Hi Lisa,

Sorry about the job. But OTOH, I highly recommend self-employment. :-)

I've been on the "hiring manager" side of this discussion for about 12
years now. A couple of points:

* I agree that the employer should respond. I just filled a position and
spent quite some time sending rejection letters.

* It's annoying, though, to have to waste my time sending a rejection
letter to someone who was completely unqualified for the position and
who clearly just spammed every job at Monster hoping for a random hit.
Our requirements clearly stated that the candidate had to be local and
that we wouldn't work with agencies. We also wanted tech writing and
project management experience. I got non-local candidates, agencies,
non-tech writers, and people without any project management experience.
Some resumes scored "all of the above." Did they even READ the job
description?

* I do NOT want follow-up phone calls. They put me on the spot, and they
are extremely awkward. (What's a polite way of saying, "Well, we're
talking to X, but if she doesn't work out, we'll take another look at
you"?) I'm OK with follow-up email.

* I think that people we interview deserve more information/feedback
than people who send resumes. That is, if we thought you were
interesting/qualified enough to bring you in for an interview, then I'm
*much* more likely to talk with you about where we are in the process
and/or whether you're still in the running.

* My rejection letters are unbelievably vague. "blah blah
better-qualified candidate blah blah" But I assume that the candidates
would rather get some information ("we're not hiring you") as opposed to
complete silence.

John Garison wrote:
> Question: Should I call the potential employers and ask where things
>  stand?

My answer is no. Perhaps an email.

If you know the hiring manager personally, then maybe yes.

I wouldn't construe it as desperation, but I would probably not
appreciate it very much. (Except in your case. Feel free to call me
anytime. <g>)

Do you know *anyone* inside the organization? I'd try informal channels
if you have them...

Regards

Sarah

-- 
###################################################################
Sarah O'Keefe                           [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scriptorium Publishing Services, Inc.   http://www.scriptorium.com
Blog: http://www.scriptorium.com/palimpsest/


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