How do you prefer to be rejected or declined after multiple interview stages?

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turtleattacks

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#315108 14-Jun-2024 09:32

When applying for a specific role, and you've already sunk in many hours in phone screening with HR, multiple sessions in person and Teams interview stages, personality tests and mental preparation.

How do you prefer to be rejected or declined ?
Phone call by the recruiter.
Personal email by the recruiter.
Automated rejection email/non-personalised email from the HR/Career website after three weeks.

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Senecio

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#3248709 14-Jun-2024 09:51

If I made it that far, the least I would expect is a personal phone call. Had I been rejected earlier then I would expect to only receive an email. Personal or automated email wouldn’t bother me as long as I haven’t invested that much time and energy into the process.

alasta

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#3248717 14-Jun-2024 10:40

Senecio:

If I made it that far, the least I would expect is a personal phone call. Had I been rejected earlier then I would expect to only receive an email. Personal or automated email wouldn’t bother me as long as I haven’t invested that much time and energy into the process.

I agree with this.

If you've got that far through the process then they clearly like you, and a phone call gives you the opportunity for you to tell them that you're happy for them to keep your CV on file and would love to hear from them if another suitable position comes up in the future.

turtleattacks

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#3248725 14-Jun-2024 10:59

Senecio:

If I made it that far, the least I would expect is a personal phone call. Had I been rejected earlier then I would expect to only receive an email. Personal or automated email wouldn’t bother me as long as I haven’t invested that much time and energy into the process.

Pretty much what I just went through:

Initial application form
An hour phone call with HR
2x 1-hour Teams interviews
Personality/Psychometrics test
Mental and knowledge preparation about the role and tech stack.

Got ghosted for 3 weeks then an automated, impersonalised email saying "Unfortunately, at this time your application has been unsuccessful." with a bunch of 'helpful' links about the job application process.

Thought the least I should get is an email from the HR person that I've been working with.

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3248726 14-Jun-2024 11:08

turtleattacks:

When applying for a specific role, and you've already sunk in many hours in phone screening with HR, multiple sessions in person and Teams interview stages, personality tests and mental preparation.

How do you prefer to be rejected or declined ?
Phone call by the recruiter.
Personal email by the recruiter.
Automated rejection email/non-personalised email from the HR/Career website after three weeks.

I prefer e-mail in general, but after multiple rounds of interviews etc., I would expect a phone call.

Given the average recruiter doesn't even bother sending a generic rejection e-mail, even after spending time preparing a cover letter for every application, I'd count myself lucky to receive any sort of notification.

evnafets

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#3248733 14-Jun-2024 11:37

turtleattacks:

Pretty much what I just went through: (SNIP)

Got ghosted for 3 weeks then an automated, impersonalised email saying "Unfortunately, at this time your application has been unsuccessful." with a bunch of 'helpful' links about the job application process.

Thought the least I should get is an email from the HR person that I've been working with.

Yeah, I would feel hard done by as well after jumping through all of those hoops.

I take it this was a direct application? Not going through a recruitment agent?

The HR rep is probably snowed under, and they don't need to retain a good relationship with you (unlike a half decent recruitment agent)

Were the links 'helpful' at all? or just generic bullshit?

My unsolicited tips for you

Set clear expectation at the end of an interview for the "what's next in the process?", "how long will it take?" and "when should I expect your answer?"
Follow up with the HR person anyway, and see if you can get some personal feedback as to how you might be more successful next time. Even a 5 minute phone call.

turtleattacks

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#3248734 14-Jun-2024 11:48

evnafets:

Were the links 'helpful' at all? or just generic bullshit?

It was direct, not via recruiter.

Just very generic bs:

Preparing a job application – CVs and Interviews
Working at XXXXXXX- Benefits, Perks & Culture!
LinkedIn Page – stay up to date on what’s happening at XXXXXXX!
Sign up for Job Alerts and stay updated!
Relocating to NZ!

The recruiter is probably snowed under. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Just a rubbish end to the process.

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invisibleman18

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#3248873 14-Jun-2024 14:41

After getting to that stage, a phone call perhaps with some feedback would be appreciated but wouldn't expect to get it. More than once I've followed up after not hearing anything for weeks and been told "oh didn't somebody email/call you last week?" If they don't want you they don't care, although sometimes they probably hold off rejecting until the preferred one signs just in case. As a general rule, if they want you they'll be quick to call you so probably safe to assume it's a no if you haven't heard within a few days. For a couple of jobs I've had the call the next day and one even while I was in the car driving home from the interview. But as mentioned, others I've had to chase up for the answer.

Scott3

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#3248979 14-Jun-2024 15:18

These days I would settle for being informed of the decision, Regardless of the means.

Last time i was involved in recruiting I phoned every unsuccessful candidate which had an in person interview. But I can see why people want to skip out on this. It's not a very fun task.

Those who we made a negative decision at the CV or phone call stage got an email.

turtleattacks

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#3248981 14-Jun-2024 15:25

if they want you they'll be quick to call you so probably safe to assume it's a no if you haven't heard within a few days.

Pretty much, the recruiter was so quick in calling me initially after the phone screens, initial interviews.

So after the few weeks of ghosting, it was a bit obvious.

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gzt

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#3249131 14-Jun-2024 18:57

invisibleman18: although sometimes they probably hold off rejecting until the preferred one signs just in case.

The recruiter sometimes has really no idea which way the hirer will jump. In a scenario where an offer is made to a preferred candidate, the candidate may keep them waiting and then decline, then employer then could select another candidate from the list, and so on...

Goosey

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#3249132 14-Jun-2024 19:00

turtleattacks:

if they want you they'll be quick to call you so probably safe to assume it's a no if you haven't heard within a few days.

Pretty much, the recruiter was so quick in calling me initially after the phone screens, initial interviews.

So after the few weeks of ghosting, it was a bit obvious.

that’s unfortunate…especially after all that time invested. You would have legit been sucking the company coolade like they do…

says a lot of about that particular company. If the HR team can balls up a relationship like that…

what’s the rest of the company doing?