Employers who don't respond to applicants

Geesh! It's become like Dead at 21, instead Dead at 35! Since when someone being in their 30's and 40's deems a person as "old"?

Wow, this is so disheartening to read.
And really, am I doing something wrong? I'm certain several of you have asked yourself this. I moved to a different state in August and I'm still unemployed. I've applied to a variety of places, but focusing on banks. Had a phone interview with a banking company last Friday and have not heard back.
Sigh.

losing_faith in Orlando, Florida said: OK - maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I expect too much. Maybe not. I have found that employers and recruiters alike post opportunities on many different websites. They write these massive compliant job descriptions and skills requirements. They state what they want and need in difficult to follow terms. C'est la vie....right? Sure! But.....dedicated jobseekers like myself spend countless hours reading, reviewing, researching, and responding to these postings. Taking time to ascertain who the contact is that will be receiving the application or the hiring manager that will be making the decision. Sending documents into the recruiter for internships. Carefully crafted cover letters and resumes that focus in on making sure the candidate background is understood. Then - NOTHING! Not a simple response that "we have chosen other candidates" not a postcard, a phonecall, NADA! I have even learned that some HR departments and recruiters post job listings when they DON'T EVEN EXIST! They collect the candidate information or it's required based on guidelines! I'm interested to know if I am the only one who is experiencing this aggravation of wasting my time.

Hi, my answer no! I have the same issue with this business offices. I considered as rude, incompetent, and scammers. We give all our informations to them, my life as a matter of fact and no reply what-so-ever, not that is rude! For me Time is Money, and we wasted so much time for nothing, they are taking advantage about this free online advertising. It should be illegal to do this, my info's are out to where???? it is frustrating! I feel for you...

vvvvv nnnnnnnn in Knoxville, Tennessee said: Hi, my answer no! I have the same issue with this business offices. I considered as rude, incompetent, and scammers. We give all our informations to them, my life as a matter of fact and no reply what-so-ever, not that is rude! For me Time is Money, and we wasted so much time for nothing, they are taking advantage about this free online advertising. It should be illegal to do this, my info's are out to where???? it is frustrating! I feel for you...

I feel the exact same way. We have bills to pay and other financial needs. We can't just sit around waiting, then applying to places that won't give you a chance in the first place.

I would not bother with Staffing Firms, such as Apple One in Glendale, CA & Paramus, NJ unless they actually have an interview set up for you. The information on your resume is fine to transfer to an application; but don't give them any other info. I wasted hours filling out forms; and never had even a phone interview. Several weeks later, Apple One filed a bogus W9 to NJ Unemployment Office. This cost me additional trips to the Local Dept. of Labor and several more hours wasted. After having words with Apple One staff, I never have to deal with them again; and I have no regrets.

Yes, I agree. But, you must tell to the applicants you are not qualified, do not let those people waiting for an answer. If someone apply is for a reason.

I was referred to a job recruiter for a huge company via a recruiter in a different area of the company. Phone interview went well. Paperwork completed, portfolio literally shined, hair cut, great interview, seemingly perfect fit...it has now been three weeks and no word. I emailed the recruiter and the hiring manager the day following the interview. I then called the recruiter two weeks after the interview to follow-up. I've heard nothing and just saw the job posted again today on a job board. Give up on this job?

I give them 30 days. I actually put the date of the resume/interview down on a spreadsheet. If I haven't heard back, regardless of the story, within 30 days, its over.

You need to put your OWN time limit on all this nonsense.

Heh! I got a call from one company, six months after I started with a new company. I couldn't even remember interviewing with them.

Thanks for the input. I also keep a spreadsheet of everywhere I have applied and resulting actions (i.e., phone screens, interviews, etc.).
I do live an hour and a half away from the job, but I told them I was planning to move to the city before the end of the year. They assured me that is fine, as they may not fill the position before the end of the year. Maybe I am jumping the gun on this one...but I have gotten to the 'final' interview several times in the past year, only to be completely dropped without any communication despite repeated inquiries from me.

MarComm Woes in Charlottesville, Virginia said: Thanks for the input. I also keep a spreadsheet of everywhere I have applied and resulting actions (i.e., phone screens, interviews, etc.).
I do live an hour and a half away from the job, but I told them I was planning to move to the city before the end of the year. They assured me that is fine, as they may not fill the position before the end of the year. Maybe I am jumping the gun on this one...but I have gotten to the 'final' interview several times in the past year, only to be completely dropped without any communication despite repeated inquiries from me.

