Doesn't anyone reply anymore?

[Halifaxmum]

Hello!

Just a query - is it now accepted practice that employers (large and small) do not reply to job applicants at all? Not even to say thanks but no, even if they don't give a reason?

I ask because I've been applying for quite a few jobs lately (in admin/payroll kind of roles) and never seem to get a reply - either by email or post. It makes me wonder if the Job Centre staff actually believe it when I tell this, or is this the norm?

TIA x

[China Doll]

I rarely got replies when I didn't get jobs, it's disheartening but just the way it goes. I could usually request feedback if I went for an interview but didn't get the job though.

[jd_1984]

My experience is No, not always..

[milly143]

B/F has been looking for a new job for months and has found the same. We believe that alot of the jobs advertised on job sites do not exist, they just put them up in order to get your details when you apply. That would explain why you never get any acknowledgment.

[mccfluff]

the huge volume of replies we get in repsonse to and add means we can;t possibible reply to them all - we'd have to emply someone to do it :-)

but we do say in our adds that we'd ont; treply unless you are susccessful in getting an interview. you could always ring the compnay up and ask if they've received it?

[Halifaxmum]

Thanks China.

Don't you think it's a bit rude though? I do. I can spend hours filling in application forms and they don't even reply. Maybe it's my age!!! lol

[woofgang]

I think that many firms have the system that if you don't hear from us, we aren't interested. In the NHS (retired now) we could get a hundred applications for one post - the cost and time of replying would have been immense, even by email. We would let people who got an interview know if they hadn't got the job but not reply to anyone who didn't get to the interview stage.

[China Doll]

I don't really think it's rude as I can see why they don't, you can get hundreds of applications for jobs and to reply to all saying the application hasn't been sucessful to interview stage would be pretty time consuming. That said, I did find it very annoying and terribly disheartening so I understand what you're saying, it's not much fun.

[Halifaxmum]

Thanks all.

Milly - I've heard that about the job centre computer things - that half the jobs don't exist!
You couldn't make it up could you?!

Fluff - thank you for that. I can see your point, it isn't half disheartening tho...

[woofgang]

we would always be happy to check that we had received anyone's application who enquired.

[milly143]

If applications are by e-mail it is very easy to set up an automatic reply just to acknowledge receipt of the application though. I can imagine it would take a long time via other means though.

[WELSHYORKIE]

My son has applied for about 20 jobs and had 1 reply. He went along for an interview, was offered a position subject to trial shift, did 1 shift (0600-1430) and hasn't heard from the bar stewards since. The hotel has, apparently given 'trial shifts' to 10 applicants - one way to keep overheads down, i suppose

[mccfluff]

good luck with the job hunt

[woofgang]

PS, on odd occasions, we'd get people asking why they hadn't been offered an interview. Where we could, (details of unsuccessful candidates who weren't shortlisted are destroyed pretty quickly) we would give an answer. This was usually that they didn't fulfil the job requirements.

[Halifaxmum]

Wow Yorkie, that is some slimeball of an employer!

The answer seems to be...just keep soldiering on I guess...! x

[Halifaxmum]

Thanks woof, fluff and all...and Merry Christmas to you all x

[chelle7272]

Hi

Where I work we always make the effort to respond, whether positive or negative, just because we believe it's polite to do so, but having said that we don't run a business which is likely to have appl;ications in the 10's or above. I do know though, from HR discussions with other agencies, that is mostly common practive now not to reply, either because they have too many applicants, not enough resources, or just can't be bothered to do so. I can sort if understand from am employers point of view if there are a lot of applications for one post. I work for a charity and we are getting the same with fundraising buds - we just never hear back! not great when people's jobs are on the line!

It would helpful though if they could state on the advert or application pack, if you don't hear by x date, then you have been unsuccessful.
You can ask for feedback from a job you have applied for, if you think it may help.

[Chaffinch]

Hi Halifaxmum, I recently advdertised a position and got 423 applications!!!! We could not have replied as this would have taken a huge amount of time effort and more importantly cost.

But a good tip is make your C.V, short, snappy and eye catching. Always make sure you hand write your letter, and type your C.V, only put in your C.V what is relavant to the position you are applying for.

keep trying and good luck

[Kambu14]

I think that people have become rather lazy, and the fact that there are also a lot of applicants helps them justify not responding. Even if that's so, and they are a bit overwhelmed with applicants, and can not personally respond to all of them. They could at least send out and automated response to all the rejected applicants.