jobs and in most cases there was no reply. I think it is rank bad manners on behalf of the companies not to reply.

 

[simon field]

I don't easily get annoyed, but my 17 year old son has just started out in the world of work. Applied for a good few jobs - never heard back from any of them. (He now has part-time work in an ice-cream parlour along with his college studies)

I had to explain to him to keep his chin up, and that the sad reality is people can't be bothered to be polite even though it's never been easier to communicate.

In this age where everything is done via email (application. CV, covering letter) there is NO excuse whatsoever for not just having the common decency to send a generic 'Sorry, your application has been unsuccessful' email out. Plain LAZY!

 

[Ricky Hyde]

A lot of companies will keep people CV's in case their first choice doesn't work out, but telling people they're being placed on file for future reference isn't something you want to be doing.

 

[simon field]

Who said anything about 'being placed on file'?

Just a yes or no would do - rather than just leaving people hanging

 

[Clodbuster]

Simon - I agree that it is a plain lazy, indifferent, could not care less attitude so common with companies. I hate it and always reply with a simple response when I get applications - even un-solicited ones.

 

[ethical PR]

When I worked agency-side we used to create a spreadsheet with emails for applicants so that when a decision was made all applicants who weren't successful could be notified. Those interviewed received a phone call, follow up note and were given the opportunity of a 1:1 for further feedback.

There's no reason for employers not to respond to applicants - it shows a distinct disregard for those who might become the employees and are often also their customers.

 

[john1989]

I once applied for a job with a large construction company.

I was invited for an interview.

I was invited for a second interview.

I was then invited for a third interview (only time this has ever happened to me).

Then radio silence. I called them 2 weeks later and was told in a very abrupt manner "you obviously didn't get it".

It's just common decency if someone has taken the time to see you for an interview, that you give them an outcome. Some employers are up their own 4rse.

 

[beasty]

It is not really that lazy, if they get thousands of applications, it is simply not practical to respond to everyone, cost and time.

Do not take it personally.

I did see at a large company i worked at moons ago, the boss of perhaps a 1000 staff was handed a tonne of customer complaints and there was no way to take care of them all, he just took the printed out complaints, dumped half in the bin and told the senior manager he was talking with to deal with those.

I was 18 when i saw this but recall it clearly, what i take away is time is precious, so expecting a sorry this is why you are not being called back to interview letter is not understanding the cost in producing such.

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

Talking about small businesses in particular, the amount of applications they can get for a role can be staggering. A butchers shop not far from me advertised for an assistant job last year and were inundated by nearly 3000 applications. Did they reply to them all? I don't know, but I could understand if they didn't.

It's so easy to apply for a job these days, lots of people go through the government's job website and the big job boards and click apply for every job on the screen. Gone are the days where you'd get many bespoke applications with a specially written cover letter. When I used to recruit for manufacturing companies for warehouse staff, every job I ever advertised was swamped with applications for this very reason. Half the people on job boards don't even read the job spec, which is why I used to get applications from people who don't have a driving license for a delivery driver job.

The best thing for companies to do who are expecting lots of applications is to clearly state that only successful applicants will be contacted. At least everyone knows where they stand.

 

[ethical PR]

It is not really that lazy, if they get thousands of applications, it is simply not practical to respond to everyone, cost and time.

Do not take it personally.

I did see at a large company i worked at moons ago, the boss of perhaps a 1000 staff was handed a tonne of customer complaints and there was no way to take care of them all, he just took the printed outs, dumped half in the bin and told the senior manager he was talking with to deal with those.

I was 18 when i saw this but recall it clearly, what i take away is time is precious, so expecting a sorry this is why you are not being called back to interview letter is not understanding the cost in producing such.

For companies dealing with 1000's of applications a lot of HR software nowadays enables employers to send out automated responses, so there is little if any time/cost implications. Just a click of the button and a standard response.

 

[Deleted member 226268]

.
Nothing new about this.

The plain ignorance and arrogance and apathy from the recruitment departments of potential employer companies,
it has been going on for years.

