What if the interviewer never calls you back?
Every once in a while I’ll publish job-hunt questions people ask me a lot. And it’s that time again. But today I’m publishing a question that stumped me:
“Why don’t interviewers get back to me after the interview? I go to the interview, I feel like we click, and the hiring manager or human resource representative never says another thing to me again. Ever.”
I sent this question to my well-placed, hot-shot human resource friend who works at a company that a slew of you want to work for but cannot be named in this blog, and this is what he told me about the issue:
The primary reason candidates don’t hear back after the interview is that most recruiters and/or interviewers don’t shut the discussion down when they know it’s a non-fit. This is rooted in human nature and avoiding conflict.
For example, two weeks ago I interviewed a terrible candidate. I spoke with him for a half-hour, and then told him, “You know what? I have to be honest with you that I’m going to pursue other candidates who appear more highly suited for this role. I want to be transparent about that because I know you may have other job opportunities you are considering, and I want to be up front that compared to other candidates I’m considering, they appear to be more strongly suited for the role.”
Most people won’t have that conversation in the moment, and instead say, “Thanks for your time, I have some more people to interview, and then I’ll get back to you with the decision on whether we’ll be moving forward.” This closing remark creates more work and clutter, and then the “getting back to them” never happens.
By not being transparent, the interviewer feigns that there will be more evaluation, and I believe interviewers think that it makes the eventual turn-down more palatable. But in all honesty, it just creates inefficiency and friction in the system.
Another way to look at this problem though, is that it’s simply poor execution, because the opportunity cost of letting people dangle doesn’t have to be absorbed by the interviewer. Example: If you interview with me, what are the consequences for me treating you poorly? Not any really. You as the candidate don’t want to burn a bridge lest [my company] should happen to call you in the future, so it’s not like you are going to take me to task.
In the mix of hundreds of candidates in process, there’s no clear measurement of what is really going on, unless you write a letter to my boss or blog about it (which few people take the time to do).
So what can you conclude from this? The people who get back to you and tell you flat out no, or, better yet, are transparent enough to tell you no right there in the interview, are the people who are the best to work for. And that’s not helpful, is it? I mean, they are rejecting you. So what are you going to do with that piece of knowledge?
Here’s an idea for candidates in the post-interview process. How about sending a thank you note, placing a followup call or two to show interest, and then if you don’t hear anything, move on?
And instead of spending time whining about how rude the interview process is, focus on turning the next interview into a job offer. If you get good at interviews, you don’t have to worry about people who don’t let you know about rejection because you won’t get rejected.
Can an employer call and give you a job and tell you he will call you within a weekl and then just never call you back or even possibly give your job to someone else?
Why can't the interviewer/hiring company just give the prospective employee the courtesy of returning a call / email etc and updating them on the status one way or the other?
They obviously thought the individual's resume was worthy of further discussion/attention or they likely would not have asked to interview in the first place – Now after the person takes the time to do just that and they basically get crapped on in return? Really? What about that is ok?
IMO, this is very telling – it says the company really isn’t one which is worthy of having me as an employee. So I reckon we should consider it a favor!
People say action speaks louder.
I agree with the poster who said it’s pointless to argue about why they didn’t get a feedback.
No interview procedure is genetic. I had been hired despite my interview went bad (so I thought), and got rejections after seemingly good interviews. It’s really out of our hands.
Is it nice if they let you know of the outcome the soonest possible? Sure, but some just don’t.
All of offers I had in the past, they usually let me know within a few days, definitely no later than a week.
That said, I haven’t hard from my last interview for more than one week. That means my chance for the job is very very slim. I followed up anyway via email for a closure. If I don’t hear anything at all, that is an answer itself that thanks, but no thanks.
I looked this question up out of frustration. I’m dealing with this at this very moment. I interviewed on Thursday and was told to call back Monday morning. I called at eight and was informed. ” Hey Mike I’ve got to get a few things squared away and I’ll call you back”. I waited till two-thirty and left a message. It is now 4pm. I can take a hint. This guy told me that when I called we would be setting up another time to meet today. Meanwhile I’ve passed up two other interviews and one offer. This is very unprofessional and very rude. I myself prefer someone who is direct without being rude. The unprofessional attitude of many hiring managers these days is unbelievable. That person is the first person who you have direct contact with. Maybe companies should stop drug testing because after dealing with enough hiring or HR managers you might need some to retain some humor and sanity. Seriously though I’m not saying that they’re all bad but the majority seems to be unthoughtful.
