Reasons an Employer Hasn't Called Back After a Job Interview

8 Reasons Hiring Managers Haven't Called Back

January 23, 2013

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It's one thing when you don't receive a reply from an employer after sending your resume and cover letter, but things get more personal when you don't hear back after a job interview. Waiting for a response is stressful and it's easy to let your mind run wild when coming up with reasons the employer hasn't called. Was it your hair? Should you have answered a certain question differently? Put the kabosh on your what-if thought process; usually an employer hasn't called back due to one of these eight reasons.

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9 Comments

OhPear 46 weeks 3 days

I am getting snarky now because there is no reason to treat anyone, esp in a time of need, with disrespect. I just had an interview. It was all hunky dory then I heard absolutely nothing after a few calls. So I left them a snarky message that professionalism cuts both ways and not getting back to people either way is disrespectful and lazy on their part and I don't want to work for them anyway. To any and all employers reading this, you will get the kind of employees that reflect how you treated them so don't complain about your high turnover! It's probably your fault.

3 years 12 weeks

It is one thing if you apply for a job and hear nothing back, but it is another if you have an interview and then the employer does not contact you after the interview, I interviewed with a law library in Detroit, was told by the interviewer that they would get back to me in a week or two, two months later I still had not heard a thing. If the employer had told me to call them I would have but they said they were to get back to me. After two months of no contact I withdrew my application, as attractive as the job was I have no desire to work for an organization that thinks so little of people that it can not demonstrate basic manners and extend a little bit of courtesy to job candidates. It is astonishing to me, I interviewed for a professional position that required a master's degree and a law degree and they gave me the bum's rush, not even an e-mail blowing me off. I realize it is a buyer's market, and all, but that is no excuse for being that rude. When the economy turns around employers like that will have a desperately hard time finding qualified help.

Amiles369 3 years 32 weeks

I am currently one of the many job seekers. I read this article and I agree with quite a bit of it. I also wanted to thank you guys for your comments. I have never really had a problem getting a job, as long as I can get the actual interview. My issue right now is that no ones calling me. Maybe one or two , but I have been looking since May of this year. I am becoming increasing frustrated. I am trying really hard to stay positive. Just recently I was working with a Temp service whom put me up for a job, they had me test for it, and then the last step was they wanted to a credit check. Well , the credit check was a bust, which made me ineligible for the job... I think it really sucks that companies wont hiring you because you don't have stellar credit. How the heck are you suppose to repair your credit if you cant even get a job? And further more , what does that has to do with your job performance. I realize I made mistakes earlier in life , and I take total blame. But I don't feel like when it comes to getting a job you should be penalized for it. Get enough of that already. I am very peeved , hurt and offended. But yet i remain positive that i will get something.

cheekyredhead 3 years 33 weeks

When I interview people who are not selected and they bother to call me and ask if there was training lacking or any pointers they could glean from that interview to help them in the future I am honest with them. It is important for someone to know that perhaps they just needed to update a skill to make themselves more marketable or the red plaid socks was perhaps a bad choice. I have been in a situation simlar to #5, 8 interviews, flown in to be introduced to everyone, shown the entire facility and the flown home to get a "sorry we picked someone else" message on my machine...date and time stamped two hours before I left. What did I do wrong? I was astounded. The bottom line was I was considered too old. Of course that is illegal and I had to swear on several bibles I wouldn't sue---but I had to know. I am lucky they bothered to tell me. I can't change my age--but a firm that won't hire me based on that I wouldn't want to work for anyway. Many qualified applicants never make it to my desk because they don't use simple key works used to screen them.

3 years 34 weeks

I think this topic is more about not hearing back after an actual interview, not just sending in a resume. Recently my fiance went on multiple interviews at a bank. He met with five different people over the course of two different days, was there for hours, was introduced to the president of the bank, followed up with thank you letters, and he never heard anything back. I just think that is wrong. People may be shotgunning resumes, but I think part of that is due to the economy. Of course they should make sure they send in a cover letter and know what the job entails. I doubt people are doing it just for unemployment requirements.

3 years 34 weeks

Bob, thanks for pointing out the automated email response that HR software can send to applicants stating that a position has been filled and that this feature just has to be turned on. These HR departments do not realize that they are communicating with potential customers for their organization. When I experience this rude treatment, my family, friends, and I do not do business with these organization--I seek out their competitors.

3 years 34 weeks

I have looked at alot of resumes over the last few months, literally hundreds. The main reason I will not call back is because it seems as though applicants are somehow shotgunning the app.s and the help wanted ad is never even read. Ninety percent of the app.s I get, the senders have no idea what they are even applying for. If the individual cannot even read what I'm looking for, well, guess what, no one will hire them. Show a little effort that you at least are aware of what the job entails, and customize the resume accordingly. I suppose one reason for this is to satisfy the unemployment people, but what are you going to do when that runs out?

3 years 34 weeks

the least any company should do as common courtesy is to inform the candidate, even if its a automated system email, that he/she is no longer being considered. its a basic and very common courtesy. Most HR resume tracking systems companies use today have provision to send automated emails once a position is closed but companies dont activate the feature. I think its rude not to do so.

3 years 34 weeks

I have about 3 months of experience with job hunting. I am working with 3 companies. One important thing to remember is there are so many resumes going to them they are overloaded to the extent that they are confused themselves. I am in constant contact with one HR manager and he is having a hard time getting the jobs posted and and follow up to see if they are cancelled or still active. His crew is also having a hard time posting weather or not you are pending review, on review or no longer a candidate. This recession is not only effecting the economy, but also affecting HR personal who are not able to keep up with the high volume.