Unprofessional "Prospective" Employers...Grrr

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 2, 2010

To the OP: I wouldn't get too upset about a couple of days. That's par for the course. Things get delayed for any one of a number of reasons -- illness, weather-related emergencies, staffing crisis, etc. can all delay paperwork and thereby delay a hiring decision. It may also be that they DID notify their 1st choice and they are waiting for her to make a final decision before "releasing" the 2nd and 3rd choice applicants.

However, after a couple of days, it's perfectly reasonable for you to contact them and ask about the status of your application.

Music in My Heart · Feb 2, 2010

So I'm a little ticked off. I got myself so hyped up about this Resident Services Director position. I even had the second interview and I went out and bought a new outfit for it...
I thought everything went well at the interviews. Everyone seemed really nice and professional. At the end of the second interview, they told me that everyone would get a call regardless if they got the position or not by Friday. (My interview was Wednesday.) So I waited all day Friday for the call...never came. I knew they wouldn't call over the weekend so I waited all day today for a call...never came.
I'm just upset that they would blow me off like that after they said they would call everybody. Should I even bother calling them and asking whats up? I know by now they had to have made their pick. Do I even want to work for a place that can't even keep a simple promise like that?!?

Been there, done that.

It's a little hard to have confidence in an employer who won't follow through on their world.

If they're unfaithful in the small things, it's difficult to envision how they're likely to be faithful in the big things.

JenniferSews · Feb 2, 2010

I've only had one interview but it was preluded by a lecture on how I should call if I can't make it because "everyone's time is important." Of course when I call to follow up it seems that she meant her time was important, but not mine. She never returned my calls. I can see in a busy hospital, but even a form email would have been helpful. Good luck, I hope they're just dragging their feet and will call you with good news.

fungez · Feb 2, 2010

I've had more than one interview with no follow-up phone call. I don't take it personally when I don't get a job. Factors can range from the manager having to post it but planning, all along, to hire her best friend (yes, this happened to me) to them just not thinking I'd be a good job fit. That's okay, I'm a great worker, their loss. But when they don't return my calls, even after telling me in the interview that they let all interviewees know one way or the other...it's unprofessional and it's insulting and it's not a place that I would want to work.

kcochrane · Feb 2, 2010

I always ask if they are going to call either way. That way I'm not sitting forever waiting. At least I will know either way and it will give me a reason to call if I don't hear anything.

Let us know if you call and what the status is.

prinsessa · Feb 2, 2010

I have had 6 interviews since graduating and only one follow-up rejection. I understand the NM are busy but so am I. I took hours out of my day for the interview the least they can do is send an email. I would call them to see if they have reached a decision or not. Good luck!

Moogie · Feb 2, 2010

I have had 6 interviews since graduating and only one follow-up rejection. I understand the NM are busy but so am I. I took hours out of my day for the interview the least they can do is send an email. I would call them to see if they have reached a decision or not. Good luck!

ITA! I mean, yes, people are busy and maybe it isn't possible to follow up with a telephone call to all candidates. Even a form email, "thanks for your interest but...." would be better than not hearing at all.

But if a prospective employer says he/she will call, it's simply rude not to do so.

People say how nursing is such a small world. Well, you know, maybe those who are conducting the interviews and not following up as promised need to remember that the person to whom they are rude today may be the person interviewing THEM tomorrow.

Burning bridges goes both ways. Right now, yes, it's an employer's market but that will change. It always does. And when it does, will any of the nurses who have posted their stories here about inconsiderate and unprofessional prospective employers be answering the door when those same prospective employers come knocking? I don't think so...

prinsessa · Feb 3, 2010

Burning bridges goes both ways. Right now, yes, it's an employer's market but that will change. It always does. And when it does, will any of the nurses who have posted their stories here about inconsiderate and unprofessional prospective employers be answering the door when those same prospective employers come knocking? I don't think so...

This is so true! I have been treated rudely by some hospitals and would never work there if I had a choice. Right now I can't be picky but in the future I may be able to be. I rather receive a form email than be totally ignored.

erroridiot · Feb 3, 2010

Some interviewers say that you will get a call by such and such to ease you out the door and leave things on a positive note. They know they are lying when they say it.

I never believe them when they say they will call and I don't believe anything else they say either.

They lie when their lips move.