Curious About the Recruitment Process: My Unexpected Experience
Hello everyone,
I’m seeking some clarity regarding my recent experience with a recruitment process, as I’m a bit puzzled about what’s happening.
I applied for two roles at a remote company. I received a rejection for one the very next day, but thankfully, I was invited for an interview for the second position, which I was excited about.
I went through three interviews, including a significant presentation that required a lot of time and research on my part. The last interview took place two weeks ago, and I felt it went reasonably well. I noticed that the hiring manager mentioned they were having difficulties with their recruitment, which I thought might work in my favor. During that interview, they told me to expect feedback by the end of last week, as there were still a few candidates to interview. That was perfectly fine with me.
Fast forward a week and a half, and I decided to send a polite follow-up email to the in-house recruiter, curious about when I might hear back. I noticed they were posting a lot of new job listings, which made me think they might be quite busy. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a response. To top it off, the job advertisement I applied for was taken down shortly after, either just before or after my email.
Feeling a bit frustrated by the lack of communication, I reached out again yesterday, this time addressing the recruiter and the two managers I had interacted with throughout the process. It was a lengthy but polite email inquiring about an update and expressing my need for clarity since I was waiting on other job offers. I apologized for the follow-up, but my frustration was growing.
Still, no replies from any of the three recipients.
Then, late last night, I noticed that the job listing was reposted, albeit with a slightly altered title but otherwise identical.
Can anyone shed some light on this situation?
If I wasn’t selected, why not just send a rejection email? They appear to be using an applicant tracking system, so it shouldn’t be complicated.
If I was selected, what’s with the delay and the reposting of the position?
And if there’s something else going on, why no response from any of the three individuals I contacted?
RCadmin
It sounds like you’ve been through a frustrating process, and I can understand your desire for clarity. Here are a few potential insights into what might be happening from a recruitment perspective:
Internal Delays: Sometimes, the hiring process can be delayed due to internal discussions, budgeting issues, or unforeseen circumstances. Even if they seemed keen during the interview, internal dynamics can shift.
Reposting the Role: Reposting the job can signal several things: they may have decided to broaden the search after struggling to find the right candidate, they might be facing changing priorities, or they’re still actively seeking candidates while delaying communication with you.
Ghosting: While it’s not ideal, “ghosting” can happen in recruitment. Recruiters and hiring managers are often overwhelmed with applicants and may inadvertently overlook communication, especially if they’re handling multiple roles at once.
ATS Limitations: As you mentioned, if they are using an Applicant Tracking System, it could lead to communication breakdowns. It’s possible your application status is stuck in limbo, or the system hasn’t generated the rejection response yet.
Holding Offers: If they know you are waiting on other offers, they may be hesitant to reject you outright, hoping to keep you in consideration until they finalize their decision. This can create an awkward limbo for you, frustrating as it may be.
Company Culture: Some companies have a less formal approach to applicant communications. They might prioritize filling the role over straightforward communication, particularly if there are multiple candidates under consideration.
While waiting is difficult and frustrating, all you can do is remain patient for a little while longer and continue pursuing other opportunities in the meantime. It’s totally reasonable to expect a response, so if you get a rejection, at least you’ll have clarity moving forward. Best of luck!