Do you believe modern employers have lost their sense of courtesy?

Question

Rant:

How many times after a job interview have you heard: "We'll get back to you" and then never receive a call back? Or "your resume is impressive, you'd definitely be a good candidate" and then they chose another candidate. I feel as though this is the current trend and there is no hope in site. Why say something you don't mean?

I am well aware you must be persistent with prospective employers and send thank you letters and even call them- but there comes a point when it's just a turn off for HR. Courtesy and manners seem to be missing in the modern work world and there is no hope in site. How depressing.

There was a time when people would actually keep to their word and actually "get back to you" or at least let you know your status. Seems like all you get now are emails with terrible grammatical errors and people who don't want to talk to you on the phone. Scary times.

Answer 1

I think most employers have lost their courtesy totally. When they say "We'll get back at you", you are hoping to get some kind of a phone call like in 3 or 4 business working days at the maximum. But if they don't call you, you're like all upset because they never followed their word.

I've got so used to their rubbish ways of speaking that I don't even care what they say anymore. I really don't. All I care is when someone calls me and says "We're offering you a job, will you accept it?" Then, i would probably accept it.

Hope that answers.

Answer 2

Nothing new about this- I graduated from college in 1980 and it happened back then too- lots of times.  I think you are leaving out part of the equation-  "we'll get back to you" meaning, "if we are prepared to offer you a job".  They certainly aren't going to call every Tom, d**k and Harry and say, "So sorry we're going in another direction".

And telling you you're a good candidate?  Maybe you are, but the next guy was even better.  Sure it's nerve-wracking to job hunt, but you sound like a bit of a cry baby.

Answer 3

They have no manners or even basic courtesy which is why I gave up on doing it myself and signed up at several employment agencies and posted my resume on monster.com. Not worth the aggravation.

Answer 4

Yes, we are lost in the system. They are under-investing in important things and they assume the turnover of staff will be massive. It's become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Treat employees like dirt and there is a high turnover. Invest properly, and they will retain numbers. They don't care about us at all, they want us to work like dogs for low wages that aren't based on standard of living. So they sit in cushy offices and make massive bonues.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, many of these people are overworked and understaffed perpetually. While they mean well, they just don't have the time to notify all the candidates—which may be a lot, considering the state of the economy and the job market. I would consider myself lucky to get some kind of automated acknowledgment.

But aside from that, a lot of them do lie when they tell you they are impressed with your resume and considering you for the job. Lying to your employees and prospective employees, your customers, your vendors, the media, and government regulators is just considered part of the job nowadays in business management.