Why Companies Don't Respond to Job Seekers

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As someone who has been seeking gainful employment for the last 2 1/2 years, I have to say that I find i peculiar and frustrating that employers expect professionalism from prospective employees without quid pro quo. I understand that in our current economical situation, it may be difficult for employer "wade thru" the numerous resumes in a timely fashion much less respond to them all personally. But I find it very discourteous when an employer invites me for an interview, engages with me for an hour or more, usually ending on what seems a positive note, and then refuses to at least extend me the courtesy of some sort of communication informing me of my status. This negligence comes after I have sent a polite thank you letter or email within 24 hours and waited at least a week before I contact them about my status. In one case I contacted one employer once a week via email for over two months before they finally decided to respond, informing me that budget cuts had eliminated the position. It is my hope that someday employers will hold themselves to the same standards they expect of thos of us who desire to be their employees.

Irked of CA 7:11PM August 24, 2012

After being employed at the same company for twelve years, I was recently laid off, becoming another one of the 'faceless, unworking masses.' I am shocked at how much has changed in the employment culture since then. From the 'convenient' on-line application process (by which I mean a thirty minute odyssey, filling out little boxes with the same information my resume already has), to 'behavioral' interview questions (tell you about my most Zen-like experience??). What I've found to be the most disheartening is how impersonal and just plain rude most potential employers have become. Its hard not to be jaded and defensive. I don't want to waste my time feeling vindictive either - after all, I'm sure they'd forgotten about me as soon as the interview was over. But it does affect my opinion of the companies that treated me this way. Especially the smaller, local businesses. To me, it is almost the same as a bad, unresolved customer experience...

shell shocked of WA 6:15PM July 12, 2012

Couldn't agree more Allison. I am one of those people who email companies to thank them for sending correspondence even if I didn't get the position, simply because it is so rare these days for them to correspond with applicants at all. Thanks for another wonderfully validating article!

Lacey of CO 11:51PM November 15, 2011

I see since this post 3 years ago, maybe it's worse. I was wondering the same, why after interviewing a candidate would you not at least sorry, but no thanks. Worse yet saying I'll get back with you in a couple day, then not and also not respond to the "follow up" email. I understand not responding to the hundreds of applicants that apply for a position but in my opinion there is no excuse to not let someone know who you have interviewed. It's rude and extremely frustrating for the person who is seeking employment. I wonder how they would feel if they were on the other side of things.

Chris of IL 4:24PM October 28, 2011

I think that if you're having job applicants go through up to a half-hour or more of their time filling out applications, then the least that can be done is to be sent a form email saying you're out of the running. Even if your company doesn't have a resume management program, what about Outlook, BCC, and copy-paste? Why be so lazy as to be inconsiderate.
But what I think is worse is when employers actually interview me as a job applicant - over the phone, and/or in person, and then don't respond. I have to take time out of my schedule, prepare for the interview, study up on the company, get my hair done, buy a nice outfit, drive a long way in my beater car, pay for parking that isn't reimbursed, etc., which is a heck of a sacrifice for me as a grad student working two part-time jobs that don't pay much. I interview with these people and the interviewer says "we'll call you next week for next steps" and even ask for my schedule. Then the employer doesn't bother to send anything, not even a two-or-three line email, saying I didn't get the job. Nothing justifies that.

Jaye of OH 12:17AM September 15, 2011

To the pweson who said..stop F____n with us, I say Thank God spoke up!! Isn't it amazing that there are "countless Proper etiquette to follow" advice tips for job applicants(you know, don't be anxiousa, don't call back too much or at all, just write a thank you letter). Bulls__t! What about these "hiring company's following "Etiquette" instead of guttlessly slinking away for having the common "decency" to call or notify an "Applicant" one way or the other after the interview? Why must that burden only be on the applicant? If these firms begin shi____g this early in the game, can you imagine how they trewat their employees who they pay salaries too? Either way, company's should be held to the same levels of "Professional Etiquette" or as my generation called it "COMMON DECENCY".
Fed up job seeker!

of NJ 5:37PM June 26, 2011

Thank you for this! I am glad there is someone "on the inside" who agrees. I have been unemployed for quite awhile, and applied to about 100 jobs. I received maybe 10 rejection letters in all that time.
One company flew me 1,000 miles for an interview, reserved a rental car for me, put me up in a hotel, and even had their real estate agent give me a tour of the town...only to never speak to me again.
Another company cold-called me, saying they had an old resume I had submitted a year or more before for an internship. They were ramping up hiring and were interested in me and wanted an updated resume. If I could send it to them quickly they'd get back to me by the end of the week. I promptly obliged, and called the recruiter back when I hadn't heard from him by the timeline he specified. I left a voicemail and sent a follow-up email, and again- never heard from them again.
Those were the two most outrageous examples that still make my blood boil. By this point I just accept that I won't even receive acknowledgment of receipt of my application for 90% of jobs I apply to.

Laura of NJ 12:36AM November 30, 2010

Well considered article. In an age of sophisticated communications technologies, there really is no excuse for not contacting applicants with a yea or neigh. I have lived in other countries in which a job application was _always_ responded to.
Could it be a question of values and simple respect? A recent survey indicated that perception of the level of corruption in the US has deteriorated. Chile, for instance, came out ahead. Such concern may be bolstered by the perspectives of Frank Abidnale ("Catch Me if You Can"). I have heard him in speeches describe a moral disparity or chasm that seems to exist in this country. He chose as just one point of evidence the Wall Street bailout & TARP.
Is it then such a stretch that such a lack of moral values extends to the realm of a simple courtesy of communication?

Jess Hill of NY 10:10AM October 27, 2010

What about companies who make you sign up with a really long form online? For example, taleo.net is used by a lot of companies, who all ask for the same things over and over. However, taleo.net won't allow you to complete ONE profile and then customize it for each company who wants special stuff. It also doesn't do a great job of reading resumes.
Thus, each time you apply for a job, there goes another hour filling out the same information you did before.
Companies like this are screaming "WE DONT WANT TO HIRE ANYONE" loudly.

BK of IL 3:02PM July 27, 2010

I've put in 44 applications the past month, 17 of which I know I have been rejected. Out of those 17, 11 actually sent an email saying that I wasn't selected. The others I had to look at the status in their hiring system. I definitely agree with the article, its inexcusable in this day and age to not send a simple email. If you are a large enough company that uses Taleo or some sort of tracking system, then you have the resources to send an email to those who have been rejected. And even if you don't, you can still easily send an mass email. Put all the rejected candidates on the BCC line so the rejected ones cannot see who else receives the email, and put a message saying that they have not been selected. Saves time on the employers end and makes the candidate aware of their decision.
Some companies are really really good about this, both big and small. In some cases they are too good. I've had a rejection letter as little as an hour after my application. And the job was posted that very same day too.
It's nice to see recruiters on here so we can see their side. I understand that a lot of candidates will apply for jobs they are ridiculously not qualified for, and it is a waste of time to follow-up on those. But let's face it, almost every job posting has inflated requirements to try and get more experienced people to apply. I do apply for jobs even though I don't have the required experience, as I do have very little as a recent IT college grad. I could understand someone in writing or science applying for an IT job, but as long as we are reasonably qualified, we are going to apply. And for those of us that are qualified or reasonably qualified, we do appreciate a rejection email at the very least. Even if it is automated.

Steven of IL 6:48PM June 29, 2010