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Beth

Talent Cultivator. Doer.

12/18/20 at 3:26PM UTC

Career

100+ Qualified candidates

Can someone please help me understand why employers think it is kind, respectful and helpful to be told that I am ONE of 100+ candidates? How is that supposed to make me feel? Clearly, the odds of getting this job decreases with more promising candidates. Oh! Wait! Does it make delivering the unfortunate news that I did not get the job easier FOR THE EMPLOYER? Is there a HR nuance here that I do not understand? How can we help the universe by explaining this is just not helping!? Looking for work right now is terribly demoralizing. Knowing that I was one of so many feels hopeless and frustrating. I'm looking for an accountable, direct employer who will simply say, "Thank you for YOUR interest, at this time, what you bring to the table does not match our need." Discuss.

4 Comments

Fanni Gabor

Life & Career Coach I Recruiter

12/18/20 at 3:38PM UTC

You nailed it, no nuance, it's easier for the HR person - and often comes from a good place too, trying to deliver the message of "it's not you, nothing you did wrong, it was a very tough decision, lot of great qualified candidates...." Remember, if he/she had to deliver this message to all the 100+ people, that makes both of you in this equation miserable. It's the same message as your preferred "at this time, what you bring does not match our need" and the responses will vary (including the worst option, silence and ghosting...) You can't control their response, only your own reactions and actions: what you take with you and what you choose to leave behind. Onwards! They're just one of a 100 companies you're considering too. ;)

1 Reply

Beth

Talent Cultivator. Doer.

12/18/20 at 3:41PM UTC

Excellent point. I think at this stage, it is difficult to remember that they would be quite lucky to have ME. Thank you for the positive spin and validation.

Anonymous

12/18/20 at 8:05PM UTC

Coming from a recruiter I know this can be/feel like straight up disrespect. However, though I have never told anyone an exact number of applicants I know I have let them know there is a high volume to set the expectations that it won't be a quick process. Usually handling up to 20 roles at a time and I know it makes it even more difficult and confusing when candidates don't hear from me and inadvertently slow the process down even more by continually checking in with me. The more time I spend responding to them the less time I have to complete the process.

Anonymous

12/19/20 at 8:55PM UTC

As someone else said, it's more about setting expectations - For you, you need to be aware that it is going to be a slow process with a lot of people being culled from the group. You also need to know that yes, the chances of securing the job are possibly less than if the job only had 5 applicants. You also need to be aware that the rep may not be able to chat with you frequently or may rely on form emails to convey information because they are potentially doing so for 100 other applications as well.