Searching for a job is one of the most stressful events all have the pleasure in experiencing. If only there was a way to make the memory even more traumatic—oh wait, there is…
In a time of extreme career competition, it has become obvious employers don’t always play nice. As a matter of fact, according to “WEDDLE’s” Research, many employers are downright rude.
In summary, the result of the survey question “What is the single worst thing that has happened to you in a job search?” is as follows:
1. 45% – they submitted a resume and heard nothing back from the employer
2. 24% – they received no information or feedback from the employer once they entered its recruiting process
3. 19% – they had no serious negative experiences
4. 07% – the hiring manager or recruiter who interviewed them was poorly prepared
5. 05% – the hiring manager, recruiter, or an employee was rude or hostile to them during the process
Being a career coach and former college instructor, I held active (and oftentimes overly vocal) discussions regarding what to expect and what not to expect preceding and following resume submissions. Most students (and professionals can raise their hands as will) had no idea of proper protocol on the potential employer’s side. The most common expectation from individuals when seeking employment was “I submit my resume and will get a call within a few days to let me know I am scheduled for an interview or not scheduled for an interview.”
Reality check: most employers don’t bother letting the candidate know they don’t match what they are looking for at this time.
What messages are employers sending by saying nothing at all?  Is it professionally acceptable to ignore potential candidates in the hopes they simply will go away?  No doubt we’ve all experienced the not so friendly side of this situation. Heck, it’s not uncommon for me to receive complaints on a daily basis. Look at the percentages again, to me the most concerning figure is the 19% (those who had no serious negative experience). Am I to believe four out of five DO engage in a serious negative experience? If so, has it always been this way?
Now it’s time to ask ourselves, are candidates prepared to react professionally to the bad behavior they are about to encounter (or have encountered repeatedly)?  In the tone of this article, I would love to hear your approach and story related to potential employers and the encounter experienced. Or, throw in a comment, remember saying nothing at all is considered rude in some circles.
Danny Huffman, MA,CEIP, CPRW, CPCC, author, educator, and co-owner of Career Services International/Education Career Services. He may be reached at [email protected] or visit his Career Blog at www.educationcs.wordpress.com.