I gave this interview with a big company which ran for a span of over 4 5 weeks. After I 5th round of interviews I called the HR for an answer from the hiring manager who is in a different continent. HR says do not know anything yet give you a call back in 2 3 hrs. After 4 days of silence I email HR and there is no reply so I call 2 times and still no response.My point is what is going behind the backscreen? I feel so foolish to have invested my time to people that do not even know to say a NO. Do you think I should still have some hope? Its been over 7 days since the latest round.
If an HR manager can not tell you that you did or did not receive a job then they are not doing their job period. The job in HR is to interview people and give a response. And stop nterviewing people and then asking if they know a particlar software that is a componenet of the job if the software isn’t listed on the resume then you are just wasting the interviewee’s time.
I had a crummy phone interview and was surprised when I got an in-person interview. They told me they would know in 2 weeks, and it was over 5 weeks later when I got called.
Seems industry standard reply is 2 weeks.
I went to the in-person interview. They flew me in, put me up for the night, paid all expenses. This part was well done by the company. The interview was exactly an hour and seemed to go well. I was told 2 weeks and they would have a decision on who makes the next round of interviews. I got my thank you letters in the mail and emailed some more work samples that the HM was interested in reviewing in greater detail.
That was almost 8 weeks ago. I sent a “touch base” email, and got nothing in response. I sent in my travel claim for reimbursement and got the check in less than 2 weeks. While they paid all expenses, I had to burn two vacation days for being a filler interview.
All I can think is “rude” and “unprofessional.” No one wants to deliver bad news, but how hard is it to send the no thanks boilerplate email? Plus this was for corporate communications..if you are not comfy delivering bad news you are in the wrong field and definitely should not be a manager in it.
This is an old thread now, but it’s still going on! Interviewers don’t stop for one minute to think what we, as job-hunters go through. In my experience they don’t anyway. I just went for my umpteenth interview where I had great rapport and feedback from the very friendly woman interviewing. She made loads of hints that she was really impressed and that she didn’t really want to see anyone else etc etc. I always ask when they’re letting people know, and every time they reply it’s a load of rubbish!! She was supposed to call last week and even though I sent a follow up email (a polite one) today, I’ve heard nothing back. It’s the principal of it; I don’t want to work for a company like that, but I just want them to let me know!! I get nervous, I prepare, I rehearse, I pick out my outfit, I get lost trying to find the places… and they can’t just send out a little email to say I wasn’t successful!? Disgusting! And as for the people who offered me a job and rang me the day before I was to start to say it didn’t exist anymore… well I’m at the point I don’t even want to go through this process at all anymore!!! :(
Yep. Just went through that myself. It’s particularly prevalent in non-profit. They lack structure and follow no lead. I typically ask then I get called the initial interview, if the intent was to hire immediately. If they say no or imply that it will be a long process, I move on. It all begins with the HR Department, they set the tempo.
Now, what about before interview session. I was referred to an online competency/talent assesment test by the hiring company. But then, after nearly two weeks i did not get any feedback from them. Should i consider that as a sign that I am not selected to next round of the hiring process? or should i send email for their feedback?
Anita, anything before the interview I would say don’t expect any reply at all. They receive thousands of resumes for one job.
About company assessment testing, it depends. If you got called in for an assessment, you may have stood out; if it was part of the application process consider it along the lines of submitting your resume. Many have them built in as part of the resume submission so I would not put much stock into it.
I would say if you get a call it will be a pleasant surprise.
Nics, I finally got a rejection email through the Taleo HR software…the boilerplate “thank you for applying, we selected someone else.” Applying? I had multiple interviews. Ah well.
At the first place I worked at, the main reason why some candidates where hired over others is because people asked for WAY too much money. They interviewed for an entry-level position and they were asking for more money than the president of the company made. Sometimes when you are highly qualified but not hired, it isn’t because they are “threatened” by your awesomeness, it is because they can’t afford to pay for it.
