Not hearing back from job applications and never hearing back on time from job interviews

Jade081216

I was wondering if anyone has experienced not hearing back from job applications, when there was part of the advert that states either way you will know if you get called for a interview or not?
Also, has anyone experienced being told after a job interview you will hear if you've got the job or not no later then 2 days after interview? But you either hear 3 or 4 days later from interviewer, or have to ring up yourself to find out what's happening. And are still waiting a week later to hear if you've got the position?

Mrsn

I can’t comment on the actual interview part but I’ve never seen an advert that states they’ll let you know whether you will get called for an interview or not. What sort of roles is it that you are applying for?

My husband who has recently been job searching due to redundancy quiet often didn’t hear anything after the initial application was sent and has certainly not had a phone call to say he didn’t get the job...

motorguy

Jade081216 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone has experienced not hearing back from job applications, when there was part of the advert that states either way you will know if you get called for a interview or not?
Also, has anyone experienced being told after a job interview you will hear if you've got the job or not no later then 2 days after interview? But you either hear 3 or 4 days later from interviewer, or have to ring up yourself to find out what's happening. And are still waiting a week later to hear if you've got the position?

I'm an IT contractor so end up applying for jobs quite regularly as its fixed term work.

Yes, no matter how much adverts say they'll contact all applicants invariably they dont. They'll only contact those they're interested in taking forward.

Likewise RE: interviews theres always lots of head nodding and assurances about contact times, but they are rarely met. Sometimes no news is good news and slow moving HR departments or budgetary approval takes time, but i dont think theres any harm in following up after the time suggested to check on progress.

elsien

When I was recruiting we stopped informing people they weren't invited to interview because of the increasing number of applicants who clearly weren't interested and were chucking in forms to satisfy DWP requirements.

With regards to letting people know, that would depend on how long it took the person offered the job to decide if they wanted or not. We would aim to do it in a few days but it did sometimes take longer and we didn't want to say no to the next person only to go back a week later saying "actually...."

TELLIT01

Many adverts state that if you haven't heard by x date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful, but I haven't personally seen any which state that all applicants will be advised whether or not they will get an interview. I'm not doubting it happens and if that is stated in the application then the company / agency should inform you.
It's far from unusual for a company to take more than a couple of days to inform applicants of the outcome. I would actually suggest that any company saying they will inform people within 48 hours are being unrealistic. Those who are definitely unsuccessful can be informed in that timescale, but applicants on the 'possibles' list can't be informed of the outcome until the preferred applicant has been informed and has accepted the role.

yksi

It's common but imo disgusting. Failing to get back to an applicant shows a complete lack of respect for their time and effort in making the application and shows the way they treat employees. I would suggest that when an employer fails to get in contact, consider yourself lucky not to work for a company that obviously thinks they are too good to respect your time. The good employers recognise that they aren't "doing people a favour" by employing someone - employment should be a mutually beneficial arrangement where BOTH parties help one another, not a situation of staff licking the bosses backside.

The exception is when you've actually been to an interview. They rarely don't contact unsuccessful applicants, and you could assume they've had trouble contacting or misdialled your number etc - I think it's absolutely fine to phone and ask, even if it's frustrating and a bit awkward. If they mumble that you weren't successful and make a lame excuse for not bothering to contact, I would immediately thank them and ask for feedback. Hopefully that makes them feel embarrassed.

elsien

There are many applicants who put no time or effort into their applications and who fail to turn up to interviews without bothering to tell the employer.
It really isn't as one-sided as your post implies.

lufcgirl

I can only speak for myself as a recruiter for a company, I cover a part of the country and recruit all positions there on behalf of my employer.

Monday-Friday if I receive an application for an role like a driver and it’s quite apparent you have no driving experience, I will decline it immediately, usually within an hour. If you do have experience, I might call you and let you know the first steps. Always within the first 24 hours for both shortlisted and unsuccessful applicants.

If it’s the weekend obviously I wouldn’t come back until Monday but I make it my role to inform applicants as soon as possible. Nine times out of ten they’re expecting a decline email as they’ve applied to a role they are completely unsuited to. On occasion I’ve had emails back telling me they’ve missed experience off and asking me to reconsider and I would.


In regards to job offers, the site managers conduct the interviews so it’s down to them as to when the candidate would find out as I would be waiting for them to inform me. Sometimes it’s within ten minutes, sometimes it’s a few days. But I do keep in touch with candidates throughout, and even if unsuccessful after interview I email to let them know.

I always think how I’d want to be treated as a jobseeker and go with that, and I haven’t had any complaints so far. But then again I work for one company out of the millions in the country so probably in the minority.

[Deleted User]

Jade081216 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone has experienced not hearing back from job applications, when there was part of the advert that states either way you will know if you get called for a interview or not?
Also, has anyone experienced being told after a job interview you will hear if you've got the job or not no later then 2 days after interview? But you either hear 3 or 4 days later from interviewer, or have to ring up yourself to find out what's happening. And are still waiting a week later to hear if you've got the position?

I've never seen the job advert which says they will let you know either way. Perhaps you can clarify?
The only time I've had 'full cradle to grave service' (ie. After interview letting you know either way is in the nhs and finance companies)

The last time I was told someone would be back to me in the next 24-48 hours was for an interview attended 9am on 23rd December - when no one came back to me by 5pm on the 24th I presumed I had been unsuccessful and the last time and only time of 2020 chasing an employer who said yeah, yeah; we've been unindated with applications (which the job board in one of their generic alert emails confirmed as 47 applications) didn't come back to me on date given in their chase reply so I'm quite brutal in thinking that's unsuccessful and not deserving of any more thought.

Second interviews seem to be flavour of the moment anyway.

Personally beyond maximum of 14 days of no response should be archived/chalked up as no.

Savvy_Sue

lufcgirl wrote: »

I can only speak for myself as a recruiter for a company, I cover a part of the country and recruit all positions there on behalf of my employer.

Monday-Friday if I receive an application for an role like a driver and it’s quite apparent you have no driving experience, I will decline it immediately, usually within an hour. If you do have experience, I might call you and let you know the first steps. Always within the first 24 hours for both shortlisted and unsuccessful applicants.

<snip>

I always think how I’d want to be treated as a jobseeker and go with that, and I haven’t had any complaints so far. But then again I work for one company out of the millions in the country so probably in the minority.

BUT it's also worth pointing out that your job is as a recruiter.

I'm not saying you do nothing else, but that's obviously a key part of your job.

We don't have a 'recruiter'. We have people trying to do their regular job, with a vacancy on the team, and fitting recruitment into an already busy day / week / month.

We do usually respond to everyone, but forgive us if it takes a while ...

Cade_Foster

yksi wrote: »

The exception is when you've actually been to an interview. They rarely don't contact unsuccessful applicants, and you could assume they've had trouble contacting or misdialled your number etc - I think it's absolutely fine to phone and ask, even if it's frustrating and a bit awkward. If they mumble that you weren't successful and make a lame excuse for not bothering to contact, I would immediately thank them and ask for feedback. Hopefully that makes them feel embarrassed.

I've been to a number of interviews, where they have promised to let you know and to get in touch and never have despite repeated attempts.

People may have taken time off, lost money/holidays ect to attend interview but haven't got courtesy to contact unsuccessful applicants is disgusting.

It takes seconds to be professional.