Dealing with HR when interviewing

I understand that the typical practice of HR departments these days is to simply never contact job candidates that have been rejected. But this seems like terrible policy to me. A boilerplate rejection e-mail seems like it would take minimal effort and cut off future phone calls and e-mails asking for status updates. Also, it seems downright unprofessional.

Anybody know why they do this?

If someone was positively (or I guess negatively) rejected in a very specific recruiting process for a specific position, they tend to call or email.

If the interviewers or HR want to keep the candidate on ice because they're not 100% sure they'll ding him and need to see if they find "better" candidates in the mean time, then they tend to stay silent and not return calls/emails.

Originally Posted by gdl203

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If someone was positively (or I guess negatively) rejected in a very specific recruiting process for a specific position, they tend to call or email.

If the interviewers or HR want to keep the candidate on ice because they're not 100% sure they'll ding him and need to see if they find "better" candidates in the mean time, then they tend to stay silent and not return calls/emails.

But don't they let such candidates know they're "on hold"?

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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But don't they let such candidates know they're "on hold"?

Usually they don't.

Originally Posted by gdl203

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Usually they don't.

Well, that also seems wrong. Oh well. It's a cruel, indifferent world.

My understanding .. if they don't request your references, and immediately contact them .. don't hold your breath. Another good reason not to put references on your resume .. good indicator of employer interest when they actually for your references.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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Well, that also seems wrong. Oh well. It's a cruel, indifferent world.

A lawyer is saying this?

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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Well, that also seems wrong. Oh well. It's a cruel, indifferent world.

This is how I felt about 10 years ago when I came to NYC and started dating. It took me a few months to understand the passive-aggressive code of communication.

It's because they get 300 applications for each opening. It's hours of pointless work.

There is no point in following up. If HR doesn't contact you, they are not interested.

I may have misunderstood the OP. Are we talking about communicating decisions after interviews, etc... or simply after sending a resume and application? I was replying under the impression that we were discussing the former. If the latter, then see holymadness's post - they don't communicate with all applicants that are not selected to come in for interviews.

Originally Posted by imschatz

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My understanding .. if they don't request your references, and immediately contact them .. don't hold your breath. Another good reason not to put references on your resume .. good indicator of employer interest when they actually for your references.

Interesting. I'll look into making that mod.

Originally Posted by gdl203

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This is how I felt about 10 years ago when I came to NYC and started dating. It took me a few months to understand the passive-aggressive code of communication.

It bugs the f*ck out of me--like people who whip out their Blackberrys for non-work socializing in the middle of dinner.

Originally Posted by holymadness

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It's because they get 300 applications for each opening. It's hours of pointless work.

There is no point in following up. If HR doesn't contact you, they are not interested.

I'm talking about post-interview, not post-application.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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I'm talking about post-interview, not post-application.

In that case, I have never heard of such a policy or seen one in practice.

Originally Posted by holymadness

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In that case, I have never heard of such a policy or seen one in practice.
Apparently it is quite common in certain industries. I'm unfamiliar with it, too, as law firms are fairly responsive. A rejection always meant a formal letter in the mail--even if you never had an interview.

At one place I interviewed with two-ish years ago, the actual hiring manager told me that even though it was company policy to send out at least a form email of rejection to real candidates (not just resumes), they were so overwhelmed that it wasn't happening.

He also mentioned that officially, the policy was that the hiring manager would get ALL resumes that applied directly for a position. . .not the case anymore.

Last article I read said that there are 6 unemployed for every 1 job opening. Any class on the part of companies has been thrown out.

when I was interviewing for the job I have now, I must have had 6 interviews that simply didn't send me anything.