I think they always at least try to get back to the less desirable candidates, but they were busy trying to run the business (they had no HR people). When they were hiring someone, it meant they were short-staffed so they were extremely busy, and on top of that, they just spent three days straight tied up in interviews and were getting behind on getting reports out to our clients.
The place I work at now had an opening recently and they interviewed a candidate from out of state. She was exceptionally well qualified and would have done wonders for our department, but the reason she wasn’t hired is because the company is collapsing and the managers instituted a hiring freeze after the interview.
There are many reasons why someone doesn’t get hired (and sometimes not being hired is a good thing), or why someone can’t call back all 500 applicants. The best you can do is learn from your experiences and keep at it!
This post is helpful for me, even being a teenager. I have had interviews in hope to get a simple job such as being a waitress at a small town diner. And every interview I have been told “Expect a call by the end of the week”. I had a great interview this past Monday and I was supposed to receive a call Saturday. Well, I am extremely interested in this position so I did send in a Thank you card. I wanted to ensure a second interview. Well, as my day came to a close I became quite disappointed. No call, and it always happens. I don’t know what to do. I can’t even get my first job as a teenager. Any advice I can be given? I want to save for college as its soon approaching within less than a year.
You don’t even need a phone, a quick email is enough. I don’t care how big or “Ma an Pa” size you are, at the very least acknowledge the prospective employer with an email. Here you can even use this format:
Dear “X”:
Thank you for taking the time to interview with us, we appreciate your interest in “insert company name”. However we have decided to pursue more qualified candidates. We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
Sincerely
“A”
Thats, it, thats all you need to do employers, nice and simple. You don’t need to write a 2 page essay and why you won’t hire person “A”, just a quick email acknowledging the interviewee. (all you have to do is acknowledge) Thats it, no awkward phone call, no “real interaction” .
Do it, show some at least a tact of humanity.
I have been searching for a position twice in my career and one company that always gets back to you is King Arthur Flour in Norwich, Vt. Their Human Resources is outstanding. Perhaps that is why they are one of the “Best Companies” to work for. So, when you are looking for a position, look to companies that value their employees and potential employees!
Damn it feels so bad when I hear the words that ‘ Our HR will get back to you’ . 99% times it means that you are rejected you loser. All your preparation, selection of outfit etc. are useless now. Moreover your confidence is damaged.
Shit i hate this.
Dont wait around for employers. If they want you they will let you know immediately.
I had an interview last Thursday (13th) and because I’ve been on so many I never know if I have done well or not. There has been times when I thought I had the job in the bag and then the next day I get the ‘rejection’ email. My interviewer on Thursday explained to me that the recruitment team are off for a few days and that they will contact me at the beginning of this week. It has now been a week and I haven’t heard anything. The interviewer gave me her business card with her e mail and mobile number on it and I’ve sent a friendly and polite email asking about a follow up as well as leaving an answer phone message to her mobile and still no response. Is that the hint that I HAVEN’T GOT THE JOB? I just want a quick phone call or email telling me that I haven’t got it. That’s all I ask.
Do you think I should try and contact her again or just except the fact I haven’t got the job?
I had an interview last Thursday (13th) and because I’ve been on so many I never know if I have done well or not. There has been times when I thought I had the job in the bag and then the next day I get the ‘rejection’ email. My interviewer on Thursday explained to me that the recruitment team are off for a few days and that they will contact me at the beginning of this week. It has now been a week and I haven’t heard anything. The interviewer gave me her business card with her e mail and mobile number on it and I’ve sent a friendly and polite email asking about a follow up as well as leaving an answer phone message to her mobile and still no response. Is that the hint that I HAVEN’T GOT THE JOB? I just want a quick phone call or email telling me that I haven’t got it. That’s all I ask.
Do you think I should try and contact her again or just except the fact I haven’t got the job?
