Do potential employers owe you an explaination?

Nurses Professionalism

Published

Often times on here I've posts on here where a an interview has taken place, maybe even a second one, the person is told "you will hear something soon" but "soon" turns into a week, two weeks..no response. The interviewee may email or call to "check on my status" but gets no reply at all. So this leave the person wondering what they said wrong, why the job they were so sure they would be offered was not only offered but dead in the water without so much as a "thanks again for meeting with us" for the 2nd or 3rd time.

Someone I know who is going through this now said "I think employers owe the interviewee a follow up to the interview - either yes or no, instead of having people hang on hoping. Professionalism and courteously run both ways." He drove 2 hrs one way for an interview, had a second interview a week later at another office an hour from his home and was told he was going to move onto the last interview and would be contacted for a date/time with 24 hrs. It has now been 2 weeks. He has tried contacting the two people he has previously been in contact with but is not getting a response by phone or email from them.

While I agree with him about the professional aspect and I do think employers "should" follow up appropriately, I don't think they owe interviewees anything. Am I wrong?

Specializes in Pedi.

An employer that you've worked for for 20+ years can fire you with no explanation, so I'm not sure why you'd expect one from a potential employer who just chose not to hire you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

The only time I've ever gotten more than a letter or e-mail saying "Thank you for your interest but we have decided to hire another candidate" was when I have applied for an internal positions. I don't think a potential employer "owes" you anything. I've never expected feedback on why I didn't get a job I interviewed for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

I agree with other posters, potential employers owe you NOTHING. In the past, I have thanked my lucky stars just to get the experience an interview. Being hired in was a plus. Very tight economy means a lot of applicants for few positions. I doubt it's at the front of the recruiter's mind to make sure to send a letter to everyone who applied. Just my $0.02.

BTW, great topic!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'll tell you exactly what I have done in the past that has got an instant response.

"Dear Mr. Jones:

I want to thank you again for the opportunity to interview for the position at General Hospital. I have been offered another position by University hospital and I'm working on finalizing paperwork now.

I just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it was to interview with you and I really wished it had worked out because General Hospital was really my first choice of employer, but I understand that you have to choose the candidate that is best for your facility and my only hope is that in the future, you will remember me if another position comes available.

Thank you again for the opportunity,

Jane Doe, RN"

...I do this even if I don't have another job offer....it lets them know you are interested and you think they moved on.

I have done this with other professions and if they are really looking at hiring you, you will get a call the same day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Yes, an explanation is due, and is the professional way to go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A phone call or email stating the position has been filled-yes. An "interview" telling you that you didn't get the job?! Uh, no.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

With a plethora of nurses....unfortunately they just don't care. They don't have to.....Like everything else these days.....courtesy, respect, honor, manners.......no longer exist.....it's more frightening than the scariest movie I have ever seen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I agree with others that the interviewee is not owed anything, but in my world letting a candidate know that the position has been filled shows professionalism and class. It doesn't take an interviewer five minutes to compose and mass send a generic e-mail to inform interviewees that the position has been filled. During a job search within the past few years, two organizations that I applied to let me know that I didn't get the job and saved me from the endless wondering. Therefore I personally have a much favorable opinion of these two employers even though I wasn't hired. When the economic tide eventually turns, they have fostered my (and perhaps others') goodwill. While the employers that never responded will be written off as I doubt I'd bother applying with them again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A local hospital system I have been applying to sends out an email, basically saying, thanks for applying, but you're not being considered for that particular position. This is before an interview has even occurred. Gives me hope for all of the other positions I have applied to and haven't heard back from them yet.

I think if you go on an interview and they state you will hear back in a few days, they should contact you either way to say you did or didn't get the job. Takes 5 mins, tops, to send out a generic form email, but gives a person weeks to months piece of mind and ability to move on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Nothing is OWED, but common courtesy and professionalism should trigger some type of notification that you did not make the cut.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

The potential employers that I apply to send out a detailed automated response confirming that they relieve my application, and If I don't get notified, my information is kept on file for future opportunities. If they don't contact me, obviously they went on to someone else. I move on until the next position comes along. If I get a call back after an interview, usually is to say when do I want to start. Most employers do not have the time to contact everyone, and I understand that. On to the next one...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Nobody owes you an explanation for why you did not get hired, and it opens them up to potential liability. But they absolutely should send out a generic form letter to unsuccessful candidates to let them know the position has been filled. How much time does it take already? After we've spent time, money and energy on going to the interview, five minutes of courtesy is not too much to ask. I wonder if any of these interviewers have any memory of what it was like to get their first job. If nothing else, I hope my misery of a job search experience makes me more sensitive if I'm ever in the position to be hiring.

As long as we're on this subject... what is a reasonable number of people to interview for one position? I don't see any reason to interview 10 people for 1 job unless we're talking about a very high level position. I like to know before I go to an interview if I have a 30% chance of getting this job versus a 10% chance.

Another question -- I had one job interviewer send me a letter telling me that the position has been filled, but then added a handwritten note saying, "Please keep in touch." Should I take them at their word? Should I let them know I've started working at another job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment