What can I do when a prospective employer does not reply to emails or phone calls?

Question

I had what appeared to be a very successful phone interview. The employer had offered at the end of the phone conversation to fly me to another state for an in-person interview. He asked about my availability to travel, and requested that I email him with specific dates. I did. He has not responded to two emails and a phone call. Is there something I can do? I think his silence is unprofessional and unethical. He reneged on his oral promise. Is there any recourse I have? I don't understand his silence at all. Why doesn't he simply communicate to me what he decided with respect to the position, even if he had decided to retract his offer for free travel?

Answer 1

a potential employer is under no obligation to honor an oral agreement. they can even retract an offer of employment for any reason.
if they have decided not to pursue any applicant, they are also under no obligation to contact them to let them know the circumstances. it may seem unprofessional and unethical, but in reality it is just the normal course of business.
if they have not responded to your emails of phone calls then they are either too busy to contact you (a viable reason depending on the industry) or they have do not have any concrete plans in place for your travel yet or they have decided not to pursue your application any further. in either case, legally, they have no responsibility to inform you.
probably not the answer you wanted or were expecting, but this is most likely the case. best to move on in your job search. good luck.

Answer 2

After the engineering company I worked for relocated to Germany, I went job hunting for the first time in many years.

I was absolutely amazed at the total lack of even the courtesy of an acknowledgment following several inquiries.
I received maybe two or three out of ten responses from my job inquiries, including from some actual interviews!

For example, I was interviewed by appointment at a mid-point motel conference room in another state - I thought it went pretty well, but again, not even the courtesy of a reply or follow-up. I traveled about 125 miles for that one - nice. After several inquiries, I finally got a short, unsigned letter stating that the position had been filled. Thanks for the heads up?

It seems that now days employers are in the driver's seat and employees, rather than assets, are part of their liabilities or expense account.
They obviously feel that they don't need to compete for workers or even fake the appearance of being considerate of anybody who applies for a position.

My advice: Move on - you don't really want to work for this inconsiderate jerk anyways.

Answer 3

He's not obligated to follow through on his "potential" offer, and there is not anything you can do to force the issue.

I agree that his behavior MAY be unethical, at worst, or simply rude, at best. But, consider one of these two possibilities: You didn't get the job and he'd too embarassed to tell you, or, he has fallen ill and can't respond to your emails and voice mails.

That leaves you with two choices. Give up and go on with your job search, or, keep trying to contact him, or his staff for clarification of his offer to fly you out for an interview.

If the second option does not pan out, you may consider yourself lucky not to have taken a job, working for a flakey manager, or company.

Answer 4

I would try one more phone call - whether you get him or his voicemail, tell him that you wanted to make sure you'd sent the information he requested to the correct email address since you hadn't heard back yet.

If you still don't get a response after that, I would move on. Yes, it was unprofessional of him. But pestering isn't going to change anything, if he's decided not to move forward with further interviews. If he does want to move forward with further interviews, he'll contact you.

Answer 5

There is absolutely NOTHING you can do. I suggest you apply for other jobs. You have NO legal recourse against him. Although that behavior is unprofessional, it is perfectly legal.

Answer 6

It is obvious he changed his mind, for whatever reason. While it is rude of him not to get back to do, try not to take it personally. Just move on and look for something else. Good luck!

Answer 7

He knows how to get in touch with you if he wants to. You didn't sign a contract, so he doesn't owe you anything. Send your resume out to other places and move on.

Answer 8

It's the way of the world. Get used to it.

Answer 9

I dont know how to break this to ya pal, but you didnt get the job.

Move on with your life.

Answer 10

Look for another employer. If he ignores you now, just think what he will be like to work for.............