However, you are lucky these days to even get as far as contacting the company itself.
Where now, recruitment agencies have butted themselves in, and have become another barrier between you and employment.

Job - seekers now have to face the same ignorance and arrogance and indifference, non - communication, from the recruitment agencies.

How anyone actually, eventually, finds a job these days is a bit of a mystery.

Then it will most probably be a short term contract, so you can be dumped off at the slightest whim of management,
and at any time without the option of any claim or any recourse.

The shape of things to come in future employment for anyone.

.

 

[S Goodman]

I don't easily get annoyed, but my 17 year old son has just started out in the world of work. Applied for a good few jobs - never heard back from any of them. (He now has part-time work in an ice-cream parlour along with his college studies)

I had to explain to him to keep his chin up, and that the sad reality is people can't be bothered to be polite even though it's never been easier to communicate.

In this age where everything is done via email (application. CV, covering letter) there is NO excuse whatsoever for not just having the common decency to send a generic 'Sorry, your application has been unsuccessful' email out. Plain LAZY!

The other side to this is the sheer number of "applications" that look like they have been written a twelve year old with special needs. No grammar, spell checking or punctuation. Usually the absolute minimum of information about themselves and to top it off no covering letter or any reference to the business or position they are applying for. Frankly these people don't deserve your time in replying.

Now a full and proper CV with a non-generic covering letter. With correct use of the English language would always get my reply.

 

[beasty]

For companies dealing with 1000's of applications a lot of HR software nowadays enables employers to send out automated responses, so there is little if any time/cost implications. Just a click of the button and a standard response.

Anyone that is sensitive enough to whine about not getting a no thank you, will no doubt whine about getting an automated no thank you also

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL WILL BE CONTACTED, SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED BEFORE XXXX DATE.

Simples

 

[simon field]

Put the shoe on the other foot then. You advertise a job. Applicant applies. Interview passed, you start them on Monday.

However, they've applied for other jobs and have decided to take one that isn't yours. They don't bother letting you know, so on Monday morning you get........nothing!

 

[Deleted member 226268]

.
"Look Mum ....I got a reply"..!

....Due to the unprecedented response to our advertisement for the Mc minimum wage, zero hour, non-Job ....... if we have not contacted you
about your application within the next six months, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
.

 

[Clodbuster]

Anyone that is sensitive enough to whine about not getting a no thank you, will no doubt whine about getting an automated no thank you also

What rubbish, a generic answer is better than nothing.

 

[beasty]

Put the shoe on the other foot then. You advertise a job. Applicant applies. Interview passed, you start them on Monday.

However, they've applied for other jobs and have decided to take one that isn't yours. They don't bother letting you know, so on Monday morning you get........nothing!

If i were in that position and had INTERVIEWS i would let the companies know, but you are correct it is the same in reverse, i would not trawl through all the applications saying sorry you were unsuccessful!

(A friend of a friend) bit of an engineering whiz, he had job offers galore out of University, anyway being young and bit of a wise ass, he did write to companies saying Sorry you have been unsuccessful on this occasion, but I will keep you on file

 

[RPower]

I agree.

Even if it's a computer generated response, at least put the poor candidate out of their misery! It's simply polite to let people know.

 

[Clodbuster]

Beasty - you're just lazy.

 

[beasty]

I agree.

Even if it's a computer generated response, at least put the poor candidate out of their misery! It's simply polite to let people know.

Seems a little extreme, treat them like an injured horse!

But you can let them know by making it clear if they hear nothing by a set date they were not successful


I do not need a letter saying NO you did not get the job, who needs that letter really?

Beasty - you're just lazy.

No dispute, in fact it is past my nap time already


Just a notice saying if you do not hear by xxxx date ,you were unsuccessful, imagine someone applying for 50 jobs getting 50 letters saying NO THANKS, i think that would be worse for their egos and mental health than just the alternative which is keep moving on with the applications.

 

[RPower]

@beasty an email takes seconds to send. I strongly dislike ambiguity and would prefer to know. It is just polite.