Never stop applying. In this job market, its all a numbers game.

MarComm Woes in Charlottesville, Virginia said: I was referred to a job recruiter for a huge company via a recruiter in a different area of the company. Phone interview went well. Paperwork completed, portfolio literally shined, hair cut, great interview, seemingly perfect fit...it has now been three weeks and no word. I emailed the recruiter and the hiring manager the day following the interview. I then called the recruiter two weeks after the interview to follow-up. I've heard nothing and just saw the job posted again today on a job board. Give up on this job?

No, don't give up. Here's what I would do. Are you a member of Linked-in? Try to see if you can network with some of the people from this company who work in the department that you are interested in. Don't call HR because this never works. You need to speak to some people who actually work in this department. It won't guarantee you the job by any means, but what networking often does is, it gives you an idea of what's really happening at the company. What you want to ask is, what is the status of your job application and why did the company put out another want ad for the job you interviewed for. And if they're good people, they'll be honest with you.

Nick L in Medford, Massachusetts said: Frylock -- on another board someone said that the oldest staff accountant their company had (out of 100 employees) was 28 and that someone who was 38 (person who posted question about why he was rejected) and interviewing for an entry level or staff acct job would 'raise eyebrows' and probably be rejected

Wow, it really makes you wonderful what kind of accounting office that is! Obviously not professional. I wouldn't want an accountant doing work for me who is still in their 20's. lol And I'm not that much older than 28. hehe

Really_Annoyed in Randolph, New Jersey said: Wow, it really makes you *wonder* what kind of accounting office that is! Obviously not professional. I wouldn't want an accountant doing work for me who is still in their 20's. lol And I'm not that much older than 28. hehe

Just noticed my typo, sorry.

losing_faith in Orlando, Florida said: OK so if you and I started a business advertising a get rich quick scheme we would probably be indicted on fraud charges if one dollar changed hands. Corporate America advertises the same thing EXCEPT their ads are to make money by working. Candidates lose money on paper, ink, internet, time, research costs, and NOT to mention the mental anguish of fruitless labor. The end result is still the same regardless of the scenario -parties in both cases lost money on misleading offers yet prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it won't turn into if only that candidate met the "one" qualification he or she needed then the person would have been hired. Enter the double standard. Companies should NOT advertise positions unless they intend to hire. Even if we advertised a deceptive product BUT had no "intention" to sell it we would still feel the wrath of the situation.

Companies are not sensitive to the time, energy, cost associated with the job hunting experience. Furthermore, they require Psychometric testing, multiple interviews, authority from the candidate to contact their references, Social Security numbers, and ater all this no response.
It is just plain cruel behavior. Another interviewing tactic is to make the job candidate believe he/she is comming in for a one-on-one interview and it rurns out to be a group interview and often for a "business opportunity" requiring an investment.
If a candidate asks too many pre-qualifiying questions about the job, he/she runs the risk of being disqualified and not getting the in person interview. Often, a candidate will think they are applying for an immediate opening and the interviewer tell the candidate they are in no hurry or have just begun the their search for the "perfect candidate". It seems they are purposely bringing in candidates they they know up front are not the "perfect candidate" to help them refine their job description or expectations.

KC in Oak Park, Michigan said: Companies are not sensitive to the time, energy, cost associated with the job hunting experience. Furthermore, they require Psychometric testing, multiple interviews, authority from the candidate to contact their references, Social Security numbers, and ater all this no response.
It is just plain cruel behavior. Another interviewing tactic is to make the job candidate believe he/she is comming in for a one-on-one interview and it rurns out to be a group interview and often for a "business opportunity" requiring an investment.
If a candidate asks too many pre-qualifiying questions about the job, he/she runs the risk of being disqualified and not getting the in person interview. Often, a candidate will think they are applying for an immediate opening and the interviewer tell the candidate they are in no hurry or have just begun the their search for the "perfect candidate". It seems they are purposely bringing in candidates they they know up front are not the "perfect candidate" to help them refine their job description or expectations.

And that is why, after you have a "great interview" you go home and apply for 5 more jobs. You never stop looking, no matter what they tell you. Its all BS until you have an actual job offer.

I have been on interviews where 3 or 4 of us had that 9:00 am appointment. Heh!

Frylock in Hackensack, New Jersey said: You are not alone. Mid-level jobs are extremely rare; and if you are over 40, you can't get an entry/low level position.

I'd say it's time to give Henry Paulson and other corrupt leaders the infamous New Jersey style BARA BOOM!!!