I think it is absolutely disgusting the way job seekers are being treated these days. I don’t care how busy employers are it takes less than one minute to send a simple email saying I’m sorry you were unsuccessful. I understand they receive possibly hundreds of applications for one position and I do not expect them to email each and every single one of those people, however the select few that they have actually chosen to come in for an interview well don’t we deserve at least a simple email letting us know we were unsuccessful? They obviously have no understanding of how excruitiating it is waiting to hear back from a company you have interviewed with and even when over a week or two of time has lapsed we still have the pathetic hope they perhaps we still might have a chance of being offered the position. It’s funny how you people hiring employees are able to persistently call and email me to arrange interviews yet when I send you an email following up from the interview you just ignore me. You are absolutely pathetic scum and you all think you are so high above the people you are interviewing. I hope karma does in fact exist and one day you receive yours.
I think it is absolutely disgusting the way job seekers are being treated these days. I don’t care how busy employers are it takes less than one minute to send a simple email saying I’m sorry you were unsuccessful. I understand they receive possibly hundreds of applications for one position and I do not expect them to email each and every single one of those people, however the select few that they have actually chosen to come in for an interview well don’t we deserve at least a simple email letting us know we were unsuccessful? They obviously have no understanding of how excruitiating it is waiting to hear back from a company you have interviewed with and even when over a week or two of time has lapsed we still have the pathetic hope they perhaps we still might have a chance of being offered the position. It’s funny how you people hiring employees are able to persistently call and email me to arrange interviews yet when I send you an email following up from the interview you just ignore me. You are absolutely pathetic scum and you all think you are so high above the people you are interviewing. I hope karma does in fact exist and one day you receive yours.
I’m dealing with this right now, and for the second time this year (different potential employers). For me, it is a question of principle and manners. I know i haven’t got the job, fair enough. But I spent time, money and effort on attending the interview, so I insist they tell me the outcome. I will contact the interviewing managet if HR keep ignoring. Firms need to know when their brand is being damaged. After all, just because I don’t work for them, doesn’t mean I’m not a potential customer.
Here’s the thing – this is from my own experience and seeing peers’ getting a job offer.
The bottom line, if they want you, they will call you and “usually” do so QUICK.
EVERY SINGLE ONE of my peers got his/her job in this way, it’s almost uncanny. I’ve gotten my last job in this manner as well. I went to an all day interview on Friday (I thought the interview went rather lousy), and got an offer on Monday morning.
On the other hand, I went to an interview on last Monday. It did go smooth. I liked two people I was interviewed with. Very pleasant. But nothing more. I expected to hear from them by the last Friday but the day was Veteran’s Day so the office was closed. I pretty much know by now I didn’t get it since the process isn’t moving at a rapid rate. I shot just one follow-up email to the recruiter. No reply. Now it is confirmed that I did not get the job. I deleted all the correspondences with this recruiter because I don’t want my hope to linger any longer by thinking about “but what if…!”.
In fact, one of my coworkers at my current work – she used to a hiring manager and had conducted countless of interviews. She said typically she knows who to hire pretty much within five mins. the most. She’s recently gotten a promotion. The process happened once again, very fast. When she’s done with her own interview, she said “I know they (hiring managers) have the decision by now”. She was right. Shortly after, she’s gotten a promotion.
All in all, I don’t think they really are consciously trying to “ignore” other unsuccessful candidates. For instance, last week I got a call from a candidate asking me to deliver her message to my boss about her interview outcome. I did, but my boss just tore my note saying “‘Oh I filled the position already, so don’t worry ’bout it.” Terrible? ABSOLUTELY. I would never do that to any candidate IF I were her. My manger too, would be just as anxious as this girl if their places were traded. I think there are many people who fail to put themselves in other’s shoes, because we human beings all essentially have a natural tendency to be egocentric.
I personally feel the urgency to let each candidate know whatever the outcome – but that’s because I have my own many experiences being stranded and I hated every second of it.
I figure I’ll comment, because I am so angry. 3 interviews for seasonal and only 1 calls back to say no. Both the others said they would call me back and both seemed promising. One was “You’re going to have to wait for a 2nd manager to do the second interview, but we will be calling you this week”, the other they said no matter what we would know if we had the job or not that day “after the interview”, and it’s been a week and nothing. I called back Sunday, talked to the manager and he says he will be calling me tomorrow. Tomorrow was two days ago.
