Potential bosses – please show a little courtesy

Tuesday 2nd February 2010, 3:00PM GMT.

From Jacquie Stroud.
I FELT that I had to write a letter with regard to job applications and about the lack of respect for people taking the time and energy to write or email for a position advertised.

My daughter has applied to more than 20 positions that have been advertised and has made a great deal of effort updating her CV and writing polite, concise letters to prospective employers over the past three months. She has received only two replies.

She has also back-tracked on occasions and asked what was happening to some of them, and has been told: ‘Oh, the job’s been filled. But they never bother to even advise of this.

This is a disgraceful practice. Employers need to realise that it is good customer service to acknowledge applications. If they can’t get this right, how do they expect their staff to deal with customers?

It is time something was done to remind these people that each application should be given time and effort and that replies are courteous when someone has taken the time to actually apply and wants to work for them.

1
Steve

February 2, 2010 at 5:21 pm

While I understand the point, the fact is that those employers who are advertising employment are being inundated with applicants – not only ones applicable to the position, but virtually everyone looking for a job – which is understandable.

Its tough answering 100 applications…

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2
Nathan Jordan

February 2, 2010 at 11:45 pm

…and prospective employees are not customers, there’s no room for self pity in the job market, she needs to keep on applying!

NJ.

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3
Carts

February 3, 2010 at 9:13 am

Too much trouble to respond to an application? Why not publish a small advert in the JEP then, thanking applicants and advising them that the position is now closed or that the comapny is not currently hiring? Must be worth a 3 minute phone call to the classifieds and a couple of quid to maintain your brand image and customer relationships.

Today’s ignored applicant won’t be tomorrows customer!

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4
J Lamborrari

February 3, 2010 at 11:20 am

I’ve applied for plenty of jobs, and not recieved any responses; one of the few employers that always responds is the States, but to be honest it makes little difference to get an automated reply or none at all.

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5
Nathan Jordan

February 3, 2010 at 11:58 pm

I’ll be frank with you Carts I don’t have a lot of sympathy. I spent the best part of six months jobseeking in Jersey and plenty of times I sent off e-mails or faxes without receiving a response. Obviously it behoves anyone looking for work to persevere and use local recruiters who can do some of the work for you.

Also, if you feel particularly aggrieved you can always call the employer before applying and ask if the position is taken. If you don’t hear back from them having done so, obviously they’re not interested in hiring you for the position – there’s no room for ego, you just have to keep trying! NJ.

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