Interview rejection/follow-up from other employees in the company.?

Question

A few years ago I went to a career fair and talked to a nonprofit. I felt that although the mini-interview had not really led anywhere, I was still intrigued by what the organization did. I sent along a thank you letter to the person I spoke to.

A few weeks later I recieved a message from the other person at the fair who I did not speak to, thanking me for my interest and wanting me to get in touch for a follow-up in their office. She even explicitly thanked me for speaking with, even though I didn't even know who she was.

I recently recieved a rejection for a position from an organization, and the same thing happened--it came from someone with whom I did not interview and have had no prior contact with. They suggested I look into other positions with the organization. I felt that this was rather disorganized as a hiring practice at best.

Is this standard? I know that hiring managers and what not are busy, but isn't it more business-like and polite to have the interviewer acknowledge the thank you note and do the follow up if the employer wants to pursue a potential employee? It just seems so impersonal and the potential employee is nothing but a number.

Answer 1

This can be normal practice because some companies have a Representative in Human Resources or the department in which you applied reply to the candidates. There are several roles within an organization when dealing with applicants. One person does the meeting and greeting, one does the written replies and one is in the background (usually the Manager who might be the interviewer when you're called in to speak in person).

I agree it's confusing and makes you feel as though the person you actually spoke with couldn't remember or care less who you are, but that's the way some companies operate.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are a very intelligent person, and some companies just don't appreciate that. You have good quality skills that sometimes are a threat, to people in high position on the job. I don't think some of the applications get around to the main people. Employees seem to be acting out a role that is not their place to do what is not their place to be doing...Sometimes it's an age thing, or to much knowledge, education way above, and experience will make it difficult to get the job.

Sounds funny, but I learned not to put all my skills on that form to be filled out, and now I get a job a lot faster. It all depends on the company, some high paying positions want to under pay, and willing to train so they wont have to pay the employee what they deserve to get paid.

I have been the person to screen applications and help make a decision based upon a paper with different qualifications, experience, and history, to help the boss make the final call, and bosses don't like that sometimes you know to much, they'd rather start someone with less experience to help create what they want the person to be, like a clone of themselves.

You get honest, they judge wrong!

Answer 3

definitly unprofessional. i'd be pissed too.. and do something about it!