It’s even worse trying to find a job in government. The hiring managers are so afraid of making the wrong decision that they can’t make a decision. Or,they’re too busy doing the work of the other 4 people who’ve already been laid off. Or, they’re waiting for the big boss to approve the selected candidate, or for HR to complete the background check. Hell with ‘ em. Keep on looking!
It just amazes me. You spend money and time on new clothes, research, gasoline, etc. and the interviewer will not simply call and say thank you, but no thanks. Inhumane.
But then the next question is “why” or “Can you give me some feedback?”
I guess the easiest answer is someone else’s experience lines up better. But what if the candidate has the perfect background and experience for the position? What if they were just too aggressive in the interview, or too passive… or they reeked of smoke? There are a million reasons I might feel someone wouldn’t be good in the role or at the company. Those are the things you can’t say… and it’s easier to just say “we hired the candidate who was the best match for the position” when the job is filled. And leave it at that…
I utterly and completely feel it’s not only just rude, but unprofessional for interviewers not to followup in the allotted time that they give you after you’ve completed the interview. They STRESS and emphasize on professionalism, time management, etc. and don’t follow thru with it themselves. It makes me quite angry when I go OUT of my way to make sure I’m on time, dressed professionally (which isn’t really a big issue for me), resumé in hand and/or having whatever else they’ve asked me to bring, SOMETIMES MORE, to the interview. You mean to tell me I sat in traffic for an hour, woke up two hours earlier than I normally would, skipped breakfast with the thought that it’d possibly make me late FOR THIS INTERVIEW, got lost trying to find this building in the middle of nowhere, asked a million and one people how to spruce up my resumé more to impress YOU and yo ass can’t even call me back to let me know if I’ve gotten, OR EVEN NOT GOTTEN, the job?! REALLY?!?!?!
It’s just downright, flatout pathetic.
I’ve read a few comments and I’m not replying to anyone specifically; just stating my opinion. Sorry for the harsh language, but I feel VERY strongly about this topic. :)
I have to disagree with this. Quite frankly, I’d much rather have someone tell me right away if I’m not suited for the job rather than them just simply lie to me and give me false hope. I understand it seems kind of rude to be up front and personal about your idea of the candidate but I’d much rather be told ASAP about my job status rather than never get a call back. Our lives sometimes revolve around the possibility of getting a job, and sitting there waiting for the possible call when in reality there is no call is just plane rude for anyone to do. I think it doesn’t take much effort to call someone and tell them that they didn’t get the job so why wait now.
This situation has so much to do with the stage of the interview process. I was recently in a 2 1/2 month interview, receiving positive feedback throughout the last 3 rounds of interviews. Was told that they all loved me and the 4th round of interviews was a formality. After interviewing with that 4th round, received a call the next day and was told that initial feedback was very positive, It’s now 7 days later and I haven’t heard from them. I’ve called a couple times and emailed too, I have another offer and wanted to get their feedback before I made a decision— still no word. After such a long process, I would hope they would have the common courtesy to let me know if they didn’t find me suitable for the position, especially after all the very positive feedback. I am very tempted to let them know that they should treat people better and that people can handle the bad news, it’s better than not knowing. The issue is still unresolved but I plan to email one last time and ask for a response either way. I suppose I have already given up on the opportunity in my mind, but I feel the need to insist on a response in this situation. if it were a first or second round interview I would leave it alone, but I just can’t do that with a 4th round.
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Maybe they teach these tactics in an HR course? In computer science, the value of “unknown” is not Yes or No, it is unknown. For HRs, maybe it leans more towards a No.
To be honest I’ve had good luck getting results from interviews. It is still a pain when they tell you you were in the top 5 but didn’t get it, or that you have great skills and experience but they had to go with another candidate. There were a couple of times, though, that it seemed like the answer was made up BS (e.g. not the right kind of experience, background). It’s been rare that I hear absolutely nothing after an interview, so when it does happen that gets my curiosity going.
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“because you won’t get rejected”?
There is always a possibility that you will get rejected! No matter how good you are someone could be better, no matter what it is. It’s best to not let the rejection get to you and move on. This is why you give terrible advice.