I recently got a great e-mail from a bright, talented, well-qualified job seeker who shared some of his oh-so-honest thoughts and feelings based on four long months of looking for a job. And let me tell you…he’s NOT a happy camper. He’s had it beyond up-to-here with employers, interviewers and the entire hiring / job interview process!
He feels frustrated, angry and fed up with the way he sees job candidates – including himself – being treated during the hiring process by employers or employer representatives. And I know he’s not the only one out there feeling this anger!
Why are job seekers so angry at interviewers & interviews?
I have a feeling each and every one of you has at least one answer to that question – and no doubt the list of answers would go on and on page after page after page! It’s unbelievably hard to have almost no control over something so critically important to our lives – something that can affect our entire future – as well as such basic stuff as paying rent and eating.
Matthew, the reader who wrote me, has been lucky since he’s actually getting interviews. (I think category one for our Anger List would have to be all the folks who never even get in the door to show how talented they are!) But Matthew does get interviews – and it’s not that he screws up or blows his interviews…instead, it’s the interviewers who are driving him nuts.
Here to start off our Anger List are some of his “I wish they would just listen to me and change their wicked ways” points for employers (with a bit of editing from me). I think you’ll get a kick out of his sense of humor and perspective – but remember, when he wrote this…well…grrrrr!
1. Our Time is Just as Valuable as Yours
“I finally landed a decent interview with a state employer who seemed eager to interview me. I arrived at the site 10 minutes early, and was ushered back into the “waiting room” to be left in peace to compose myself. I had a lot of composure time. Forty five minutes, to be exact.
I waited. And waited. Employers: don’t think that sending a harried staff member into what I now was calling the “Holding Pen” to note that “we need X here to interview you, and she is dealing with a crisis right now” is good enough. At least offer me a damn cup of coffee! Or better yet, use this as an opportunity to show me an interesting facet of the work. I don’t mind. If crisis intervention is part of the job, seeing some action along those lines would be more stimulating than figuring out how much of the peeling paint in the “Holding Pen” I would have to eat before I keeled over from lead poisoning and got some attention.
LESSON: We show up on time ready to roll. Is it too much to ask that you do the same?”
2. Please Don’t Bait and Switch
“Despite my urge to eat paint chips and claw out the eyes of the next person who approached me with any words other than “We’re ready now”, I made it through the interview. Two very similar jobs were posted, one with a lower salary that did not require a Master’s degree (which I have), and one which did. The job description I was handed was for the Master’s level position. I reiterated this during the interview, and yes, I was told I was interviewing for the latter position. We all smiled and went our separate ways.
Two days later I was offered a job – at the bottom of the pay scale for the non-Master’s position. I questioned the HR person, and she insisted that there was just ONE position, and the salary ranged over a $14,000 span. Hey nice lady…I have both job postings in front of me! $8,000.00 less than my last position, for doing much the same duties, and relocating 700 miles. FYI: I attempted to negotiate, but the offer was firm, and I ended up declining the offer.
LESSON: Employers, please don’t assume that potential workers will “take anything” to be employed. We can read, and know full well when you are going beyond “thrifty” and “reasonable”, and are marching stubbornly into “cheap” and “insulting”. STICK TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND ADVERTISED SALARY RANGE. AND PLEASE DON’T TRY TO BAIT AND SWITCH.
BONUS LESSON: I drove three hours to give a drug urine sample. If I have to pee in a cup for you, then I’d like to have a bit more respect and honesty.”
3. Do Keep a Scheduled Promise to Call
“We job seekers get very, VERY excited when we hear from you. But that excitement can quickly go sour if there is any unexplained broken “promise”. For example…
I scored a phone interview, and boy, was I excited. I was by the phone, ready to knock ‘em dead long distance. Cue crickets, chirping loudly in the silence that was not broken by the phone ringing. I waited two hours past the appointed time, and even sent a tactful email inquiring if I had “misunderstood” the date or time. (Hell no, I had it burned into my brain). No reply.
The next morning there was an email from the potential employer apologizing and wanting another interview that day. I promptly replied, thanked her, and gave her a four hour window of time when I was available during the day. Again, no reply…but I waited by the phone for, well… five hours. Another round of emails, and this time she was not so nice: “I will be out of the office for three days, and will contact you next week.” I ended the torture via e-mail by declining to be interviewed by them after all. If this is how they handle their business, then it’s not the place for me.