 

[beasty]

500 emails take how long to send?

If there is a DATE saying if you have not heard, you did not pass the interview, there is no Ambiguity.

Personally I would not want rejection emails or letters at all.
Some do, fine, but not for me and i am not sure jobseekers woudl like a raft of emails and letters saying NOT THIS TIME

Hey if you want a letter, try harder to get the job would be my thinking

 

[RPower]

@beasty seconds if you have a mail merge set up.

And there are plenty of reasons why someone wouldn't get a job other than not being deemed 'having not tried hard enough'.

 

[beasty]

OK fine, i simply do not need to see NO THANKS, in writing when it is obvious to me that is no thanks.. hey a letter from that job, great, ah , no thanks.. great

Just seems like an extra an pointless kick, this thread has proven there is no way to keep everyone happy

 

[Richard Ashton]

its very possible to build this type of functionality into CRM systems, I know of multiple businesses that use their in house systems for a lot more then customer management, its not expensive and its not at all very complicated, you can have a list of applicants assign into a category which applicants make it to a second interview and the same for those who don't, you can then send automated emails to the ones who dont make the cut. saves alot of time then doing it manually.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I dont think its practical to be able to generate responses to a lot of people I think it is equally unfair to expect a small business to spend a couple of days sorting out the responses. I think it edges onto a joke to expect a small business to put IT systems in place to generate the required response
This is not NASA here you know
So the focus should be on the applicant .Why not pick the phone up and say I have not heard anything I know I did not get the post but could you give me some feedback on what I presented
Thats what I would do and I have never even applied for a job before !

 

[boring-friday]

I don't reply to them all, get 100s. I Think some people apply just to show the job center lol. I get some stupid people

 

[RPower]

Google spreadsheets allows you to do it really easily for free @JEREMY HAWKE and it's as simple as popping their email and name into a spreadsheet and clicking a few buttons.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...-merge/mgmgmhkohaenhokbdnlpcljckbhpbmef?hl=en

Very true though people should definitely pick up the phone and enquire if they haven't heard!

 

[The Byre]

The other side to this is the sheer number of "applications" that look like they have been written a twelve year old with special needs. No grammar, spell checking or punctuation. Usually the absolute minimum of information about themselves and to top it off no covering letter or any reference to the business or position they are applying for. Frankly these people don't deserve your time in replying.

Now a full and proper CV with a non-generic covering letter. With correct use of the English language would always get my reply.

Same here! If an applicant writes on paper, takes the trouble to research the company and it shows, has read the job description and lists qualities that FIT that description, he or she will get a written reply.

Unfortunately, we still get "Hi there!" or "To whom it may concern!" per email, followed by drivel that perfectly fits the above description.

My favourite opening for a job application so far "Yo, you all!"

We keep a file of applications that are particularly hilarious. One is a message on a roll of paper in a bottle!

 

[john1989]

Whether you’re applying for a job or selling a product, it is about knowing your audience.

I’m not sure someone applying for an IT Manager job would get far by sending in a handwritten letter. More so if they send it by carrier pigeon.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Same here! If an applicant writes on paper, takes the trouble to research the company and it shows, has read the job description and lists qualities that FIT that description, he or she will get a written reply.

Unfortunately, we still get "Hi there!" or "To whom it may concern!" per email, followed by drivel that perfectly fits the above description.

My favourite opening for a job application so far "Yo, you all!"

We keep a file of applications that are particularly hilarious. One is a message on a roll of paper in a bottle!

Yes and this quite common now and people on here say we should be using a google accelerator Cmr based something that runs on a Mac or an Iphone from a gel fired battery to pacify these people

 

[14Steve14]

When my daughter was looking and applying for jobs she got so dejected by employers not even responding to her applications, most of which were by email, that she just gave up. These were not huge corperations, just small local businesses. It was horrible to watch and see. Luckily she did get a nice decent and polite employer who responded and did give her a job.

As others have said it costs nothing to be polite, no matter how many times you have to do it. As communication is so easy now it seems rude not to respond.

