canadian_critic

Actually you do raise an interesting point, about the "power trip". Perhaps it's because of the sycophantic nature of applicants, the number of applicants per position, the fact that it's more challenging to get a job nowadays, or whatever. Recruiters often seem to bask in the small opportunity of power they are given. It's a bad strategy though, because if they are an internal recruiter, they may not make the hiring decisions, and end up having daily contact with someone they treated like shite during the interview process.

The first time I was 'part' of a decision team on a new hire, I was showered with gifts and cards from the candidates. I've heard that this is the done thing in North America, but I see straight through it, and in fact take exception to it. It's a bit insulting really, as it kind of suggests that I'm the kind of person to be lulled by such gestures. Oh what the hell, you're hired and bring another 2 boxes of those when you start.

julius smith

hear, hear, alan!

its just one of those things in the usa and generally in north america...nobody thinks its necessary to reply.

whether or not its due to business practices, i dont know and wouldnt hazard to guess, but could it be...possibly, that the uk is a teeny-weeny bit more politer (!)?

i know, i know, before i get my head bitten off, again, its getting to be the case in the uk too nowadays, where you have to ask for a response..its not automatic.

i dont know....take the case for courtesies...in the uk when a motorist stops for you, either if youre at a crossing or to let your car pass in a narrow street, its kinda automatic, and accepted behaviour to raise a hand in thanks to the other guy, or at least flash your lights...but in canada, i dont think i ever saw that....i even tried it myself when motorists stopped for me to let me cross, in a mall car park etc, and i thanked them, and they just looked at me as if was a weirdo or something...or may be itwas just me....

in a nutshell, i got my job there by cold calling, ie dropping off my cv to every company in a certain area....i had applied by email as well, but like all the respondents on here, it never got anywhere...!

could have been just luck...but hey, in my books, youve got to make your own luck....!

anyway, any QA jobs going anywhere at all pls....

Aviator

One cannot help but wonder, after several thousand views, a hundred or more replies of varying degrees of usefulness, if anything has or will change?

Debating the issue is pointless unless you are in a position to make or influence a change or get yourself into a position to make a change.

When you go to work today or this week, would you go the HR or the person responsible for hiring and make your views known and stand up for your views where it counts? Would you be prepared to risk your job for what you believe strongly about? If applying for a job, would you let a prospective employer know how rude you think it is not to reply?

Being indignant on a website will make no difference.

Tangram

You just defined internet forums.... time for everyone to go home.... or out.

Auld Yin

I've heard that this is the done thing in North America, but I see straight through it, and in fact take exception to it. It's a bit insulting really, as it kind of suggests that I'm the kind of person to be lulled

And who is you've heard this from? Is it one person, one thousand people or tens of thousands of people? I have been responsible, over the years, for hiring many people from middle management to executive level and never once have I encountered such behavior. It probably exists in isolation but it is not the done thing in North America, IMO.
These "I have heard" generalizations serve no-one.

Tangram

Why you didn't get the job

Blendin

It's been a couple of days since receiving an email from the HR manager for a position I applied, he stated if I was interested in speaking further about the role and whether I was comfortable with the salary.

I emailed him that I was interested, but did not hear back. Is it too early or shall I just move on ?

Aviator

You may hear back you may not. Without being in the head of the HR person you'll never know. They may have sent the same e-mail to 20 others as well, we could speculate all day (but we won't).

Keep looking, don't sit and wait for one job, if you find another and get two offers you can take your pick. If you wait, you'll be the only loser.

el_richo

I'm very sorry to inform you on a public forum but i'm afraid you didn't get the job

Thank you for applying and they will keep your records on file should a suitable position arise.

the undutchables

I found it is just their way. If you don't hear after a reasonable time, I would contact them again, or if the job is still advertised, send in another application.

I find Canadian employers not rude exactly, it seems that if you are not what they are looking for, they just dismiss your application without so much as a thanks, but no thanks, or a sorry, you weren't successful this time.

I run my own company in Calgary, and I sub contract to larger companies, and the company I currently have a contract with, I submitted an application 4 times before I got a reply ( and the contract)
They said my application stood out as it kept reappearing every other week!

I guess if a company has 50 to 100 applications for one job, it takes a bit of time to contact all the unsuccessful applications, but it is frustrating not hearing anything. I wouldn't worry about companies not hiring you for annoying them, in my experience persistence pays off, and is sometimes admired by Canadian employers.

I have also found that a British, or in my case Scottish, accent, does go a long way in Canada. You will stand out and be remembered if nothing else!

Good luck, and just keep plugging away!

Blendin

Agree.
I applied for the position last Thursday and got his email this Monday.
I guess I am not used to a "follow-up" email to check if I am comfortable with the salary and interested in speaking further about the position.

Usually, it's either a rejection, interview or no reply.