LESSON: Schedules were created for a reason, and the employer made the appointment. As job seekers, we know you HR folk are busy people. But here’s the scoop: SO ARE WE. You would be pissed as hell if you had arranged your day around a vital phone call that never came. Please show us you respect us as you expect us to respect you.”
4. Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry
“A certain well known human services agency was fairly persistent in wanting me to interview with them. I was called by one person, and told to call another person to set up an interview. I did so, and immediately was asked why I was calling her. I explained why, and gave the name of the referrer.
Well, I don’t care if you got yourselves a little feud going on, but don’t drag me into it, sister girl. She was fairly indignant that this other person had handled this the way he had, as she did not seem to know that she was the ultimate contact person for job seekers. Did I need to hear all this?
LESSON: The title of this section says it all.”
5. Have Some Idea of Who We Are and What We Applied For!
“Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more demeaning or frustrating than speaking with a representative of your organization who has no idea who we are. You contacted ME!! I fully expect that it might take a minute, but for god sakes, DON’T LET ON YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO WE ARE OR ANYTHING ABOUT OUR QUALIFICATIONS.
Upon returning a call from a potential employer, it was obvious she had no clue as to who I was. She said my name “sounded familiar”- oh…there I was…in her “pile”. (Thanks but no thanks.) She then proceeded to do an impromptu interview over the phone. OK. I started getting excited. We were back in my comfort zone, so I fired off bright answers to her questions. The questions began to stray from the job description I had and then asked for my “RN license number”.
Excuse me? I told her that might be a bit difficult, since I’m not a registered nurse; I’m a social worker. Her response? “Social worker? Oh, I didn’t know we were hiring for those. We may have a few positions, oh no, they’re filled. I guess we have nothing for you at the moment?”
Lady, you answered your own question. I applied for the SOCIAL WORK JOB YOUR COMPANY ADVERTISED. If you are only hiring RNs right now, I’ll just go spend another four-to-six years and get THAT degree.
LESSON: It’s OK to ask our names, and what position we applied for. It’s even better if you take a moment, put us on hold, and find us in your “pile”. Just scan the resume and job application if you need a refresher. But DON’T TRY AND STUMBLE YOUR WAY THROUGH. It only makes you and your organization look bad.”
I hadn’t intended to publish this much of Matthew’s e-mail, but it’s just so good. I think his words are something every employer should read. And I know it’s something a lot of you can relate to!
FINAL NOTE: On the other hand, it’s a buyer’s market and basically a job seeker has to brace himself or herself for unexpected emergencies – or even sheer incompetence – on the employer end. I’ve been on the other side as a phone screener, resume screener and interviewer, and although I really did try my best to consider the candidate’s needs, I’m sure there were times when candidates were not feeling the love.
I know the system is imperfect, but when I’m on the job seeker side, my attitude is I’m here for me and I’m not going to let their stuff keep me from getting what I need and want.
Then again, if it’s Bozo City over there, forewarned is forearmed! 
What are your thoughts? Do you have any job interview stories to add to the list? We’d love to hear them!
Some Work Coach Cafe interview posts:
Dealing with Interview Stress
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
What the Heck Goes On Behind the Scenes After a Job Interview?
Ideas for Handling Job Interview Questions and Answers
What’s Your Greatest Strength?
What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now?
Handling Some Tough Interview Questions
Explaining Why You Left the Last Job So Soon
How Do I Interview After Being Fired?
How Do I Explain Dropping Out of Law School?
Job Interview Tips
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace That Job Interview
The Single Most Important Thing in Any Job Interview
Please Help Me Ace My Phone Interview!
Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
Love what you do, Ronnie Ann. I share so much of it with my students. That was why I was why I was particularly chagrinned to see all the periods and commas on the wrong side of the quotation marks in Matthew’s e-mail. The rule in the U.S. of A., no matter what Style guide you use: Periods and commas always go inside closing quotation marks.
Please help set the right example and edit the posts. Thanks, Terri
Oops! Phone rang in the middle and why I was why I was got carried away. I know proofing is hard. Gee, even I can’t do it!
Ah! Thanks Terri for your kind words. Now I am chagrinned because I know the rule very well and actually considered “fixing” it. But quite honestly I often choose to not strictly follow the US rule since…well… I’m just not crazy about it. I think logic sometimes suggests a blatant disregard for the rule.
