5 Ways Companies Mistreat Job Seekers

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Merely track simple yes or no questions about applicants are treated by companies. No Opinions - Just facts. I was hired by a Major Financial Institution and just days before I was supposed to start and ONE day after I was released from my soon-to-be "ex" employer they rescinded the offer with no explanation and said because they used an internal department that they were not obligated to provide me a specific reason. If companies were to realize that treating their potential recruits poorly could have the same effect as treating their customers poorly maybe that would change the landscape.

DM of FL 10:20AM August 13, 2009

Employees learn the values of a new organization quickly. The quality of relationship during the hiring process provide the first glimpse of the company's priorities. It makes it real clear where it places people in those priorities. Teaching employees--prospective or existing--that people don't matter has a devastating.
When colleagues don't value one another, their talents are wasted time and again.
When employees convey disdain for customers, businesses are in jeopardy.
And people are so very good at picking up when others don't care. So it always matters a lot.
Michael
www.workengagement.com/crew

Michael Leiter of MA 12:38PM August 12, 2009

If they treat you like this before you're hired...just imagine work life after you've been "courted."
I've been doing research, public education, and advocacy work to stop workplace bullying for the past 10 years. This sounds like "pre-bullying" to me!
You can read a lot about workplace bullying on my blog, Minding the Workplace, at http://newworkplace.wordpress.com.
David Yamada
Professor of Law and Director, New Workplace Institute
Suffolk University Law School

David Yamada of MA 1:07AM August 10, 2009

I've been soured on several organizations I'd previously respected after being hassled for salary history, not getting my calls returned for months after interviews, and having an executive director not call me for a scheduled phone interview. Turned out he'd already made a hire and took off for Alaska. A friend just had SIX interviews for a position, one requiring a trip across the country, and then the organization decided not to hire anyone. Re salary history or requirements: I'm already at a disadvantage in salary negotiations as a woman and an underpaid nonprofit professional. Just publish your range! I've done plenty of hiring, and I have never heard a good justification for doing otherwise. Remember: you're making one relatively small business decision. I'm making a life decision. Happily, this all goes the other way too. I've interviewed for jobs that I didn't get but ended up a big fan of the organization. I may be the woman with a resume in the waiting room today, but tomorrow I could be your client, donor, or peer. And I've got a long memory.

Sarah J. of DC 3:19AM August 07, 2009

Great post!
I once had a company interview me for a position. After 10 minutes into the conversation, he started to ask questions testing my knowledge of a particular software. He probed for 25 mins straight, writing down in great detail what I was saying.
Halfway through, I realized that this entire interview was a hoax. It was just to get me to come in and provide him with my expertise of the subject matter for free. He had no intention of hiring me and just wanted the info so that he could turn around and present it to his clients.
Considering that I was laid off and I was desperately looking for work at the time, I played along at the time. But to this day, it angers me on how some employers take advantage of candidates.
-Arif
DebugLife.com

DebugLife.com 12:39AM August 07, 2009

Thank you, Ms. Green! I can't tell you how many times in the last year and a half I have been asked my salary requirements with no reciprocity (effectively putting me between a rock and a hard place on the spot - one incident was so comical, I almost burst out laughing at the ineptitude, and the woman interviewing me left the organization a few months later), not given time lines, and most of all, not ever receiving so much as a generic email back saying the position I interviewed for was filled (although I had the "pleasure" of getting a rude phone call rejection AND a letter AND an email from one non-profit. I still can't figure out what the heck I did to warrant that!).
It's very frustrating when you really have prepared and checked off everything on the interview preparation/conduct list. I know this is happening to a lot of other people in the same boat, and I think the recession has made this behavior much worse, given that its totally a buyer's market out there. Some people think it is a license for power-tripping and dismissive behavior. People interviewing should know that karma can be a bitch, and you should be treating others the way you would like to be treated, for you could be next. Besides, its just the right thing to do, period, regardless if you make an offer to that person or not.
This is precisely why, when I am treated with courtesy, respect, and professionalism during an interview and after receiving a rejection, I thank them wholeheartedly for giving me a fair chance, and let them know how much I appreciated their professional conduct during the interviewing process, and wish them well with the new hire (and I mean it, despite my disappointment).

Kathy of PA 8:22PM August 03, 2009

I can relate to all of these points. I was unemployed for 6 months, even though I have a technical background, I couldn't find anything (from an engineer to an apparel rack pusher at Macy's to a receptionist). I looked for work, pounded the pavement, and applied online every single day for months.
I used to attend sales seminars, and a good point that I always remembered was that out of 10 prospects...ultimately you end up with one that will actually seriously consider your product/service. The same with jobs - out of 10 responses/interviews, possibly one offer will occur. Of course with the current economy, the odds are probably lower.
Another point that was reiterated time and time again was to put opportunities into a funnel. Some will fall through, but most won't. Opportunities come about, and it's okay to pursue them, but stay out there and explore others.
I don't mean to put a negative spin on job searches but looking at the big picture puts the individual incidents into perspective. It’s just a numbers game at the end of the day.
Submitting resumes online, staying socially active (in person and online), protecting your online reputation, exploring opportunities through friends/colleagues (and their networks), going to chamber of commerce events, professional society meetings, etc. will keep you distracted from any one opportunity. Focus on relationships, as that's how most jobs are obtained.
Create a professional business card with your contact information on the front and a summary of your qualifications on the back. This will grab people's attention. Please pay for the cards instead of the free ones with the supplier's logo on the back. If possible, start a basic website giving a more information about you. I was able to get a free 12 month website through Intuit.
Best of luck,
Daphne Robinson
www.careercougar.com

Daphne Robinson of CT 8:16PM August 03, 2009

So how do we teach good companies these principles?

Garth Braithwaite of NV 4:32PM August 03, 2009

I know this all too well!
Having been out looking for a job for sometime I find it appalling how rude potential employers can be and the fact that they think we as interviewees must be flexible, jump through hoops to change our schedules, spend money we don't have because we are unemployed to get into an interview, for them to say the person you were supposed to interview with just went to lunch, can we reschedule you...eeek...
and then after all that drama NEVER get a note or a call back to say those simple words "we filled the position" it is like dating THAT guy all over again.. you know the one that never calls!! ANNOYING!!
Employers need to get it right... they are lucky to have us there, just as we are lucky to have an interview. Both should show professional respect for each other as thou they are a potential client. Sadly this does not happen. Your article was well said thanks so much for sharing .

Aimee of CA 3:27PM August 03, 2009