I'm going to act as the messenger here and pass along
a request from some of those who are very qualified,
have interviewed, and have yet to hear one way or
another if they are the selected candidate.
I'm confident there are countless horror stories about
"the candidate from hell" who didn't show up as
scheduled for an interview or made some other faux
pas. As a point of fact, I'd be happy to protect the
writer and convey the message to those who are
earnestly "studying and searching" for a job if you
want to pass along things they should know. Knowing
where the pitfalls are can truly help them because,
I'm afraid, they don't teach you a lot of real-world
skills--like job searching and interviewing--in
school.
But the collective wisdom of many frustrated job
seekers is that the applications they send out fall
off into the miasma, and they frequently do not hear
if their application has been accepted or acted upon.
More importantly, those who have interviewed are not
being told they are not the selected candidate--even
after multiple interview. We've talked about the
importance of good manners in the hiring process, how
it's important to send a "thank you note" if you are
able to get interviewed.
However, good manners goes both ways. I realize that,
in the days of on-line applications, the number of
candidates may seem overwhelming; nonetheless, they
are human beings who have expressed an earnest desire
to become a part of your organization, and they
deserve to know whether they have a hope and a prayer
of being hired (at this point).
They tell me they'd like to know if they made mistakes
in the interviewing process. What are those things
that were perceived as weaknesses that they can work
at to improve themselves? They know they have to
knock on many doors (I was going to say "kiss many
frogs," but that reminds me too much of a corporate
note I read last week that said, "we're going to eat
our own dog food"--yuck!) to reach success.
These folks are truly making an effort to prepare
themselves for the job market. They would very much
appreciate it if you would please contact them IN A
TIMELY FASHION, by phone or by mail (e- or snail),
when a hiring decision has been made.
They may have left you thinking they had a chance, and
they really wanted to work for and with you. They may
be forgoing other opportunities thinking you might
have a place for them.
To me, it's simply a case of good manners, common
courtesy. But I will tell you that having to write to
those not chosen is time consuming (I had cause to
write to over 200 not interviewed/selected in a recent
assignment, so I know what it takes), and it can be
expensive if not done right. Email rejection letters
are still better than that feeling of not knowing
anything. In fact, I believe that email address
should become a part of any application form you
offer.
Please don't shoot me. I welcome your inputs on this
matter, and I'd be happy to express to the 450 with
whom I communicate daily what issues you have seen (no
names please) that have been problematic in the
interview process, but it's too warm to put on the
kevlar, so please be cool about it.
Many thanks.
P.S. By bcc I am conveying to those who expressed
concern that the issue has been raised, and I'll will
forward critical issues for later discussion.
=====
Indigo Nights
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