I shortened my resume to help disguise the fact that I am 50 years old. It worked because I graduated from college with my BS when I was 45, and I removed my work history prior to my date of college graduation. Unfortunately, it only worked to land me some interviews. When they saw me in person I could tell from their responses they were not interested in someone my age and were just being polite. Too bad companies can't just post in their job descriptions that they have an age requirement, as it would save older job hunters like myself a lot of wasted time and energy. Comming back from job interviews is a depressing experience for older workers. Fortunately most of us learned years ago to cope with the fact that life is not fair - period.

KC in Oak Park, Michigan said: I shortened my resume to help disguise the fact that I am 50 years old. It worked because I graduated from college with my BS when I was 45, and I removed my work history prior to my date of college graduation. Unfortunately, it only worked to land me some interviews. When they saw me in person I could tell from their responses they were not interested in someone my age and were just being polite. Too bad companies can't just post in their job descriptions that they have an age requirement, as it would save older job hunters like myself a lot of wasted time and energy. Comming back from job interviews is a depressing experience for older workers. Fortunately most of us learned years ago to cope with the fact that life is not fair - period.

I agree. Once you are over 50 and regardless of what the books say, the most you can get is a job.

Still, it is better to be dismissed at the interview rather than at the resume or online app stage. Computers can count on their fingers too.

Now when they say during the interview, "You are overqualified", say, "I am over 50, I will always be overqualified now" And don't say another word. The look on their faces is priceless.

Frylock in Hackensack, New Jersey said: I would not bother with Staffing Firms, such as Apple One in Glendale, CA & Paramus, NJ unless they actually have an interview set up for you. The information on your resume is fine to transfer to an application; but don't give them any other info. I wasted hours filling out forms; and never had even a phone interview. Several weeks later, Apple One filed a bogus W9 to NJ Unemployment Office. This cost me additional trips to the Local Dept. of Labor and several more hours wasted. After having words with Apple One staff, I never have to deal with them again; and I have no regrets.

Frylock: I can't believe that Apple One did this! Why did they send in a bogus W9 form? That's crazy. They're going to get in trouble big time! Stick to your guns, and just simply go directly to the companies instead. The heck with these staffing agencies!

dal77 in Columbus, Georgia said: Wow, reading this post has really made me realize I am not alone...I was starting to think I was crazy! Same thing w/me..I have applied to several jobs in the last 6 mos, and have heard back (declinations) from only 2. I get several phone calls offers to sell insurance. (I am licensed, but want to change career paths). No one seems to notice that I list several other qualifications on my resume; they see where I have worked for the past 10 yrs, and boom...they want me to sell!!!
Also am seeing the same jobs I applied for being run again on job sites. Very frustrating!
People have mentioned to me that I am probably overqualified for some of the positions I have applied for. Well, if I'm willing to work the job, accept the pay...I don't get it!
Find myself becoming bitter the longer this goes on...

It's not your past. It's that salespeople are DESPERATE. I have NOTHING even close to sales on my resume, and get tons of calls from companies looking for salespeople, insurance are the worst. They're getting smarter to, I got a call about a business consulting position, he made the mistake of telling me that I'd be managing accounts. I asked if it was a sales position he said "we offer a good mix of sales and consulting," ha!

The WORST that happened so far was that I got a call for a sales position offering 60k a year base. I figured what the hell, I'll do it for a year and be able to pay for grad school. They offered me a phone interview, and when I did it they asked if I was passionate about sales. I told them I was passionate about business and would love to learn all aspects ofteh business, especially sales which is instrumental. They called back and told me no because I wasn't passionate about sales. They could have looked at my resume to figure that one out. I can't stand these people.

Start protesting these idiots: DON'T give I-DEV or Opower the time of day, they're the worst.

KC in Oak Park, Michigan said: Comming back from job interviews is a depressing experience for older workers. Fortunately most of us learned years ago to cope with the fact that life is not fair - period.

I don't know if I'd consider myself "older," but I've had this emotion when departing interviews several times.

No, life isn't fair, but I've been lucky in some regards. I just haven't been lucky in the landing a new job category.

Parafreegal in Chicago, Illinois said: I don't know if I'd consider myself "older," but I've had this emotion when departing interviews several times.

No, life isn't fair, but I've been lucky in some regards. I just haven't been lucky in the landing a new job category.

You are absolutely correct. My experience has been that nearly every interview has been a mind-f**k. I don't think that they give much thought to selecting candidates, except for those that will work at low pay. Nearly everyone I know who has a job is doing the job of two or more workers. I guess they think that they really don't need to hire.

