Why do interviewers say they'll 'let you know either way' and then don't??

warden1989

This is a bit of a frustrated rant, but I am seriously struggling to understand this. It's happened to me three times in the last few months. Interviewers will make a big deal out of saying 'You'll hear from us either way' and then just don't bother.

Why bother saying that if you don't intend to follow through? Just say 'If you've not heard from us by so and so, you've not been successful'. What is the point of lying? Can anyone here shed some light on this?

Horace

No idea but if they don't contact me during the first week after interview then I assume that I have been unsuccessful and ask them for feedback.

Acc72

At the time of saying it they may mean it - after all it is the right thing to do and it also makes them look like a good recruiter.


However in the cold light of day, it is nice to call somebody to tell them that they have got the job, but not so nice to tell somebody that they haven't.


At this stage they panic, and pretend that they have something more pressing that they need to do and eventually forget about it (whilst hoping that the interviewee will also forget about it).


I understand your frustration - trying to get honest, useful feedback is virtually impossible.

*zippy*

After 3 interviews for different departments with a well known company and not hearing either way as promised I emailed their HR to say I found this disappointing, they replied it would be investigated and they'd get back to me, which of course they didn't :rotfl: Though they now keep emailing me that they're considering my applications for jobs I've not applied for, useless!

Just a polite email would be better than hearing nothing. I had an opposite experience with Boots, I had an interview, but decided not to go for it as had another offer. I had a lovely email thanking me for taking the time to apply and wishing me future success etc, it left me with completely positive view of them as a company.

d70cw6

something to say to finish the interview most likely.
not really rocket surgery

kwmlondon

I get really annoyed when I'm told I can get feedback if I'm not successful. Fair play, some people give some comments - which is always really appreciated, even if it's "a more suitable candidate was appointed." But then I take it as thinking I'd not want to work for people who don't have the guts to say "we have many applicants and are very busy so we can't give feedback to unsuccessful candidates."

I used to have to call people who'd applied for research funding and tell them they'd not gotten through. I always called them first, and the successful people after so I'd finish the day on a high!

Melaniep101

I had an interview yesterday and was told by the interviewer that I'd be a great fit for the role, and to expect a second interview, only to be told by the recruitment agency this morning the exact opposite! Another £20 train fare and an afternoon's leave wasted!

sarettawow

Did you apply for the job via a recruitment agency?

If so, the agent which procured you the interview is not getting back to you.

The people interviewing you, the company, probably got in touch with the recruitment agency which headhunted you.

The agent, seeing as they're not going to make money out of you, don't bother wasting time letting you know and off they go chasing other applicants/other vacancies...

I once read a post on linkedin about this, it was posted by a recruitment agent. Not sure if I am allowed to link to it, though. It was very interesting.

CCFC_80

Recruitment agents are generally horrible people. Full of liars and hypocrites.They make your average everyday estate agent look like a saint

DigForVictory

As it takes bottle to say "sorry, no" & cope with the responses.

Which given that a polite email is not rocket science, is a shame.

James_B.

warden1989 wrote: »

This is a bit of a frustrated rant, but I am seriously struggling to understand this. It's happened to me three times in the last few months. Interviewers will make a big deal out of saying 'You'll hear from us either way' and then just don't bother.

Why bother saying that if you don't intend to follow through? Just say 'If you've not heard from us by so and so, you've not been successful'. What is the point of lying? Can anyone here shed some light on this?

It's probably the best thing to say at the end if you want the candidate to go away. Saying they'll hear "if" they are successful can lead to an argument about manners, that the interviewer has no interest in having.

It can also often be the case that the interviewer themselves believes that HR will follow up, and never gets to know that they don't always do so.