Frustrated with HR Silence: Why Do Recruiters Leave Candidates Hanging Without Updates?

Hi all, First of all, no offense meant to any HR friends here. I am posting this out of curiosity as to why HRs behave in such an unprofessional way. Some of the highly reputed companies called me for a position open with them.

Case - 1:

One of the largest companies in the global PR industry - HR called me on October 4, 2012, and said they received my resume. The HR was quite energetic in their voice and sounded friendly too. I was informed of a telephonic interview at 11:00 AM on October 4, 2012, with the Project Manager.

On October 5, 2012, HR called me at 10:55 AM to check if I was ready. I confirmed my readiness. However, the Project Manager did not call at 11:00 AM as scheduled. Even after hours, there was no call. When I contacted the HR at 1:15 PM, they seemed unaware and mentioned they would check with the Manager but did not follow up further.

Case - 2:

One of the top global companies in the IT industry [consulting and service domain]... The HR contacted me on October 4, 2012, asking if I was still interested in the position. Despite a previous test, no further communication occurred. When I confirmed interest on October 4, 2012, I was assured of a call on October 5, 2012, but none came. Upon reaching out to the HR, I was told I would be called back, which did not happen.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND... Why do HRs act this way? If they have chosen another candidate, they could inform me directly. I would not react negatively. This lack of communication is a common experience for many candidates like me. It is unprofessional and rude to leave candidates in the dark without any updates.

Should I assume I am not selected?

Please clarify my concern so that in future instances, I can handle such situations better.

Awaiting your advice.

Thanks and Regards,

Kamal Raj

Dear Kamal Raj, Usually, it's not the rudeness or unprofessional behavior that leads to this situation. The fact is, HR professionals consider the humanitarian aspect of not causing hurt or humiliation. When HR directly informs you that someone else has been selected for the position, it can be demotivating. Upon hearing that someone else has been chosen, your curiosity is not satisfied; you seek further details. You want to understand why you weren't selected, why the other candidate was chosen, and what additional skills were required for the job, among other questions. However, HR may not be able to provide all these answers.

On the contrary, if HR states that they will revert to you later, you may wait for a couple of days, but eventually, you cease expecting the call, and your uncertainties fade away. You begin to disregard the situation.

Therefore, if a similar circumstance arises in the future, consider ignoring it and actively pursue other opportunities. I hope this clarifies your doubts!

Regards, Bharghavi

Thank you very much for your response and advice. You are right. Rejection, of course, has bad repercussions, but being in the dark, especially when a candidate is so hopeful of a position with a super big company, is weird. Of course, as time passes by with no communication, it is implied that someone else has taken my place.

Guess what, I was selected for the final round in a lead position with a so-called big name in the financial services domain. The HR again said I had come down for negotiation, and that's it, next day onwards, no calls. I had already cleared three rounds.

When I called the HR, do you know the reason I was told? I don't suit the profile completely because for the last six months, I have been in some other domain, although in the same profile. I have been in the same profile for the past 9 years. It's just that I changed the domain but not the industry or my career as a whole.

Doesn't the HR know that while they were interviewing and testing me for the last three rounds?

Anyways, I will definitely consider your point. I will call it quits and go for something else.

Thanks again. Cheers,

Regards, Kamal Raj

Good observations. HR is not a very professionally managed function in most companies. Citing reasons like 'not hurting you' is pretty unprofessional in my view!

European Practice in Recruitment

The European practice is that they send you an intimation stating that you have not been selected. Maintaining a good rapport with the potential employee is important and is a very strong marketing tool. When a company professionally performs its recruitment, it automatically improves its brand equity. The candidate or the joining employee feels motivated to work for such an organization.

Unfortunately, most HR folks like to take the laid-back alternative by giving excuses of 'not hurting people'! The corporate culture in India lacks that discrete, objective, and professional touch at times, and this is very organization-specific.

Challenges Faced by HR

More importantly, HR is taken for a ride by their internal customers at times. They have too much 'chaos' in their schedules, making it hard to provide the candidate with the right information. The only option they have is to wait until they have reasonably good info to communicate with the employee.

But yes, Bharghavi has a point... keep the search on :-)

Regards,
Nikhil

You are absolutely right. I have only seen very few companies do it. Westerners are criticized for their hippie or hyper-advanced culture, but the way they are organized in the professional world is amazing. I have worked in Ireland for some time and really loved working there. It is the best environment I have seen in my entire life.

Thank you for your reply and for sharing your experience.

Regards,
Kamal Raj