Here’s an interesting post on that point:
Quotation Marks: Where Do the Commas and Periods Go–and Why?
Especially love the end note: “…it seems to be the result of historical accident. When type was handset, a period or comma outside of quotation marks at the end of a sentence tended to get knocked out of position, so the printers tucked the little devils inside the quotation marks to keep them safe and out of trouble. But apparently only American printers were more attached to convenience than logic, since British printers continued to risk the misalignment of their periods and commas.”
And yet we still follow the rule.
A similar reason I’m told by insiders as to why the New York Times uses “PC’s” instead of “PCs” – the latter being my preference because the apostrophe isn’t needed.
But I’m glad you’re explaining to your students that standard U.S. grammatical rules do indeed require that “Periods and commas always go inside closing quotation marks.” See…in that case I agree. It’s important for them to at least know the rule.
But mavericks like me like to break rules sometimes.
Please forgive me and say hello to your students for me!
~ Ronnie Ann
I’m very jaded about this process as well. I’d like to add to Matthew’s post:
READ THE RESUME OF THE PERSON YOU’RE INTERVIEWING BEFORE WALKING IN THE ROOM.
I’ve often sat in the “holding pen” waiting to be interviewed only to have the interviewer show up to tell me he/she hasn’t had “a chance to read my resume, so why don’t [you] begin first.” If you’re going to keep me waiting anyway, please take an extra 30-60 seconds to scan my resume before you speak with me. It will certainly makes things a lot better for both of us.
MOST HR PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACTUAL JOB.
Usually, when I have questions to ask about the job at the interview, the HR person tells me that they really don’t know and I should save those questions for my meeting with someone higher up. PLEASE give the HR person some details, other than a generic job description, about what I’ll be doing in the job. Otherwise, it makes me feel stupid (and ultimately, the HR person feels stupid) that I feel the need to ask questions to prove I have questions to ask, instead of saying “I’ll ask my questions of someone higher up (who actually knows more than you).”
SAYING “THANKS, BUT NO THANKS” A LITTLE TOO LATE.
Over the years, I’ve interviewed with at least 100 companies. And, believe it or not, many of them are kind enough to send a “thanks, but no thanks” note within a month of the interview. But several of them have sent me notes 6-12 months later. REALLY? Did you think I was waiting around for you to tell me that you filled the position or it’s on hold due to budget constraints? After 1-2 months, please, don’t bother to tell me you’ve thought of me again, even if it’s not to hire me. Chances are, I haven’t thought about you after 1-2 months. At that point, your “sincerity” feels fake. And I also know that should the position become available when budgets do open up in six months, you’re not going to call me anyway, as too much time has passed, you’ve forgotten my name, and you’ve received hundreds of other resumes by then. I also know that you don’t want me harassing you by phone, email, Facebook – whatever, to find out if the position has re-opened.
“WE’RE JUST BEGINNING THE HIRING PROCESS.”
Okay, we’ve all heard this kiss-off one too many times. Don’t even bother saying it. It’s insulting. I’d rather have you be honest with me, tell me that I’m not a right fit for your company and give me a reason WHY, so I can do better for the next interview. Feedback is always appreciated.
I’m sure there are other things I can’t think of right now, but I hope I’ve offered some insight as well.
Thanks.
Hah! These are great Jocelyn. Thank you so much for adding this to our list. As for companies who wait 6 months or more to send a “no thank you” note – to quote a person I respect and admire – SHEESH!
Just want to explain one thing. As someone who occasionally has helped with the employer-side of the process, I’ve actually said “We’re just beginning the hiring process” to people I was very impressed by trying to help them understand why it might take a while. I never imagined they might think I was kissing them off!
Good to learn how my mean-to-comfort words might actually come off. Also good to note there is often absolutely no way to know what the heck anything means.
Best of luck, Jocelyn! Please feel free to share your…uh…process improvement suggestions as well as triumphs any time!
~ Ronnie Ann
I have a story that I am currently dealing with, I had a phone interview with a company on the west coast and I live in the Midwest. The phone interview went great and instead of another phone interview they asked if they could fly me out for an interview.
The HR person made all the arrangements and sent them to me. The next week I flew out and the flight arrangements were great. I flew 1st class on the way out, got my upgraded car with no problem and drove to the hotel.
I went to check in and they asked for my credit card. I told them that the company was paying and it should remain on their credit card. Well they could not do that, so I put it on my card, $200.
