Hospital/HR calls but leaves no message

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Does this happen often, or has it happened to anyone else?

In the past year that I've been job hunting, it has happened multiple times that I've received a phone call from a facility/HR/recruiter, but missed the call (saw it on caller ID afterward) and they did not leave a message. When I call back, no one seems to know anything about it.

I KNOW (okay I'm almost sure:lol2: ) it had to be in relation to my application, as I have no other affiliation with the hospitals. In one instance the hospital was in another area code, so seems unlikely to be a coincidental misdial when I had submitted the application hours earlier.

It is just frustrating to think I've missed opportunities because I was driving/in the bathroom/etc. and couldn't get to the phone.

Yet another reason why all recruiters should be fired immediately. They are idiots. I think the power goes to their pointy little heads.

Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

I think fungez is right.

Because of the tight market, some recruiters/HR people think they can get by with rudeness to prospective employees. It's ridiculous and incredibly unprofessional but that's how it is right now.

Seriously, next time give your cell phone number on your application. And keep the blasted phone with you at all times, even in the bathroom. Don't get into an auto accident answering a recruiter's call but be ready in case they call back.

I am sorry this is happening to you. I'm sorry this sort of nonsense is happening to anyone.

Specializes in Med Surg.

Cell phone, definitely. I was picking up medicine at a pharmacy when I got the call asking me how soon I could come in for a drug test. It just so happened that I was closer to the hospital than I was to home so I was able to go right then. If I hadn't given them my cell number would I still have gotten the job? Maybe, probably, possibly, but then again, who knows for sure?

Is there any privacy issues with them leaving messages on an answering machine.

Specializes in Gerontology.

What does your answering machine message say? Maybe they don't think they have the right number. Is your machine working correctly? Are you getting other messages OK? Maybe its broken and not recording messages.

It happened to me just few weeks ago!

I had gotten two interview calls the day before, and that particular day I was in the shower and missed a call that was 'unavailable number'.

I was going out of my mind because there's no voice mail, and no number to call back!

Thankfully I got a job but I will wonder about that missed phone call for a long time. (It could be anywhere, because I applied all over the country)

They should at least have the courtesy to leave a voice mail.

So all of you, please carry your cell phone WHEREVER you go.

For shower, #2, have it near you all the time!

Put it on vibrate AND ringtone.

This is crucial.

They had my cell, didn't call it :(

When I first started applying last year, I always kept my cell phone close at hand (not that it would have mattered in this most recent instance). But after hundreds of applications and a only a handful of calls, I started to feel silly for worrying that someone might actually call LOL

My other thought on this is that they maybe they were calling to say thanks but no thanks, so leaving a voicemail probably wasn't a priority (for them anyway)

I put my cell as the day time and night time contact number. I definetly agree to list your cell as your primary contact number or the only number you give - If both numbers are listed they might be calling the home number because it is the first number listed. My friend works in a HR office and she said when they are ready to interview they just call all the people in the maybe pile and whoever answers gets an interview - crappy system if you ask me.

They had my cell, didn't call it :(

When I first started applying last year, I always kept my cell phone close at hand (not that it would have mattered in this most recent instance). But after hundreds of applications and a only a handful of calls, I started to feel silly for worrying that someone might actually call LOL

My other thought on this is that they maybe they were calling to say thanks but no thanks, so leaving a voicemail probably wasn't a priority (for them anyway)

What does your answering machine message say? Maybe they don't think they have the right number. Is your machine working correctly? Are you getting other messages OK? Maybe its broken and not recording messages.

Our voicemail says "Hi you've reached the LastName residence, blah blah blah.", and we are getting other messages. Oh well, I left a message with the recruiter and she still hasn't called, so I'll just assume that train has left the station :mad:

Is there any privacy issues with them leaving messages on an answering machine.

I would think this would be the reason they don't leave messages. Just like when the doctor's office calls and leaves a message that your test results are in but don't elaborate. Why nobody has any idea when you call back; most likely, general ineptitude.

Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
Why nobody has any idea when you call back; most likely, general ineptitude.

I'd say rudeness and unprofessionalism as well.

In all honesty, I would be surprised if a facility was calling to say "thanks but no thanks". In the last several years it seems that most places have no problem with leaving an applicant hanging and do not ever get back with a definite yes or no.

I had one facility call me within an hour of receiving my online application and they wanted an interview the very next day. Said they would make a decision and let me know, either way, within two weeks. That was a year ago...

An HR person a few months later told me I would get a call first thing Monday morning. Again, I am still waiting.

An interesting twist of karma here is that I'm back in school in a nurse educator track. Might be a while before I finish but...

Do you think that if I ever have students who are thinking of working at either place that I WON'T tell them how poorly I was treated?

HR people should realize that the person to whom they are rude today may be the persons whose butt they need to kiss tomorrow.

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