Is it standard not to let an applicant know?

[Pinetreecone]

After an interview should an applicant expect the employer to let them know the outcome or is it standard to assume hearing nothing means you were unsuccessful?

Yes I would expect a call or an email, but many people don't bother these days, just as many people don't turn up for interviews they have agreed to attend.

I’d always contact at least with an email if I’ve interviewed. I sometimes hold off if I think the person is appointable but not the first choice. I’ll offer to first choice, but not reject the other appointable candidates until I have a firm acceptance.

Yes it's basic human decency

After an interview yes

After interview (or other longer-form application - if there were hours of tests/technical challenges etc) I think it's standard to get an email.

Only time I could think it was an exception was if it was a more casual drop-in type interview day where there were tons of candidates in and out, and then I'd maybe assume it was a "We'll call you" type situation.

I know from my dc applying for minimum wage type jobs that it was rare to get anything after an interview, not even a quick one line email. In graduate jobs that has also happened to them - not one word of feedback, left to wait and wait, even when they've been told they will hear 'within the week' or similar. I think it's terrible as it's so easy to send a quick standard email to put someone out of their misery.

Thanks for your replies.

I think there’s a chance I am the second choice so perhaps it’s as @SmallestInTheClass says and they’re waiting to see.

It’s been weeks and it’s very unsettling not to get a response.

Can you not call yourself? Following up was standard when I applied to jobs - an email saying you enjoyed meeting them and if they needed any more information, then if time passed another if you hadn't heard (though generally as I followed up they did let me know).
I also think firms should acknowledge an application, even if they decide not to take it further, but I think the majority don't.

Thanks @onedayoranother. I’ve followed up with two emails (4 weeks between each) and no reply to either. I know Christmas and covid have probably slowed the process, but I would hope there would be an acknowledgment.

Yes, I think it might be.

I know when I was looking back in November, I got caught a couple of times by Employers just being able to simply, mark you red - 'not selected' on Indeed even after an interview, it probably is ideal - they don't even have to make further contact. They do not even need to contact you with using that. That time I spent an hour in an Employer's company at first interview with it looking rather positive to then a day later get this mark on Indeed - gutted I emailed to ask for feedback as it really spooked me at first, my reply about querying Indeed actually did get a reply about then being unsuccessful. (Like someone said to me around that time do try for feedback)

Then I had an interview at a Courier depot for customer service (which I have very much past experience in) again good interview, right vibe albeit probably a late application and it was probably the only time I wished a company would use the Indeed method as they left what sounded like a teary phone message Christmas week simply saying no thanks - and no understanding/reason why. In the end I could really only put it down to someone more fitting in/right personality with the team like they said during interview or did they see me with a candidate already lined up.

Unfortunately, it's not unusual for organisations to just not contact people that they've interviewed.

I think it's even more common now that many interviews are conducted online and candidates seem less real.

It's horrible for interviewees, but you can't do any more than you have done. I do think it's polite for organisations to at let people know that they're a second choice and they're waiting for confirmation from the first choice - anything is better than being ghosted imvhe.