I had a phone screen this morning for a position that I’m only about 60% qualified for. I’m really REALLY good at that 60%, but just not experienced with the other 40% that they’re looking for.
So the guy who called asked me a lot of questions, to see just how much of that 40% I had a basic grasp of – and I honestly didn’t do too well with his questions. Granted, they weren’t very good questions, really general and vague, but I probably could’ve done better than I did.
That being said, when it was all over, he made a couple clucking/thinking noises, and said “ok then, well I’m just doing some preliminary screening right now, and I hope to get back to this round of applicants either later today, or on Tuesday.”
Which brings me to what this post is all about. DUDE! I may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but I’m not stupid! I know that was totally the brushoff. So why can’t interviewers just say “you know, we’re really looking for someone with more XYZ, but thank you for your time.” Because even though I know it was a total brush off, I’m still thinking in the back of my mind “but what if it wasn’t? What if he’s actually going to bring me in for a face to face?” Yah right.
I know I’m going to be an asset to whichever company I end up with – and if I’m not a good fit for that one, it’s ok. Just stop stringing me along!
If I ever end up ina position where I’m interviewing people (and remind me of this if I get there), I’m totally going to be honest. Not mean, I’ll tell them that they’re good in some areas, but not a great fit for this particular job.
I had the same experience last year, when I had a couple of really amazing interviews that I was subsequently and seemingly mysteriously not chosen for. I was hurt and puzzled until I got some answers. For the first one, the company actually decided not to fill the position at all (an inside tip from someone I knew who worked there), even though they sent me a letter saying they “went with another candidate.” For the 2nd interview, I asked the interviewer “why” after her short “thanks but no thanks” response, and she said that although I was a great candidate, 75% of the job would entail doing something I admitted to hating (cold calling). Fair enough.
But why couldn’t they just SAY SO IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!
I know this has turned into a rambling rant, but I’m just sick of the bullshit. That’s all.
UPDATE (1:45pm): I just got the official “thanks but no thanks” email from the aforementioned phone screen. I knew it was coming. He could’ve saved himself the typing time by just saying it on the phone though.
I went in for an editing test a newspaper, which they require before you can interview. That was 3 weeks ago. When the guy walked me out after the test, he said he’d call. I called him about a week later and he seemed irritated and again said he’d call. Called him again yesterday and he said they were still working on filling that position and he hadn’t forgotten about me. I guess it’s a good thing he didn’t eliminate me solely based on my editing test (which I thought I aced), but perhaps he has and that’s why I’m getting the cold shoulder. Why can’t employers just be honest. I’ve had this experience so many times, and it’s really so much cleaner for them to just say I’m not what they’re looking for. I think it’s because they don’t like to deliver bad news, and it’s easier for them just to be incredibly rude via brush-off than coming out and saying you’re not really in the running anymore.
Been there. Done that. I went to my first interview, all went well. They called me back for a second interview, from where I stood, things looked very promising. We will call you by Friday!!!!! No call. I waited until the following Tuesday and placed the call. Voicemail!! What a surprise. I left a message leaving my phone numbers. Waited two more days. Nothing. Called again. Voicemail!!! I was astonished!!! Left another message with appropriate details and information. NOTHING!!!! At last, I gave up. But I did send a Thank you letter. I wonder if they received it?? Job Hunting is very difficult, tiresome and frustrating. We now live in a society where common courteousy does not exist. Fortunatly, that is a quality I will never surrender.
Having done tons of interviewing and hiring, I can think of one good reason why this sort of thing happens.. because they want to keep their options open. Because they like the other parts about you, and are thinking something like.. “hey, if we don’t find someone else who has *all* the right qualifications, let’s call this woman back.. she’s got everything else, and we really like her personality.”
I’ve done just that, and hired the person who wasn’t quite qualified enough. And most of the time, it works out.