Got up in the morning and drove to the location, 10 minutes early. 30 minutes later the hiring manager came out and apologized. We went to his office and he said he was busy and gave me drawings to look at and said he would be back in 1/2 hour. Well he came back and asked me what I found. So I told him. I then went and met the next person, no problem, the 3rd person was another 30 minute delay, but the interview went well. The last person I interviewed with also went well, but now it is 1:00 and I was scheduled to be done at noon. The hiring manager then wanted me to meet with some of the individuals I would be working with. I had told him that I had a 3:30 flight. He said I would have plenty of time.
I bet you can guess what happened next. I missed my flight by 10 minutes; it was the last flight to my city. I had to pay $50 and take the red eye. I spent 9 hours and 2 meals at the airport.
Finally got home sent my email thanks, since they were going to meet on the position the next day. I waited and waited a few phone calls and emails. Finally 3 days latter I got a message that they were going with a different candidate I have a story that I am currently dealing with, I had a phone interview with a company on the west coast and I live in the Midwest. The phone interview went great and instead of another phone interview they asked if they could fly me out for an interview.
The HR person made all the arrangements and sent them to me. The next week I flew out and the flight arrangements were great. I flew 1st class on the way out, got my upgraded car with no problem and drove to the hotel.
I went to check in and they asked for my credit card. I told them that the company was paying and it should remain on their credit card. Well they could not do that, so I put it on my card, $200.
Got up in the morning and drove to the location, 10 minutes early. 30 minutes later the hiring manager came out and apologized. We went to his office and he said he was busy and gave me drawings to look at and said he would be back in 1/2 hour. Well he came back and asked me what I found. So I told him. I then went and met the next person, no problem, the 3rd person was another 30 minute delay, but the interview went well. The last person I interviewed with also went well, but now it is 1:oo and I was scheduled to be done at noon. The hiring manager then wanted me to meet with some of the individuals I would be working with. I had told him that I had a 3:30 flight. He said I would have plenty of time.
I bet you can guess what happened next. I missed my flight by 10 minutes; it was the last flight to my city. I had to pay $50 and take the red eye. I spent 9 hours and 2 meals at the airport.
Finally got home sent my email thanks, since they were going to meet on the position the next day. I waited and waited and after a few phone calls and emails I got a message that they were going with a different candidate. With the explanation (sure wish companies would tell you so if there are changes I need to make I can)
Well 4 weeks later I am still trying to get reimbursed for the trip $400 and no one will reply to my phone calls or emails. When you have been unemployed for 6 months and it is xmas time $400 is a lot of money! Sure glad I did not get the job now that I know how they handle people. Not a place I want to be associated with. This is no small company, they are well known.
Hey Dave and Jocelyn-
Thanks for bringing up some more good points related to the piece I sent Ronnie Ann. Jocelyn, I too have gotten those “rejection slips” long after the fact of the interview, and I just laugh. Like you, I had forgotten all about the interview and the company. However, trying to make up for a lack of a sense of urgency in this way IS idiotic. It’s almost as if a computer was fed some names and dates, and just spit out a bunch of letters. Sometimes late is not “better than never.”
Dave- based on what you wrote, the hiring manager SHOULD have been busy- with YOU. If a candidate is clear that a delay is really going to mess up a major travel timetable, that should be respected, or they should have made alternative arrangements, and maybe paid for you to stay another day (on their dime, of course). And there is nothing worse (at least for me) to hear when I arrive all bright and shiny at an interview than “Boy, are we busy today!” I just know that is going to mean interviews (and not just mine) are going to be given a lesser priority. Now, I can sort of understand if the people doing the interviewing are front line staff, and actually working other jobs at the same time. But, a hiring manager? Come on… this IS his job.
A few good things coming out of reading your posts: 1.) I realize I am not a lone, very cranky job seeker who has bad luck with his particular interviews. At least mine did not cost me extra money! 2.) In a very satisfying way, these experiences allow you to realize that it is the job seekers responsibility to PAY ATTENTION to the process, and not be totally focused on just the end product (getting the job). Jocelyn- if that company who sent the late “no thanks” letter called you today and asked you to come in for another interview, would you? Maybe so, but now you would have some healthy skepticism. Note that being a healthy skeptic is not the same as being “bitter”. 3.) I am finding that the more I interview, the more I am noticing when places GET IT RIGHT- whether or not I get the job. And for those places, I am most thankful.
