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Original poster

Hiring manager ignored me after referral

68 replies

theworriermum · 05/03/2025 20:52

Has this ever happened to anyone or any advice appreciated.

An ex colleague who I didn't know personally but worked with, contacted me on LinkedIn to say the company they now work for have a role which they thought for me for straight away.

Indeed it's exactly my role and region, so made perfect sense to me.

I explained I was away for 2 weeks but keen to learn more and asked what was required.

A personal email address for an intro to the hiring manager (VP based in US) and my CV, then this person could officially refer me in.

I explained my CV wouldn't be refreshed until I was home but sent my email for the intro. It went quiet. Just under a week later he said thanks, he would let me apply directly and would make the intro. Nothing. I left it a few days and said 'look forward to the intro'.

Eventually it came and was a glowing referral. I was touched by the kind words (Chatgpt probably helped). I emailed back to the hiring manager and explained I was away but would be back on x date the very happy to meet in the meantime and be flexible around her schedule.

That was a week ago and she ignored me. As I have been away I didn't follow up but plan to do so tomorrow.

I just feel if she had a candidate pipeline problem she wouldn't have ignored me. I also find it rude she hasn't event responded. Firstly someone in her reporting line emailed the into and then I emailed back, she missed both?!

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
SoftPillow · 06/03/2025 08:01

If you haven’t sent a CV I’m not sure you’ve done more than be connected with the hiring manager. We wouldn’t consider this an application, there’s nothing to take forward.

In order to ensure fairness all applications must be received via official channels and with a CV, even referrals that start as intros and headhunts. We wouldn’t meet you informally first, that would again be unfair on other candidates and quite possibly a waste of hiring manager time, you’d have a standard recruitment process.

We also move fast, jobs are filled quickly.

rookiemere · 06/03/2025 07:56

@theworriermum I think you must be the exception. Most people want to see a CV before spending time meeting a candidate.

I don't think you did anything wrong, other than being surprised the hiring manager hasn't reached out to you. They likely will once you send in your CV.

Original poster
theworriermum · 06/03/2025 07:52

Usernamexyz1 · 06/03/2025 06:40

Why the need to mention I am away this and that? That would put me off a little or at best feel like pp said ‘great, I don’t have to answer now but follow my normal rct process’.

constant I am away this and that sound would come off as hard work. When I was discussing a role, I only mentioned the national election day I had to get up at 4:30am for as day away voting. I had other days away, but I have a phone so no need to mention them! No matter adding ‘I can be flexible around her- those are just words!’

and now, you are just taking it personally which is the impression ‘I am away xyz’ gave off- I know you didn’t intend it to- but read like things evolve around you, just as your reaction demonstrates. I hope you get a role but learn to be a bit more objective: what will the other person think? How will I come across if I say xyz?

I take the feedback but curious to know how else you would reply?

The person I know sent a glowing referral email and I'm not in a position to apply as I've been in the same job 5+ years and haven't job hunted, I wasn't looking. Re-working my CV on my phone would be awful formatting.

Having hired people in the past, when I've been recommended someone, I've always met them, no need for CV for an intro call. LinkedIn and a referral has been enough for me, clearly shows a snapshot of the job and company they're in/have been in.

That aside, how would you handle the fact this happened just as I arrived on holiday and would have happily taken the call whilst away and wanted to be clear on timezones.

OP posts:
madamweb · 06/03/2025 07:29

Send the CV?

KrisAkabusi · 06/03/2025 07:25

You've only done 1 of the 2 things required if you. Theres no point in the manager contacting you as you haven't completed YOUR steps! I honestly don't understand why you're on here complaining about them, when it's you holding things up!

SquashedSquashess · 06/03/2025 07:23

Agree with others OP. They’ll want to see your CV before speaking with you.

rookiemere · 06/03/2025 07:14

The really relevant thing here is that the ex colleague wrote a glowing reference.Get them to stick it on LinkedIn and if you genuinely want a new job, get your CV up to date.

Job market is tricky these days, if you want a new job do the leg work.

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 06/03/2025 06:45

They've nothing to respond to yet. Send your cv and go from there. You sound like you're expecting them to do something special because this ex colleague has recommended you - what can they do? You've kind of told them you have something better to do for two weeks which as a hiring manager, I would understand but would put me off. I agree with pp that you don't need to tell them this and that!

Just send your cv, say thanks for waiting and see what they say.

Usernamexyz1 · 06/03/2025 06:40

Why the need to mention I am away this and that? That would put me off a little or at best feel like pp said ‘great, I don’t have to answer now but follow my normal rct process’.

constant I am away this and that sound would come off as hard work. When I was discussing a role, I only mentioned the national election day I had to get up at 4:30am for as day away voting. I had other days away, but I have a phone so no need to mention them! No matter adding ‘I can be flexible around her- those are just words!’

and now, you are just taking it personally which is the impression ‘I am away xyz’ gave off- I know you didn’t intend it to- but read like things evolve around you, just as your reaction demonstrates. I hope you get a role but learn to be a bit more objective: what will the other person think? How will I come across if I say xyz?

ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 06/03/2025 06:25

Fgs. Recruitment is a process. Apply through the usual channel. What makes you think this person has any sway with the hiring manager?
However, why would a person you didn't know personally would suddenly contact you about a job. That's weird

Notverygoodatusernames · 06/03/2025 06:18

Agree with previous posters - you need to send a CV.

BeardieWeirdie · 06/03/2025 06:14

Surely you have your CV on email in your sent box? And if not, write up a new one while you’re away if you want the job. If I were the hiring manager I wouldn’t be looking at you too favourably if you couldn’t manage to even do this.

verycloakanddaggers · 06/03/2025 06:06

I think you're taking this too personally. You've no idea if the hiring manager is even at work.

Send your CV and be gracious, what else can you do? Job hunting involves disappointment.

Spirallingdownwards · 06/03/2025 06:02

It's only been a week.

You haven't sent your CV yet as requested as far as I can make out. Why would she be contacting you without having seen that?

She is waiting for the full set of information surely. It is you that hasn't finished the process requested of you.

Trickabrick · 06/03/2025 05:58

Have you sent your CV yet? Because if I was the hiring manager I wouldn’t be wasting my time interacting with a candidate who had t yet formally applied.

BlondiePortz · 06/03/2025 02:12

They dont have to reply to you, if they want to contact you they will it is up to them

InWalksBarberalla · 06/03/2025 02:09

If someone emailed me to say they were away but would be back on such and such day I'd think great I don't have to respond now. And continue following my standard recruitment process.

CaptainRosy · 06/03/2025 01:09

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