About unsuccessful interviews

[LittleMisslikestobebythesea]

I had a job interview in a school last week, which I didn't expect to get an interview for as there are hundreds of applicants for them, so I was pleased to get an interview, but not surprised not to be successful as I know a lot of the time volunteers who already work in the school are lined up for the job.

Anyway my interview was on Thursday, they said successful candidate would receive a phone call that day, so I knew I wasn't successful, but would it be so hard to just send a quick email to say thanks for coming, sorry you were unsuccessful?

It's through the council recruitment, and I know they will be busy (I used to work in council recruitment) but how long does a polite email take to send? (Interviews were sent by email).

Feel free to tell me AIBU, but I still haven't heard anything, obviously I know I am unsuccessful, but acknowledgment would be nice.

[Topseyt]

I do tend to agree with you. I have been applying for jobs for a long time, and so many times you get no acknowledgment whatsoever. It can be so disillusioning.

I am always surprised when I get any form of acknowledgment at all, even when it is just to tell me I have been unsuccessful. I've just got so used to getting nothing.

[londonrach]

Dh still waiting to hear about one job interview but bearing in mind that was over 3 years ago don't think he got it. It's rude and tbh I wouldn't want to work for a company, school etc that doesn't let you know... Good luck with the interviews x

[CuttingOutTheCrap]

YANBU. Granted, there may have been a lot of applicants and it takes time (and therefore money) to follow up with everyone, but given that everyone's details are already available (eg to send out invitations to interview) a short generic 'sorry but you were unsuccessful this time' message would be easy to arrange, cost little and could be very beneficial in PR terms for the organisation (not to mention the morale of applicants!) Unfortunately it seems to be very much the exception to the rule these days.

[LancashireMan]

It's become a British "tradition" not to reply if candidate unsuccessful. A highly impolite way of treating people, esp those who have made a big effort to attend interview. On an international scale,(e.g. compared with practices in USA, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia) this is viewed as third world behaviour.

[fascicle]

It will be rude if they don't reply. But they might be waiting for the person they wish to appoint to accept the post, and for satisfactory references to be received. If other interviewees meet their criteria, they might not want to send out rejection letters just in case there's a blip with the chosen candidate. Hope you hear soon.

[frostyfingers]

It's part of the joy of the interview process I'm afraid - rude and perfectly avoidable though. If you've had an interview the very least they can do is let you know, but I've got used to it. It's ok for you to spend loads of time on an application, and then if you get the interview preparing and actually going to it, but beyond many employers to bother spending 5 minutes per person letting them know the outcome.

I sent one application in to an agency for a specific post (5 pages of the damn thing including a personal statement, plus a covering letter) and when I hadn't heard anything two weeks after the deadline (not even a read receipt on the email) I contacted them. You'd think I'd asked them an incredibly difficult question judging by the reaction - the surprise in the lady's voice was huge and all I got was "oh, no you didn't get an interview" - really, I'd never have guessed!

You (sort of) get used to it.....

[TaliZorahVasNormandy]

I had an interview yesterday, tomorrow is D day.

I'm lucky to even get interviews, most the time I dont.

[LittleMisslikestobebythesea]

Thank you for your replies, I don't expect a reply if I don't get an interview.

But when you take the time to fill in the form, pay money to go on the bus to the interview, etc, I think it's very rude not to send an email at least.

Sounds like its the norm though :(

[LittleMisslikestobebythesea]

Good luck Tali

[TaliZorahVasNormandy]

Thanks Little

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

As a job seeker myself I feel your pain, but it's not do-able. Each job has hundreds of people applying for it usually, they can't get in touch with everyone.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Oh no actually sorry I read it wrong, if you've had an interview they're being very unreasonable! Tosspots.

[PumpkinPie2013]

YANBU I work in a College and we always contact everyone who attends interview by phone whether they were successful or not.

We consider it extremely rude not to when people have taken the time to come.

We can't contact everyone who isn't interviewd due to large applicant numbers but do have a line in the application pack saying 'if you do not hear from us within x weeks please assume your application was unsuccessful'

[CrohnicallyHungry]

I have applied for lots of jobs in schools, and they have always called to let me know if I was unsuccessful. Apart from anything else, it's nice to hear the reason(s) why you didn't get the job, so you know what to work on for next time.

[TaliZorahVasNormandy]

Hungry I've found its the schools that let you know either way.

[Permanentlyexhausted]

They may well be waiting for a firm acceptance before sending out rejection emails. That is only common sense and is what we do.

We are unusual in acknowledging every application as it arrives, and contacting everyone who hasn't been shortlisted, and even giving feedback if asked. We do everything by email.

[HeyBungalowBill]

I think you are right and a polite no thank you email should be sent.

I was told I'd be rang is successful and I was successful but they didn't ring!
Most people would have forgotten about it but luckily I thought to ring and ask and it turned out a member of staff forgot to ring me on behalf of the manager!!

Could have missed out if I had not checked!

[Aspiringhuman]

YANBU. I think if you get as far as the interview stage there's no decent excuse for a no reply.

[Changebagsandgladrags]

We wait a few days before saying no even though we say yes on the day.

Recently, we had someone turn the job down the next morning. The we contacted the second in line and she said no. We had to go through all the interview notes again because all the other candidates were very close.

[x2boys]

I have been a nurse for nearly twenty years so haven't had an interview for that long ,well I have but internal but when I attended interviews I always got told whether I had been successful or not I think its just rude not to tell people!

[Rabbitcar]

When we interview people at my organisation, we always go back to all unsuccessful applicants with individual feedback, plus the opportunity to call if they want more detailed feedback. We are a large organisation which interviews lots of people, but it's very important to treat all interviewees properly. I'm shocked (and naive?) OP.

[wearenotinkansas]

ime, if you haven't heard after a couple of days it is because you are the second choice, and they are waiting for a signed contract from the person they have offered to. Happened to DP about 4 times last year. Really stressful waiting though

[SistersOfPercy]

Schools do tend to be good at letting you know, but from experience they usually have someone internal lined up for the posts anyway and you are called in to make it look less fixed coughheadmasterswifecough

[TarpalCunnel]

YANBU. Up until recently, I was unemployed for months, and spent hours and hours every week filling out forms, personal statements, answering personality questionnaires etc, and when I finally did get interviews I was over the moon, I had no money for decent clothes so used to borrow off friends, and would walk for over an hour to interviews because I couldnt afford the bus. I made every effort to give the right impression and 9 times out of 10 I would hear nothing back after the interviews. I was told on so many occasions I would be told within a time frame, but it hardly happened.

It was very disheartening to be ignored, I started to feel totally worthless and wondered if I was so bad that maybe they didnt take me seriously and I was stupid to go for it in the first place.