The best places I have worked have been those who handled the interview and hiring process like this: 1.) Started interview on time, and gave it their full attention. 2.) Gave some kind of reasonable time frame for a decision, and managed to stick to it. 3.) Knew who I was when I arrived, and came into the interview able to begin a conversation about my qualifications and background, and 4.) Rescheduled if they realized that some unusual event would detract from the process.
Just my two cents, not adjusted for inflation.
Matthew
Has this happened to anyone else?
I applied for a director-level position at a not-for-profit organization. Participated in a phone interview with the recruiter/consultant who stated he was very impressed with my credentials, experience and awards, and in a couple of weeks, he would provide me with an update (status). He never responded to my follow-up email or call. Months later, I received a press release, via email, from the recruiter’s company announcing the appointment of another person for the director position.
I replied, “I applied for this position. Why did I receive the release announcing X’s appointment? Additionally, why didn’t you respond to my follow-up email and call regarding the status of the position?”
Recruiter responded, “oh, you weren’t suppose to receive that release. I’ve been so busy interviewing candidates for the position; but, I meant to contact you. Sorry.”
I replied, “I understand. I congratulate you and the company on selected a highly talented, well-respected candidate. I’m positive she will do an excellent job.”
His response, “Thanks. Good luck in your job search.”
Of course I laughed, and forwarded his email to my list of email connections/contacts.
Ah, the joys of email. It has become so common and well used that we take it for granted. Someone (recruiter) forgot to check his contacts before hitting “Reply All!”
I am sorry to hear that you had to find this out in this manner, but I am guessing you had already figured this job was not in the cards.
Ironically, at least you heard SOMETHING.
Grrr… at least you had the class to be cordial on the phone with him. He was probably mightily embarrassed- with good reason.
Another “Top Reason” why the frustration level can run so high, and one I would have never guessed in a million years.
Best,
Matthew
The recruiter was embarrassed. He blamed his secretary for sending the press release to me. Seems like he would’ve acknowledged the mistake, own up to the error, and offered to work with me. Of course, I would’ve turned down his offer.
Big rich post Ronnie! Let’s add the word feelings to the conversation. Our emotions fuel our motivation (what we do, how we prepare) for the interviewing process and how we “perform” once we get there. So essentially it’s an emotionally loaded situation from beginning to end. Experienced interviewers should understand this human dynamic and factor it into the process. Unfortunately, too many of them do not. In fact, many of them (I think mostly through their lack of awareness) do and say things that actually “trigger” job seekers – sending many of them into the hard-wired fight or flight response. The goal should be to create the conditions (and here I am referring to the emotional climate) to bring out the BEST in people – not spike their understandable anxieties.
Good point, Louise.
One recent interview included the interviewers saying: “We want you to be relaxed, and feel comfortable.” This made a lot of difference to me.
I suspect that some employers MIGHT ratchet up the anxiety level to where it usually is for the position they seek to fill- as a gauge of how well the applicant “fits in.” Personally, I don’t think this is a good way to go about the process, but they might use it as a “behavioral” marker to weed folks out.
Best,
Matthew
Hi Matthew, I think you are right about uninformed interveiwers who rachet up the heat to “test” prospective employees. Unfortunately it reflects a complete lack of knowledge of recent neuroscience which clearly shows that these emotion states place us in a kind of mindlock. Not to mention the overall physiological stress. Unless they are interviewing for battlefield readiness (and even that is being questioned by scientists these days) no human performs optimally under these circumstances!
These 5 “mis-steps” are errors that organizations and companies can easily make that creates one main result: the perception that the hiring employer is not exceptional. Implementing the “opposite” of these errors are basic strategies that can be consistently implemented during the new hire/on-boarding phase that can reinforce to potential employees and job-seekers that this employer is indeed an employer of choice, a preferred employer — an exceptional employer. Everybody wins. More successful employee-employer matches are made. Employees stay employed. Businesses stay in business. Prolonged. Productive. Profitable.
So true. I interviewed for a place (in NY, when I was living in DC) that made me pay to come down and see them in person twice, took up two full workdays with interviews, then couldn’t be bothered to let me know when they chose the other candidate.
Meanwhile, my husband-elect just went on an interview where they had him sit waiting for the person he needed to meet for two hours, then finally decided the guy was too busy to see him and sent him home.
