Let's Face It - This is a RUDE Job Market

This was written over two years ago and somehow never posted.  The interesting thing is that the situation has actually gotten worse, not better.  This is a RUDE job market, so thicken up that skin of yours, because you simply can't take the lack of communication, and what feels like a total lack of respect, personally.


In the old days, you usually got a typewritten letter when you sent in an application for a job letting you know that your paperwork had been received. If you were called in for an interview, but didn't get the job offer, you got another typewritten letter informing you that you were great, but someone else was a better fit.

Today - forget about it!  The game has changed and courtesy is out the window.

Following is a timeline of an experience I had this summer...
Early July - I filed an application for a job, networked and found some close links to the hiring manager, two of whom made direct contact to recommend me for the position.

August 30 - I received a call informing me I'd been selected for a first round interview and was told that I'd been scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Friday.  Let me repeat that, told I'd been scheduled.  No does this work for you?  No what time would work best for you?  Bear in mind we're talking about the Friday before Labor Day weekend.  While I was no longer engaged in an active job search, it was too good an opportunity to simply walk away from, so I rearranged my travel plans and made it happen.

September 6 - I received a call inviting me back for a second round interview and was told it would be on Thursday at 9 a.m.  Once again, no would this work for you?  But now I knew more about the position and it was a great match in terms of content, compensation and commute, so I rearranged my work schedule to make it to that 9 a.m. interview.  

September 8 - Following a panel interview with a group of 12, I was invited to meet with the hiring manager who once again expressed delight that I made it back and asked for references and salary history.  WOW!  It looks like I made it!  In response to a question about timing, the hiring manager said she'd contact the "final candidate" by the following Wednesday, September 14.  That "final candidate" was a bit of a concern, but everything was going so smoothly, I honestly thought it was "in the bag".  I contacted all of my references to let them know they'd be receiving a call and gave them some information about the position.  Then I waited, and waited, and waited.


When none of my references were called I decided to contact the hiring manager.


September 13 - I placed a call to the hiring manager and left a message in voice mail asking if there was any other information she needed from me, restating my interest in the position, and requesting that she contact me via phone just to confirm receipt of my prior e-mail with reference and salary information.  And I waited...


September 20 - I sent a very short and professionally worded e-mail asking for a status update on the position and my candidacy.  And I waited...


September 30 - I met with the two colleagues within the organization who had recommended me for this position.  Both asked about the outcome and were disturbed by the fact that I hadn't heard back from the hiring manager after several attempts at communication.


Was I pretty sure I was no longer a contender?  Yes.  I was OK with the fact that things hadn't gone my way.  I wasn't and am still not OK with the lack of professional or personal courtesy in the way I was treated.
 
This type of behavior would not have been acceptable back when people communicated via typewritten letters.  Today, it's simply another sign of a rude job market.