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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset at no response from interview over two weeks ago?

26 replies

YouknowmeIdowhatIdo · 07/05/2024 10:30

I mean, I obviously haven’t got the job, but is it just the done thing now to not contact people if they’re unsuccessful? I had it happen last year when I was the back up option, and they only got back to me as I followed up and explained I had another job offer on the table so wanted to know.

this is a role through a recruiter btw.

OP posts:
Yellowhammer09 · 07/05/2024 10:32

Unfortunately the non-contact route is the common way. I think it's really rude to be left in the lurch, personally.

Have you contacted the recruiter?

frankentall · 07/05/2024 10:33

YANBU but some employers are wankers (sadly quite a lot).

frankentall · 07/05/2024 10:34

Would love to know why anyone's voted YABU. Perhaps they are recruiters who will moan about the "hundreds of applicants" i.e. having to do their actual job.

user1477391263 · 07/05/2024 10:35

I’ve had this done to me as well. It’s so very, very rude. Takes a few seconds to send a template email to someone.

Over the years, I’ve got revenge by encouraging potential customer to go to the rival firm of the company in question.

YouveGotAFastCar · 07/05/2024 10:35

YANBU to be upset, but you're going to leave yourself open to being hurt and disappointed if you expect a reply from interviews. Prepare yourself that you'll only be contacted if you're going to be offered the job. That way if you get contacted, it'll be a bonus.

People will say that there are thousands of applicants for jobs now, and replying to them all takes a long time; and that sending replies increases the number of people who will come back and ask for feedback or another chance - both of which are true, but it used to be "the done thing" that if you interviewed someone, you at least contacted them afterwards. It was part and parcel of hiring.

fluffypuffyrug · 07/05/2024 10:35

It's really poor form.

If someone has gone to the effort of applying for a job, preparing for and attending an interview, the absolute bare minimum to expect should be an email confirming the outcome. But a phone call with some feedback is better.

It says more about them as an employer.

Gripnot · 07/05/2024 10:36

I think it's appalling too, but both my DSs have experienced it recently.

I'd love to hear from interviewing managers at companies who think this is an OK way to carry on. You've asked someone to give up their time and travel to interview and you CBA to send a line saying thanks but no thanks.

So so rude and makes me think lucky escape, but it's defintiely becoming more common. I'm not really sure why they can't send an auto email for unsuccessful applications too, but realise that's the norm now. Having interviewed people, there's no excuse IMO

Gripnot · 07/05/2024 10:37

YouveGotAFastCar · 07/05/2024 10:35

YANBU to be upset, but you're going to leave yourself open to being hurt and disappointed if you expect a reply from interviews. Prepare yourself that you'll only be contacted if you're going to be offered the job. That way if you get contacted, it'll be a bonus.

People will say that there are thousands of applicants for jobs now, and replying to them all takes a long time; and that sending replies increases the number of people who will come back and ask for feedback or another chance - both of which are true, but it used to be "the done thing" that if you interviewed someone, you at least contacted them afterwards. It was part and parcel of hiring.

They're not interviewing 1000s though.

itslunicorns · 07/05/2024 10:38

Have hope!
I had my 2nd interview then didn't hear anything for 3 weeks. I chased up twice (so hard not to chase more) and it turned out the company is bringing in a new recruitment system and something had gone wrong. Anyway, they asked me for a 3rd interview and they confirmed I'd got the job a week later.
I think a lot of recruitment processes are terrible but not necessarily reflective of the company.
Good luck!

Spinet · 07/05/2024 10:39

Not getting back after interview is beyond rude isn't it, even if it is a normal procedure now. On a personal level I wouldn't do it (unless HR told me to). Written applications is just about OK. Interviews, no. Especially now many jobs think asking you for 3 or 4 interviews is acceptable - and then not even letting you know you didn't get it!

Original poster
YouknowmeIdowhatIdo · 07/05/2024 10:42

Also, not that it should make a difference, but this was for a niche senior role in a close knit sector.

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 07/05/2024 10:44

This happened to me
its absolutely rude and no excuses for it
i put time and effort into the interview, time off current role and to not even have a thanks but no thanks is rubbish
if it’s through a recruiter I’d speak to them

Gripnot · 07/05/2024 10:45

YouknowmeIdowhatIdo · 07/05/2024 10:42

Also, not that it should make a difference, but this was for a niche senior role in a close knit sector.

Surely that does indicate something's gone wrong. Maybe a decision maker is off sick or somethign? Surely..