Oh my gosh! I thought that I'm the only one who is feeling the same way! I almost submitted a resume everyday! And what?! there's not even a single response! That starbucks that i've been sending a lot of resume via Ol must really hate me! its because my friend contacted me that she has an interview with starbucks right after she submitted her resume to them ol!!! just after 5 minutes after she send her resume!! while me? its been almost a year that i've been sending them my cv!! how can i get a job or a job experience if they're not allowing me to have one! its not just starbucks! but all of those companies that i've been sending my resume! they don't even know how hard it is for us applicants to seek for a job!

TheMonsterLives in San Francisco, California said: in my experience, every job i've ever gotten i have been hired on the spot. The whole we're looking to interview a bunch of people before making our decision line is crap. they know whether or not they're going to hire you pretty quickly.

It's true, and they make the decision based on petty superficial things like your overall appearance, height, weight, skin color, apparent age, and skin color again. I've had doors slammed in my face when I got places even though my resume made them want to meet me because I type near 100wpm and have pretty much all Office software coming out my ears, and have a degree from Yale at that. Then when they see brown skin, it's slam. Thanks for stopping by.

Paige in Davis, California said: It's true, and they make the decision based on petty superficial things like your overall appearance, height, weight, skin color, apparent age, and skin color again. I've had doors slammed in my face when I got places even though my resume made them want to meet me because I type near 100wpm and have pretty much all Office software coming out my ears, and have a degree from Yale at that. Then when they see brown skin, it's slam. Thanks for stopping by.

Honestly, in your case I think it's because you're worth a good amount of money. Your degree from Yale, 100 wpm, plus experience. It really all comes down to money. Companies want to get by with paying the least amount of money possible, so someone who is 22, fresh out of college, maybe a year of experience, they would rather have them than someone with really strong skills, good experience, and went to Yale. It's a real mess out there.

Really_Annoyed in Randolph, New Jersey said: Honestly, in your case I think it's because you're worth a good amount of money. Your degree from Yale, 100 wpm, plus experience. It really all comes down to money. Companies want to get by with paying the least amount of money possible, so someone who is 22, fresh out of college, maybe a year of experience, they would rather have them than someone with really strong skills, good experience, and went to Yale. It's a real mess out there.

Its true. When I worked for this one bank, the unspoken rule was not to hire bank tellers with over 5 years of experience - they wanted too much money. Although they came and went, they preferred one year of experience and part time.

I got another job but I wasn't their first choice. I was however, the low bidder. Heh! I found this out later.

Read Robert Reich's, Aftershock. We have been pushing wages down now for over 30 years.

Going to have to agree with years of experience being a reason for rejection. I have thirteen years experience as a paralegal, and I have been unsuccessful in locating a new paralegal job (I was laid off again in 2011). I see some adverts for Legal Assistants, but these law firms and insurance companies want people with 2-3 years experience or recent grads. Very rarely I have come accross ads which are seeking people with at least 5 years of legal experience.

It's a numbers game now. Ten years ago salary wasn't even discussed until the second interview. These days, salary range is requested when you first submit your resume. I found that since I lowered my salary 30% less than what I was earning, I've received some responses. I do think that companies place ads so that the government gets off their back (it might be a bit far fetched, but some companies keep advertising for the same positions over and over again!).

Best of luck to everyone out there.

Bluetea in Texas said:
Read Robert Reich's, Aftershock. We have been pushing wages down now for over 30 years.

Oh WOW! The memories! I had to read that book in my Freshman year of HS. Reich also predicted that people would adapt a "what's in it for me" attitude, and that is pretty dead on with what's going on today. I should re-read that book.

tmf1977 in Yonkers, New York said: Oh WOW! The memories! I had to read that book in my Freshman year of HS. Reich also predicted that people would adapt a "what's in it for me" attitude, and that is pretty dead on with what's going on today. I should re-read that book.

In my day, it was "The Great U-Turn" by Bluestone and Harrison. Written back in the early 90's, they saw the writing on the wall, even then.

Bluetea in Texas said: In my day, it was "The Great U-Turn" by Bluestone and Harrison. Written back in the early 90's, they saw the writing on the wall, even then.

It's pretty heart wrenching. It's like the downfall of Rome, and basically both political parties have sold this country out.