I recently interviewed for a senior level position, meeting first with the CEO (the position reported to this person. A second interview included a variety of other staff and a second conversation with the CEO. The CEO told me I’d be coming back as a finalist before the end of the interview, and even asked me when I was available to come back the next week. “We’ll be in touch.”
The middle of that next week, I contacted the HR person who had set up my first interviews and was told that this second round of interviews was taking a little longer to complete but they’d contact me the next day.
Three days later I checked in by email and was told they were just wrapping up and would be done by Monday (this was on a Thursday.)
During all of this time, I was researching like mad to prep for the final round. I’d been told that it would include some kind of presentation and the CEO had actually pointed out some specific things that I would want to address. The final presentation info was supposed to come with the call to set up the final interview.
Several days later I finally received a call from one of the other senior staff involved in the interviews to tell me they had selected two finalists but I wasn’t one of them. I was so stunned I was actually speechless for a long moment of silence. I then explained that I was rather taken aback since I’d been told I was a finalist already. This person was clearly embarrassed.
I have done a lot of hiring myself and I believe if I’ve talked with a candidate in person, s/he deserves to hear from me, personally.
I’m filing this under the “this isn’t someone I’d want to work with” category. And I’ve been pretty honest with many colleagues who knew I was deep in this interview process, so the company has lost some credibility.
Finally, I just remembered that they still have my portfolio, which I now need to retrieve.
I guess misery at least likes company, since hearing other horror stories shows my experience is not unique…
Wow. I’ve really been enjoying the discussion. Almost afraid to break in because it’s doing great without me!
Dave…since this is no mom & pop shop, they should reimburse you for all your expenses, even those you incurred because of their scheduling. Keep bugging them and don’t be afraid to revert to shame.
Good luck finding the right job for you.
TEB…great to hear from you. Wish your husband-elect much luck. Please send me a note sometime. Would love to catch up. For TEB’s success story:
How a New Resume Got Her the Job Interview!
Donna and Louise…right on! Thank you so much for your comments. You’re so right about perception, Donna. And Louise, thanks for sharing some of your cool understanding of emotional intelligence.
KB and D…I can only wish you good interviews ahead and great jobs. Goes for all of you.
And if you noticed I left Matthew out…I expect he’ll be telling us some special news pretty soon. I’ll leave it for him to announce. (Is that too much of a hint?)
Thanks again everyone. Keep it coming. If it can help even one other fellow job seeker, it’s worth sharing.
~ Ronnie Ann
By the way…when I see some of these comments, I can’t help wondering if interviewers have gotten ruder. Or was it always this way?
Is part of the story our jam-packed, high-productivity, multi-tasking mentality now? And have employers more and more forgotten what it means to be human-centered?
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Everyone:
Boy, the more I read here, the more I want employers to read this blog more (and not just for this thread).
It really is a vital point that our first impressions may be lasting ones.
Ronnie Ann brings up an interesting point. I don’t know if things have sped up so fast today that some basic courtesies are getting lost. It is a lot easier to weed out and do a sort of “production line” hiring process when you don’t often need to even hear a persons voice, much less see them in person. Takes the “personal” out of it, and may make it easier to cut corners on the manners. But a fair chunk of what I have seen here IS in-person interactions which are off the chart rude. I cannot imagine waiting for an interview for two hours, and then being dismissed. Or not getting refunded for travel changes that the company incurred… and so on.
I really got steamed with KB’s post- another example of “the right not knowing what the left is doing.”
However, maybe we can count ourselves as lucky in a way. While these are terrible situations to go through, by having them happen BEFORE we sign on, we might be saving ourselves a lot of grief. Just think of the poor people who DID get hired- they are now saddled with representing a company which has a questionable reputation. Maybe they don’t care, or don’t know. But stuff like this comes back around to bite all employees in the *** sooner or later, as it is indicative of an ongoing mindset.
And yes, I did get some very good news yesterday: I finally got a job! And it is beyond any expectations I ever had in terms of working environment, salary, and security. And this was one employer who did not “drop the ball” at any point in terms of the process (which has taken three months almost from first contact to offer). So some places DO get it right. This place put all the others to shame.
Hint: if you are ever in the enviable position of having two interested employers vying for your services, drop a polite and well placed call or email to the one you prefer and let them gently know of a possible “competitor”. I did this just yesterday, and had an offer from my first choice by COB.
Best,
Matthew
Congrats, Matthew!!!!!!! Now, that you are employed, I hope you don’t forget about US. LOL