I think I would follow that one up.

rubyslippers · 07/05/2024 10:45

YouknowmeIdowhatIdo · 07/05/2024 10:42

Also, not that it should make a difference, but this was for a niche senior role in a close knit sector.

Similar to me … it’s very frustrating isn’t it?

froggirl · 07/05/2024 10:47

YouveGotAFastCar · 07/05/2024 10:35

YANBU to be upset, but you're going to leave yourself open to being hurt and disappointed if you expect a reply from interviews. Prepare yourself that you'll only be contacted if you're going to be offered the job. That way if you get contacted, it'll be a bonus.

People will say that there are thousands of applicants for jobs now, and replying to them all takes a long time; and that sending replies increases the number of people who will come back and ask for feedback or another chance - both of which are true, but it used to be "the done thing" that if you interviewed someone, you at least contacted them afterwards. It was part and parcel of hiring.

This is not my experience.

Applications are one thing - obviously not every application is going to get a reply as there are often so many.

But I've never not had a response from an interview I attended. I think it's rude and bad etiquette on the part of the employer. If someone has made the effort to come for an interview, they deserve the courtesy of being told the outcome.

I've never once been left hanging for this long without an explanation, and I've been to a lot of interviews.

Having said that, if you haven't heard a peep in two weeks, I'd count it as a dodged bullet as they are probably not a great employer to work for anyway. It shows either a lack of organisation, lack of communication, or lack of caring. None of those are good!

frankentall · 07/05/2024 10:50

Gripnot · 07/05/2024 10:37

They're not interviewing 1000s though.

Show quote history

Exactly, and even the 1000s of applicants moan doesn't wash - we've had tech for 30+ years to send a simple thanks but no thanks email to everyone who applied.
The better orgs do this.
No doubt the shit employers are the same ones complaining about the poor quality of applicants and applications.

frankentall · 07/05/2024 10:52

Spinet · 07/05/2024 10:39

Not getting back after interview is beyond rude isn't it, even if it is a normal procedure now. On a personal level I wouldn't do it (unless HR told me to). Written applications is just about OK. Interviews, no. Especially now many jobs think asking you for 3 or 4 interviews is acceptable - and then not even letting you know you didn't get it!

Why is it OK for written applications?

Arlanymor · 07/05/2024 10:54

YANBU at all, it’s basic courtesy. We interviewed eight people for a role a couple of weeks back on a Tuesday and Thursday. Made our decision overnight on the Thursday and I called all of them with the result before lunchtime on Friday. I didn’t want it hanging over them over the weekend and also there was a lot of positive feedback to share despite the outcomes for the people who were not successful. It’s just what you do isn’t it?

I am really sorry because you’ve invested your time (and hopes) in this, but as others have said, if it’s any indicator of who they are as an employer then maybe it’s for the best, even though it probably doesn’t feel that way now.

Onwards and upwards, hopefully the right thing for you is just around the corner. Good luck!

GasPanic · 07/05/2024 10:55

Well if it is through a recruiter talk to them.

On my first industrial job the guy rang me back and told me I hadn't got the job because he thought I wouldn't want to work for them. I gave him a ten minute lecture on how I actually did or else I wouldn't have bothered turning up to interview in the first place !

I got the job.

NonPlayerCharacter · 07/05/2024 11:05

Chase it. You have nothing to lose, there's a chance you'll get unexpectedly welcome news and if it is a no, at least they'll be made to do the right thing and tell you. It's not as though it's the first application stage where they have hundreds of CVs to sift through.

Echobelly · 07/05/2024 11:12

I'm job hunting now and it is quite frustrating; I've even had a final stage interview that never got back to me and a few 1st stages that didn't either.

Spinet · 07/05/2024 11:17

frankentall · 07/05/2024 10:52

Why is it OK for written applications?

Show quote history

Well, it's not. But the 1000s of applications argument does wash with written applications. Not with interviews though.

EdnaAlGaib · 07/05/2024 11:22

I had the same recently, in an internal job interview. Now looking to leave my job as I’m so insulted.

Original poster
YouknowmeIdowhatIdo · 08/05/2024 12:10

@EdnaAlGaib thats awful!

I did chase the recruiter and they said they hadn’t yet received the response.

finding the whole job search a bit soul destroying. Rejection does knock your confidence but I know I need to be a bit thicker skinned!

OP posts:
dutysuite · 08/05/2024 12:13

It’s incredibly rude. My husband has done several rounds of interviews which have included a brief and presentation and then it’s gone radio silent. It’s obvious that most of the time these interviews are just used as a way for a company to get free consultancy.

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