A failure to communicate: Recruiters and job seekers?

Hallie Goertz

Hallie Goertz: I have now been unemployed for two months. Happy New Year, right?

Well, severely under-employed is probably a more accurate description, as I did pick up a small consulting project in late December.

And though I was very thankful for this work and the check that came with it, I figure I came out about even-- this bout of self-employment necessitated spending an hour on hold with the Employment Security Department and another hour completing two self-employment questionnaires.

What have I learned since my last post? Well, to be blunt, I learned I really like working.

I like having a schedule. I like crossing things off a list as I accomplish them. I like seeing the resulting impact of the accomplished items. I like getting a paycheck. I like interacting with colleagues when we are all working to develop a solution to a common challenge. And, yes, to some extent I can structure my job search so it imitates a real job and pretend that my weekly deposit from the ESD is a paycheck. But it just isn’t the same thing.

The unsuccessful search is frustrating and demoralizing.

And, honestly there have been a few days of late when it is just too much to face and I go to the movies rather than write another cover letter.

Informational meetings have helped me stay energized and keep my brain engaged, but staying positive when living the unemployed lifestyle is challenging.

Speaking of those informational meetings, I have been pleasantly overwhelmed by the number of people who have been willing to take up to an hour of their day to talk with me or get out their rolodex and make introductions on my behalf. These conversations have been high points in this otherwise challenging experience so thanks to everyone who has taken the time!

I have also been disappointed when my requests are spurned or ignored. (So much like dating, no?) The other day I received this response to a meeting request I had made about 2 weeks earlier:

“Unfortunately, I will not have the opportunity to meet up in the near future. That said, we will keep your resume on file and if anything should open up will be in touch.”

This wasn’t a cold email on my part. I had been introduced by a colleague. My inner voice response: “Really!?!? You don’t have 10 minutes to talk to me on the phone in the near future? And, it took you 2 weeks to share this information with me?”

I appreciate that those who are still gainfully employed are being asked to do more with less but… Of course, I don’t know this person’s situation, and I may have been only one of fifty requests they had received for informational meeting, but it still stung. And, responses to meeting requests are the least of it.

Though most organizations automatically generate submission receipts, I have received status updates on less than 20 percent of the positions to which I have applied.

An anonymous commenter on one of my previous posts described an interview experience he had:

“Last month I had a company show real interest, so much interest they brought me in three times over a month. After the last interview they said they'd call back "shortly". Three weeks later - nothing. Is this becoming the norm? Interview someone and never give an answer? What would they have to lose by stating they're not interested? To me it's just rude. I gave three days off (from my current job) and I at least expect some type of response after that final interview.”

I agree. It is rude. From my perspective employers can – and should -- do a better job of communicating with applicants. I’ve had good experiences in which the recruiter gave me weekly updates as to status and next steps (Microsoft) and not so good experiences in which I received the automated submission receipt suggesting I check out their website to learn more about the organization (um, I did this before I applied?!) almost one month after sending in my resume (a large consulting firm).

I understand that this is a hirer’s market, but it won’t always be this way and I for one have a long memory.

In my mind, supportive and communicative recruiting practices are one marker of a good place to work.

I don’t know if I’d want to work at a company that didn’t inform me that I didn’t get the job after three interviews. Heck, I’d expect that information after just one!

So you tell me, hiring managers, why isn’t communication with job seekers better (beyond “I’m too busy”)? And, job seekers, feel free to share your experiences – good and bad. I’m curious to hear from recruiters and candidates in this tough job market.

Hallie Goertz can be reached at halliegoertz@hotmail.com.

[Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of guest posts by Hallie Goertz, one of hundreds of people who have lost jobs in the Seattle tech sector in recent months. Read previous posts here.]