You know the old saying 'if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything'? Maybe employers need to forget that one.
That's right, today's diary entry is all about the joy of not getting a response. Granted, rejection might not be a 'nice' thing to say, but it is a definitive one. You've provided me with an answer. You've fulfilled your end of the bargain. Now I can move on, satisfied that you received my application and felt I wasn't suited to the position. Maybe not the best answer I could have received, but it is an answer.
Why do so many employers and recruiters find this process so difficult? Candidates have taken the time to apply to your company, likely tailoring their CV and adapting a cover letter, often completing your tests or answering your questions as well. This is a time consuming process. And you can't even be bothered to send an automated response explaining that you won't be carrying their application forward? Great. Makes the whole process feel worthwhile.
My favourite job adverts (there's a phrase I never thought I'd say) are those that provide a date, explaining that if I don't hear from them by that date, I've been rejected. It makes everyone's lives easier; you don't have to email me, and I can just note that date down. It's kind of just common courtesy to let me know, in some manner, what is going on.
I'd rather get rejection after rejection than a complete lack of response. It really makes me (and presumably other candidates) feel undervalued. Not only am I not worth hiring, I'm not even worth being told I'm not worth hiring.
Don't get me wrong, when all I've given you is a CV, I don't need personalised feedback. Just a solid no would be nice. Surely someone somewhere bothered to look at my application? They couldn't just swipe left to send an automated no? Hmm. Tinder for jobs. Maybe I should trademark that idea.
This is something I have kind of (but not really) got over as time's gone by; I no longer expect a response from people, it's easier to assume it's a no than wait for their real answer. As an outlook, it's a pretty pessimistic one, I must admit. Sadly, in this particular vein of life, pessimism is easier. At least being pessimistic at this stage means I'm not repeatedly disappointed if that rejection email does come through.
Having said that, the point of The Graduation Diaries (other than venting my personal frustrations) was to help other graduates feel better about this weird stage of life we've reached. So my advice is keep persevering. Focus on the answers you do get, not the ones you don't. If you can, push for feedback and really take it on board. If someone said they'd get back to you and they haven't, follow up. It shows some initiative and hopefully reminds them that they have a job to do.
A lack of responses isn't the worst thing in the world, however disappointing it may feel. You'll find something soon.
Good Luck.
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