 

[S Goodman]

When my daughter was looking and applying for jobs she got so dejected by employers not even responding to her applications, most of which were by email, that she just gave up. These were not huge corperations, just small local businesses. It was horrible to watch and see. Luckily she did get a nice decent and polite employer who responded and did give her a job.

As others have said it costs nothing to be polite, no matter how many times you have to do it. As communication is so easy now it seems rude not to respond.

Well life's full of disappointments and seemingly, from this thread, some of today's kids expect life to be handed to them on a plate. Lord knows how the little dears would have coped before computers were you had to hand write each and every application. Let's be honest, the only thing that has changed is we have the ability to apply for 100's of jobs in minutes simply by ticking a box on a computer screen, printing 100 copies of your CV and fly posting them every business in the locality or copy and pasting emails. This is seemingly great for the applicants, but a waste of time and resources for the employers.

I'd guarantee that if covering letters were hand written (or individually typed) people would only apply for the jobs they were really interested in. Save everyone time, money and disappointment.

 

[Talay]

I almost permanently have jobs advertised and 90% of applicants are just crap.Of the remaining 10%, perhaps 1 has taken the time to tailor the CV and covering letter to my specific advert. They will always get a response.

At interview, I let all candidates know when I will be making a decision and that I will only contact those who are successful. This leaves me the opportunity to offer to my first choice, receive a rejection and then offer to my back up candidate without that person already knowing that they were not first in line. This might even be after the first one has started and proved to be no good.

I ask people to email but they drop in a paper CV.

I get some nutter emailing 20 times a day asking if they can come to interview.

I get applications from people who are in the funny farm or the mental hospital.

I get johnny foreigner who cannot speak English wanting to work.

I get people applying who are on the sick with another employer.

I would waste far too much time dealing with the rejections. Sorry but that is just how it is.

 

[Nord20]

When I landed my first 'proper' job aged 17, my first task was to write the rejection letters to all the other candidates applying for the role.

It helped me get familiar with the surroundings and the company 'way of doing things' whilst working on something that wasn't mentally challenging. I also gave me pause for thought on just how many people wanted the job I now had. It made me value the fact that I'd gotten the job (not the best in the world, but a good starting point) and have some sympathy for the people who'd also applied and been unsuccessful.

I've only ever once been rejected for a job I interviewed for and I was super annoyed, because I'd really wanted it. I did get a notification but not a reason why, so I completely understand where job seekers are coming from.

That said, as an employer now, I wouldn't dream of telling someone why they haven't got the job - there's nothing in it for you and you open yourself up to some spurious claim of unfair treatment.

 

[Talay]

... That said, as an employer now, I wouldn't dream of telling someone why they haven't got the job - there's nothing in it for you and you open yourself up to some spurious claim of unfair treatment.

I think that is a fair summation. The world has changed and litigation or complaint comes at every corner.

Even if not justified, the time and cost required to deal with spurious applicants means a safe route much be chartered.

 

[Andy Inman]

One thing I always tried to bear in mind when I was recruiting: the candidate that I reject today could be, in a year or so, purchasing manager for my biggest customer. So, reject correctly. Acknowledge receipt of emails at least (that's easy to automate) and by all means use a standard reply that says something along the lines of "thanks for the application but we are not able to reply personally to all applicants...."

 

[beasty]

Posted an advert for a new cleaner at this time yesterday
36 replies so far
Should i individually reply to each of them?
Then the subsequent messages explaining why i do not want them?
No doubt a dozen more applications will arrive today

No chance, I reply to the person i would like to turn up and clean the place and keep a couple of others details handy should she not work out

 

[Mark T Jones]

In my days of being an employer I took the view that it was basic courtesy to respond - and it really didn't take long, even pre email

That view took a knocking when we advertised through Job Centre Plus and were flooded with applications from people who clearly hadn't even attempted to identify what the job was (we are finance brokers, getting applications saying 'I want to work in hospitality'). Despite that' I would still say it is basic couresy to respond.

 

[beasty]

Silence is a response, it means you were unsuccessful