The job market is tough... "How tough is it?"

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

It's so tough that you get a rejection email before you've even submitted the application. I was only half way through the application (no where near completion, let alone electronically signing a submission) when I simultaneously received the rejection email. Yes, I double checked their site --only my partially completed draft was on file.I about fell off my chair laughing at the absurdity. If you've ever seen the Monty Python skit where they're bonking healthy people over the head during the Plague--that's how I feel. That said, it saves me some work.I did send a nice response to the company thanking them for being so proactive, but I mentioned that even Mark Twain didn't appreciate news of an early demise before he was actually dead.

[krisiepoo]

bwahahahahaa... that's hilarious. I've gotten rejection letters a minute or two later, but never while I was filling out the app!

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

I know! Hilarious stuff.

And not only that, but the mods moved this thread out of general to the basement of the forums. I don't think I should leave the house today, a tree might fall on me.

[Sam J.]

Anybody have any insight on how a partially completed application can be rejected? What language are these programs looking for, or looking to reject? Do these jobs actually exist, or are these programs merely collecting personal information to use in some secret data bank? Is it possible that employers post jobs that don't exist just so they can find out who may be looking for a new job?

OP- at what point was your application rejected? Name, address, etc.? Educational background/titles? Or did it allow you to even enter your work history? Did you submit a resume prior to starting the application? Is is possible you applied there before, but your newer application contained information that conflicted with prior information submitted?

Is it possible that typos cause an automatic rejection (like for an editing job- I assume other lines of work are experiencing this same impersonal, cold, rejection process)? I can't wrap my head around this new (to me) rejection of a partially completed online application.

Demoralizing, to say the least. Scary, even.

[Biffbradford]

They must have not liked your name.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

Anybody have any insight on how a partially completed application can be rejected? What language are these programs looking for, or looking to reject? Do these jobs actually exist, or are these programs merely collecting personal information to use in some secret data bank? Is it possible that employers post jobs that don't exist just so they can find out who may be looking for a new job?

OP- at what point was your application rejected? Name, address, etc.? Educational background/titles? Or did it allow you to even enter your work history? Did you submit a resume prior to starting the application? Is is possible you applied there before, but your newer application contained information that conflicted with prior information submitted?

Is it possible that typos cause an automatic rejection (like for an editing job- I assume other lines of work are experiencing this same impersonal, cold, rejection process)? I can't wrap my head around this new (to me) rejection of a partially completed online application.

Demoralizing, to say the least. Scary, even.

Nope. Never applied there before. I uploaded a resume (very professional resume, and relevant to the position, I might add), my contact information, and transcripts. That's as far as I got.

Another acquaintance had the same thing happen with the same company, but for a different position.

The company allows one to "save as draft" to work on the application at a later time. It also requires one to electronically sign the application granting permission to the company to review personal data, check references, etc. I wasn't even close to that point--it's a lengthy, 9 page application process.

I find it humorous, but also rude and insulting. It was like being cut off mid sentence in a conversation.

Another acquaintance--who alerted me to the position as he thought I would be a good fit--and actually works for this company, said applications are all reviewed by a real person. So, someone looked at my application before I even submitted it. I think that is pretty low.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I'm wondering if instead of being saved as a draft, application in progress, that perhaps it was seen as an incomplete application that was submitted.

Probably worth it it to call HR and see if there was a software glitch in the process.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

I'm wondering if instead of being saved as a draft, application in progress, that perhaps it was seen as an incomplete application that was submitted.

Probably worth it it to call HR and see if there was a software glitch in the process.

I wondered the same thing--software glitch.

However, someone I know "on the inside" says all applications are reviewed by a real person.

That could only mean that the "real person" looked at my basic info before I'd even submitted it. Pretty creepy.

[krisiepoo]

I know! Hilarious stuff.

And not only that, but the mods moved this thread out of general to the basement of the forums. I don't think I should leave the house today, a tree might fall on me.

I know, they've been especially busy moving things to where no one will see them. I asked a question and it got moved to the dung pile, too, LOL

[Hpy_Vly_RNBSN]

In the DC area that I did my job search in Many of the hospitals would kick back applications for people who had no experience as a tech or aid. It took me applying at the same hospital 20 times to get one call back. It's tough but you just have to keep pushing on.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

The automated rejection is just demeaning. I applied for an internal transfer for which I more than met the qualifications listed. Weeks later I got an automated "do not reply...you do not meet our qualifications." It was just absurd.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Based on my experience with some (very flawed) online job application systems . . .

When a job is linked to the online application system, it can be configured with screening criteria. The criteria can be used to filter out the 'best' applications or they can be set up as 'deal breakers' that automatically reject the applicant.

The problem is - those systems are usually very rudimentary (inexpensive in terms of software) ... For instance, if a job requires a minimum education of BSN, and an applicant enters "MSN", the system will reject because it has no underlying logic that says "this exceeds the requirement, so this is a good application" Sometimes, this automated idiocy can be overcome by a really expert person who can figure out how to get past the limitations, but this is a very rare event.

Depending on how the software is set up - the screening during the entry process rather than after the applicant hits the "submit" button. If it is the former, it is very possible for someone to receive a rejection before they have even submitted the application... sounds like this may have happened to the OP. It's nuts. My advice? Just keep trying & modify the information you put in each time until you hit upon a combination that works. You can always fess up to any inaccuracies and explain why you did them when (if?) you get to talk to a human.