As you know, typically my posts involve everything networking: networking events, networking tips, and my insights into networking in general. However, today I stumbled across this article, which is written as advice to recruiters and in-house HR departments. This struck a cord with me. As a past job-seeker, I too have a standing negative impression from a potential employer by their failure to remember me after an interview. The notions of courtesy that are stressed in this article run true in every facet of your career. I'm reminded of Robert Fulghum's book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten." (It's been so long since I've read that book that I have no clue whether or not that reference is even appropriate, but at least the title is so go with me).
Since I began my "grown-up" career after law school, I can't tell you how many times this situation has happened to me. Admittedly, many of those times, I was probably underqualified for a position I applied for. I was likely either a law student, or a recent graduate looking for employment with little to no experience. That being said, I was surprised and somewhat insulted when this happened to me recently during my job search when I decided to relocate from Chicago to Cleveland.
I interviewed at a handful of law firms in Cleveland for a lateral hire position during my search. The firms ranged from big law, midsize, and small firms. One of the firms, which will remain unnamed, did just what this article describes. After I traveled from Chicago for an legitimate interview with the heads of the practice group I was seeking to join, I never heard another word. I became a forgotten candidate. My practice was not an exact match for the position, but that does not excuse the lack of courtesy following the interview. I really appreciated the opportunity, regardless of whether I believed it was a good fit. I sent thank yous expressing my appreciation, only to receive no response and to never be notified of the results of the interview.
Unfortunately, I agree with the author of this article. From my experience, I believe there is currently a culture in career recruiting where it's acceptable, if not the norm, to forget about every candidate as soon as it's determined they are no longer useful, no longer a potential hire. This defies logic and defies notions of common courtesy.
With the influx of applications and resumes received for every open position nowadays, I admit it's easy to do this. However, like the author, I believe this is a problem. Something as simple as a follow up can avoid forever tarnishing a company's image to a person who is most likely an eventual competitor. So I guess my thought for the day is to remember those things you learned in kindergarten. Courtesy and thoughtfulness go a long way in the development and maturity of a career.
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