Comments on: Was I passively rejected?

By: Simon Barry

Simon Barry — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:49:35 +0000

In reply to Marsh. It's always interesting to see how to get that extra piece of information out of a person to tick all the boxes for an interview. On my last phone interview I got a similar question at the end, I already had the why do you want to join us, your motives at the start, but at the very end they asked in a way where I had to express myself in much less of a corporate way.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 01:15:01 +0000

Wow – it’s funny because everything everyone said seems right on. I’m hoping that they meant something like what Marsh said above. I can’t believe the number of job applicants we’ve had who seem like they don’t care less whether they work there or not. In that case, they are just looking for you to “pursue” them. But it could be what Stefanie said too, which is kind of freaky. If you do go onsite for a second interview, I would pay close attention to the company culture to see. Honestly, I don’t think she was blowing you off – she wouldn’t have said that she would schedule a second interview with you if she didn’t want you to come back….

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 21:10:52 +0000

In reply to stefanie. This is a very interesting thought. I wonder if it was a,warning. Stay away!!!!

By: Marsh

Marsh — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:09:16 +0000

While I don’t agree with the word choices the recruiter used, they probably only want to consider those candidates truly jazzed about the job for the role. I use this method (totally different wording) when I feel that the applicant is either using the open position as a short-term band aid remedy while they look for something they think is better, or if they seem bored or disinterested. Yes, we don’t want just warm bodies, but those who roll out of bed and actually want to be there and are excited for the opportunity. I’ve been hiring for 17 years.

By: stefanie

stefanie — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:40:54 +0000

I think it sounds like you applied for a crappy job or a crappy company and the recruiter maybe was trying to tell you this through the conversation and asking you to read betw4een the lines. I’m a 16 year recruiter.

By: Andrew_M_Garland

Andrew_M_Garland — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:51:28 +0000

“Dwell on our conversation” usually applies to thinking about criticism. Not a good sign. “Email me to talk further” inserts a delay into the process. Not a good sign; it tells the applicant not to call.

If I had to choose between following up on this company or another one, I would pick the other one. But, having plenty of time, if the applicant likes the company, then there is little to lose in following up. Companies are crazy about interviewing and hiring.

By: Nicholas MOSES

Nicholas MOSES — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:04:36 +0000

I had an interview like this about a year and a half ago. In my case I think the recruiter suspected I was having doubts about whether this was a good fit for me, even though my CV, application and profile had been highly interesting to them. Ultimately I told them that I appreciated the interview – and I certainly did, and I was impressed with the company – but I felt it was best I looked elsewhere. (Looking at where I am now, I know I definitely made the right decision.)

Basically, I think Evil HR Lady nailed it right on the head. I would take it one step further and suggest that, so far as your interactions with recruiters go, you should take their words at face value. Not that there are never hidden meanings, but you need to show that you are sincere and straightforward and don’t play games with words or try to “improvise” or “cowboy” your way through things. Living in a country (France) where everything is so codified and bureaucratized, I have witnessed how knowing how to stick to the letter of things can save one’s neck, legally and professionally, on a number of occasions.

By: Harrow

Harrow — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:44:39 +0000

You also must consider if you want to work at a place where people are encouraged or even allowed to use the word “dwell”.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:06:32 +0000

If you’re truly interested in the job, being asked to “dwell” is redundant. While I don’t care for the phraseology used, I think it is a good thing, too. What I might think about is that something must have been said or a tone or inflection that brought a doubt to the interviewer’s mind. I.E. “Why don’t you think about it and if you’re truly interested, call us back.” Another possibility might be that the interviewer is inexperienced and uses that with all candidates. But while it strikes me as a good thing, it comes off as strange.

By: Karla F

Karla F — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 15:47:12 +0000

Could it be that the position was at a lower level and they wanted to know if the person would be interested in a “step down”?
Or they wanted to gauge the interest level.