Future Shock by Alvin Toffler is another good book. Toffler predicted a second major revolution involving technology, but unlike the industrial revolution, robotics would have more severe consenquences. This was in 1984 mind you. Toffler also wrote much about the "what's in it for me" attitude gripping society as well.

tmf1977 in Yonkers, New York said: It's pretty heart wrenching. It's like the downfall of Rome, and basically both political parties have sold this country out.

All the Gloom and Doom economists are comparing us to the last days of the Roman Empire; seems all the same factors are in place.

tmf1977 in Yonkers, New York said: It's pretty heart wrenching. It's like the downfall of Rome, and basically both political parties have sold this country out.
Future Shock by Alvin Toffler is another good book. Toffler predicted a second major revolution involving technology, but unlike the industrial revolution, robotics would have more severe consenquences. This was in 1984 mind you. Toffler also wrote much about the "what's in it for me" attitude gripping society as well.

This is really good reading material that state the facts, unlike the media that only expresses "expert" opinions avoiding the truth. Everyone should also watch "Inside Job". When I graduated college in the early '80s, the advice given to us B.Boomer-Butts was "Keep your skills up to date." The problem is that once a skill level beyond mid-career is obtained, the experience level required of the job seeker to sustain one's income far exceeds the job requirements/skills of the position. Thus, getting laid-off/fired after age 40 is a career death sentence regardless of expertise. Now middle-aged, I can relate to the elderly customer (back in '84) in the long line at Wells Fargo Bank in CA who said, "Maybe ay cood git a job as a BANK TELLUH!" It's time to become self employed. So I'm using my knowledge to develop off-grid solutions.

Frylock in Hackensack, New Jersey said: Thus, getting laid-off/fired after age 40 is a career death sentence regardless of expertise. Now middle-aged, I can relate to the elderly customer (back in '84) in the long line at Wells Fargo Bank in CA who said, "Maybe ay cood git a job as a BANK TELLUH!" It's time to become self employed. So I'm using my knowledge to develop off-grid solutions.

Yeah, when they tell me that I am overqualified, I say, "I am over 50 so I will always be "overqualified". The look on their faces is just priceless.

Well, when it all hits the fan, I hope to read about it, while drinking coffee on a beach in Honduras.

PL in Bel Air, Maryland said: Wow, this is so disheartening to read.
And really, am I doing something wrong? I'm certain several of you have asked yourself this. I moved to a different state in August and I'm still unemployed. I've applied to a variety of places, but focusing on banks. Had a phone interview with a banking company last Friday and have not heard back.
Sigh.

I felt the same way too. Did I do something wrong? I revised my resume to tailor to the positions I'm being called for. Still, nothing.

Frylock in Hackensack, New Jersey said: When I graduated college in the early '80s, the advice given to us B.Boomer-Butts was "Keep your skills up to date." The problem is that once a skill level beyond mid-career is obtained, the experience level required of the job seeker to sustain one's income far exceeds the job requirements/skills of the position.

Tell me about it! I'm 34 and I am already experiencing this. I have decided its time to drop the salary to mid-high 40's. It kills me that 10 years ago I made this salary, however now getting benefits and a somewhat ok salary is better than holding out for nothing. I find that employers run out of excuses. If you have experience with the latest software and technology, there really isn't a reason not to hire someone. However what I have been encountering is going through the interview process (three positions I made it to the second round) and the company decided not to proceed with hiring. Makes you wonder if these reports that the economy is improving a bogus.

Stay strong people.

tmf1977 in Orlando, Florida said: Tell me about it! I'm 34 and I am already experiencing this. I have decided its time to drop the salary to mid-high 40's. It kills me that 10 years ago I made this salary, however now getting benefits and a somewhat ok salary is better than holding out for nothing. I find that employers run out of excuses. If you have experience with the latest software and technology, there really isn't a reason not to hire someone. However what I have been encountering is going through the interview process (three positions I made it to the second round) and the company decided not to proceed with hiring. Makes you wonder if these reports that the economy is improving a bogus.

Stay strong people.

When I got this job, I wasn't their first choice. However, I was the low bidder. I found this out later.

Sometimes peaches are 99 cents a pound and sometimes they are $2.99 a pound. Supply and Demand.

However what I have been encountering is going through the interview process (three positions I made it to the second round) and the company decided not to proceed with hiring. Makes you wonder if these reports that the economy is improving a bogus.

Stay strong people.

The hiring process of the last several years has been to interview three or four times the number of candidates and/or negate the req for the job. I've also discovered that the majority of businesses that keep cycling through employees and contractors have less than desirable management like moronic control freaks fiscally penny-wise and dollar foolish with no common sense.