Looking for work is never easy. We all know that. But imagine you get a call for an interview for the “perfect job.” You are so excited, nervous and anxious. Even if it’s not quite as perfect as you want, you still go and take a chance that maybe you will be the fortunate one. So, you do it, you go.
After the interview you evaluate how you did. You are pleased with some of the answers, or not pleased. Either way you wait to hear back, and you wait.
You go back to that day and think, they told you they would let you know either way by email.
You check your emails again.
Nothing.
You are disappointed that you didn’t get the job and you keep looking. Even more disappointed that no one from the company bothered to send you a rejection email.
I spent almost 25 years living that moment continuously.
I finally decided to start my own business. Good for me! No more rejection letters, emails or calls that never happened while I waited.
Recently, my niece started looking for part time work while she is finishing high school. She messaged me every day to tell me that she never heard back from KFC or The Max.
It broke my heart because I remember what I went through all those years ago. I do remember one time after a job interview at Choices for Youth, I got a call and the man on the other end told me that another candidate got the job.
I was disappointed but less somehow because this man had taken the time to call. He asked me could he keep my resume on file. We chatted for several minutes and he wished me luck.
Ideally, that would probably not happen too often. This man went the extra mile and I really appreciated his consideration.
I was so upset with the recent actions that my niece had told me about that I was forced to write the letter.
All I am asking is that if you interview candidates for a job, do not tell them they will hear back from the company if it is not going to happen.
Tell them nothing. Be honest up front. Tell them only the candidate who was chosen will be contacted. Simple. Be kind. That’s it!
Everyday people looking for work are waiting for that call or email. One of these individuals could be your daughter or son, your grandchild, your spouse. Would you want them to experience the emptiness of waiting for nothing? Of course not.
Life is difficult enough.
Anna Ross
St. John’s
