Why are people no shows to job interviews?

[Maleficent13]

I am in the midst of interviewing for an open position. Three of my candidates have just not bothered to show up without calling to let me know.

I don't get it.

 

[Evil Genius]

They didn't really want the job. They found another position. They couldn't find the office. None of these excuses the fact that they should have called you and canceled the appointment. They figure they will never see you again so why bother.

Sorry to hear your wasting your time on losers.

 

[Bob Slydell]

All I can think of is that they either thought twice about whether they wanted the job or they found something else.

Either way, though, simple common courtesy dictates that you at least call the company to let them know you're not coming.

 

[NMAmy]

I don't either. This always happens when we interview for an open position, too. If you're not interested, why set up the meeting? Just say thanks, but no thanks. And don't think I won't remember your name when you apply for another position, because I WILL!!

Aarrghh...

 

[Mishetta]

Lack of respect. Too much of that going around lately. (Go read my post about me causing my son to have detention in school!)

 

[dani0622]

I hate that as much as I hate the people we want to interview who never bother returning our HR dept.'s phone calls! Just like someone else said you better believe we remember. I have a file worth of five year's of applicants. I know exactly who never responded to calls and who never showed up for the interview. And, yes, we've had repeat applicants who fell in those two categories, so it helps. But still doesn't explain the lack of common courtesy.

 

[Sandy V.]

How rude. Whatever the reason for the no show, there is no excuse for the lack of common courtesy in not calling to let you know.

Unfortunately, many people (not all) are so wrapped up in themselves that they don't have the capacity to realize that their actions/inactions affect others.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I don't either. This always happens when we interview for an open position, too. If you're not interested, why set up the meeting? Just say thanks, but no thanks. And don't think I won't remember your name when you apply for another position, because I WILL!!

Aarrghh...

Exactly! My old job would write notes on the applications of those who didn't show. They were saved and checked over the years to see if they matched any of the new applications.

I have a question. Why do some kids apply for a retail job, want $9/hr, and want to only work 6 hour weeks and no weekends?

 

[Tracey1974]

Welcome to my life- I am a recruiter and that stuff happens all the time. With so many people out looking for jobs, some just don't feel the need to work. Why waste an open interview time when someone else could fill that spot and get the job? I understand that people get other job offers or reconsider the position but PLEASE call! It makes my job so much less stressful!

 

[Sandy V.]

I have a question. Why do some kids apply for a retail job, want $9/hr, and want to only work 6 hour weeks and no weekends?

Because they are VERY unrealistic about how the "real world" works. I have an 18-year old DD who is going through this. She's a senior and while she's at the top of her class academically, she lacks life skills. Going to college and being responsible for herself is going to be quite interesting to watch.

DH and I required her to get a part-time job after all college applications were submitted because while we're going to pay tuition and room and board, she's responsible for books and money for "fun". So she needed to start saving to build up her checking account.

She's now working 10-15 hours per week at a Levi's Outlet store and loves it. She wanted to pull the "I don't work weekends" routine, but the store nipped that in the bud. She was shocked that they wouldn't give her the schedule exactly as she wanted it.

 

[LukenDC]

I'm a human resources manager and no shows are a major problem with the blue collar positions that we hire for. I suspect that some of them forget about the interview, others may be on unemployment and are not serious about finding a job, and others are probably just lazy.

It is very rude and exasperating when candidates do not come to a scheduled interview. All they need to do is call and cancel the interview and I'll thank them and wish them luck. What's so hard about that?

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

She's now working 10-15 hours per week at a Levi's Outlet store and loves it. She wanted to pull the "I don't work weekends" routine, but the store nipped that in the bud. She was shocked that they wouldn't give her the schedule exactly as she wanted it.

From all the former and present retail managers. THANK YOU for not saying "oh that's ok sweetie, we'll just call you in sick, or I'll talk to your boss. Weekends are our family time and there's no reason you should have to work them when your dad and I don't".

 

[Sandy V.]

From all the former and present retail managers. THANK YOU for not saying "oh that's ok sweetie, we'll just call you in sick, or I'll talk to your boss. Weekends are our family time and there's no reason you should have to work them when your dad and I don't".

You are welcome - glad to do it! It's crucial that she learns that the tail doesn't wag the dog. Or, as DisneyDoll's signature says, "Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child."

It was very important to us that she get this job on her own and learn how to KEEP it. There are just some skills and hard knocks that you need to learn all by yourself without Mom and Dad leading the way.

 

[Jillpie]

I can't even imagine why they wouldn't show up. I do wonder what kind of position this is, because my DH was out of work 3 years ago and he would have given his eye teeth for even a phone call for awhile there! Never mind an actual interview (he's a computer PA and there were no jobs back then). I have to ask a question of HR and the person who does the interviews though...do you have any idea what it is like for those that are waiting so patiently for that phone to ring how hard that is at home?? Why don't you call back when you say that you are interested? Or to the headhunters, why don't you call back and give us an update on the search that you told him is going great? He did find the job that is perfect for him finally and is very happy, but boy we'll never forget waiting for an interview and phone call. It was an extremely difficult time. So again, what type of position is this that someone would just blow off like that?

 

[LukenDC]

Jillpie, I would love to give a personal response to every person who applies for a job, but I simply do not have the time. I work for a nonprofit charity and I am the only HR professional on staff. Not only do I have to handle recruiting and sift through thousands of resumes annually, I also have to handle employee relations, compensation, benefits, and myriad legal issues. I was a job seeker myself at one time and I do understand that the process is tense and often frustrating. Certainly more downs than ups.

The position that I recruit for with the most no shows is a delivery driver position. Approximately 25% of candidates offered an interview fail to show up or even call to say that they won't be coming.

 

[Maleficent13]

I am currently hiring for an entry level office clerical postion.

I do make sure that I go through every resume and send letters to those I do not call thanking them for their interest. Those I interview that I do not choose, I send letters thanking them for their time. I try not to leave anyone hanging, ever. I know it's rough.

 

[gina2000]

My husband is experiencing quite the opposite. He is looking for a job and he's been interviewed, sent thank you notes and never even hears from the company again. That stinks. The last interview was a doozy, however. He was brought in, talked to by upper management for 3 hours, never met HR and was told that if he didn't hear from HR within 3 weeks, to call. He called them to find out that the firm was taking the job in an entirely different direction. They knew it when he took the day off from work, spent 3 hours interviewing and the couple of weeks afterwards he waited. They hounded him for the interview. They called him a few times trying to set up the interview. And that's how he was treated.

Maybe HR departments need to look at how they treat prospective employees. While I'm sure you are not guilty of this sort of behavior, it's become a very sore spot around here.

 

[MickeysMommy]

People are just rude!

 

[Maleficent13]

Well, I'm not HR and glad I am of it!! I don't have a lot of respect for my HR department...that's why I do all my own hiring.

 

[LukenDC]

Those I interview that I do not choose, I send letters thanking them for their time.

I ALWAYS contact people whom I've interviewed to let them know how the process is coming along and whether or not they have been selected for additional interviews.