British Expats

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-   -   Riddle me this (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/riddle-me-797139/)

MillieF May 15th 2013 1:16 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 
I have 'temped' as the spotty work exp oik, since arriving in Canada, whose sole job was to reply to unsuccessful work applicants...my respect however, for the companies that took the trouble to say No Thank You was, and is,vast.

januarymix May 15th 2013 6:26 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 10709742)
Canadian business protocol as with social protocol is generally much more casual. No matter how friendly or genuine someone appears to be, it's better to take it with a grain of salt until (and if) you really know that person.

OK, another thing to get used to and learn (When I say something, I generally mean it and do it...so old fashioned! :frown:) :)

januarymix May 15th 2013 6:27 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 10709919)
Point is they can behave when its important to them. :)

~That is true of almost everyone, I think. But that is not a good standard IMO. Disappointing, but accepted. :thumbup:

R I C H May 15th 2013 7:08 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by ExKiwilass (Post 10709711)
but she's a senior exec, no? I think the rules change at that level.

Not in my experience. I went for an interview recently in Vancouver, which is around 8 hours driving round trip, so involves considerable time and effort. Spent 3 hours being interviewed by the CEO, Chairman and 2 VPs. All very cordial and friendly.

I followed up with a thank you for your time and the opportunity, look forward to hearing from you sort of email. No response. Follow up voicemails x2. No response. I don't mind a thanks, but no thanks reply, but no feedback at all after being short listed is pretty poor, and unfortunately reflects badly on them IMO.

Shard May 15th 2013 7:58 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by R I C H (Post 10710293)
Not in my experience. I went for an interview recently in Vancouver, which is around 8 hours driving round trip, so involves considerable time and effort. Spent 3 hours being interviewed by the CEO, Chairman and 2 VPs. All very cordial and friendly.

I followed up with a thank you for your time and the opportunity, look forward to hearing from you sort of email. No response. Follow up voicemails x2. No response. I don't mind a thanks, but no thanks reply, but no feedback at all after being short listed is pretty poor, and unfortunately reflects badly on them IMO.

The could still be considering you or have someone else on whom they are awaiting a response. Nevertheless, if you left a direct request for an update via voicemail, it's pretty poor form.

SchnookoLoly May 15th 2013 9:08 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 
I think it's just variable. I've applied for a few jobs online, and for three of them I've gotten a response back thanking me for my interest but I have not been selected for the position. And all these postings were ones that had the small print of "only candidates who have been selected will be contacted".

A few years ago, my brother interviewed with the company I work for (in another division). He went for two interviews, then had radio silence. He followed up twice and had no response. I tried emailing, no response. I had one of the head partners follow up, no response.

Some people are just douchebags, and some people are very nice. It's entirely variable.

I think the moral of the story is to expect them all to be douchebags, and then just be pleasantly surprised at the handful who turn out to actually be humans. :)

januarymix May 15th 2013 9:23 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly (Post 10710465)
I think the moral of the story is to expect them all to be douchebags, and then just be pleasantly surprised at the handful who turn out to actually be humans. :)

Gawd... viva la Canada :frown: But OK a good strategy ;)

januarymix May 15th 2013 9:26 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by R I C H (Post 10710293)
Not in my experience. I went for an interview recently in Vancouver, which is around 8 hours driving round trip, so involves considerable time and effort. Spent 3 hours being interviewed by the CEO, Chairman and 2 VPs. All very cordial and friendly.

I followed up with a thank you for your time and the opportunity, look forward to hearing from you sort of email. No response. Follow up voicemails x2. No response. I don't mind a thanks, but no thanks reply, but no feedback at all after being short listed is pretty poor, and unfortunately reflects badly on them IMO.

Rich, sorry to hear that. And hopefully they will come back with a positive answer.

Your situation reminded me of mine (yours is worse of course) I just found it baffling that they would not simply answer. Isn't that easier?..I have worked in quite a few countries but this is actually completely new to me (OK yes, yes it is sinking in :thumbup:)

I wonder if it is something to do with that they have such little respect for candidates (that big a pool of fish to pick from) and/or that they are 'supposed' to be nice/polite people, and would only serve good news?

Anyway I am sorry to hear of that. Best of luck in your search.

floatsy

Shard May 15th 2013 9:39 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by floatsy (Post 10710500)
Rich, sorry to hear that. And hopefully they will come back with a positive answer.

Your situation reminded me of mine (yours is worse of course) I just found it baffling that they would not simply answer. Isn't that easier?..I have worked in quite a few countries but this is actually completely new to me (OK yes, yes it is sinking in :thumbup:)

I wonder if it is something to do with that they have such little respect for candidates (that big a pool of fish to pick from) and/or that they are 'supposed' to be nice/polite people, and would only serve good news?

Anyway I am sorry to hear of that. Best of luck in your search.

floatsy

It's not uncommon in the UK these days. As Schnook said, the best thing is set your expectation (of employer contact) low, and then be pleasantly surprised when they respond.

Mikeypm May 15th 2013 10:04 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 10710520)
It's not uncommon in the UK these days. As Schnook said, the best thing is set your expectation (of employer contact) low, and then be pleasantly surprised when they respond.

+1 I live by that mantra, I expect very little and then when it works out well its a bonus :)

R I C H May 16th 2013 2:07 am

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 10710356)
The could still be considering you or have someone else on whom they are awaiting a response. Nevertheless, if you left a direct request for an update via voicemail, it's pretty poor form.

I think after 6 weeks without contact the opportunity has passed.

ExKiwilass May 16th 2013 2:19 am

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by R I C H (Post 10710293)
Not in my experience. I went for an interview recently in Vancouver, which is around 8 hours driving round trip, so involves considerable time and effort. Spent 3 hours being interviewed by the CEO, Chairman and 2 VPs. All very cordial and friendly.

I followed up with a thank you for your time and the opportunity, look forward to hearing from you sort of email. No response. Follow up voicemails x2. No response. I don't mind a thanks, but no thanks reply, but no feedback at all after being short listed is pretty poor, and unfortunately reflects badly on them IMO.

sounds like a crap company anyway.

IMO, stupidly short-sighted on their part. What if they wanted to hire you later? idiots.

Almost Canadian May 16th 2013 2:32 am

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by ExKiwilass (Post 10711077)
sounds like a crap company anyway.

IMO, stupidly short-sighted on their part. What if they wanted to hire you later? idiots.

It's the Canadian way is it not?

From what others have said above, locals would just accept it as par for the course. I agree with you, though.

ExKiwilass May 16th 2013 2:50 am

Re: Riddle me this
 

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian (Post 10711094)
It's the Canadian way is it not?

From what others have said above, locals would just accept it as par for the course. I agree with you, though.

for minion type jobs, yes. But at a senior level? Like there's so much good senior exec talent flying around in BC? I think it's short-sighted.

januarymix May 16th 2013 7:31 pm

Re: Riddle me this
 
Just to add some positive bells and whistles on my depressing thread :) there have been others who have all responded professionally to my "reach outs". In my old ancient world, responding was just called professionalism. But I will adapt. :zzz: PS one of the ones who ignored is a Brit. Guess adaption is par for the course :ohmy:


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