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Comment by MivLives | Hacker News Reader

I'm hunting for a job right now and this stings. I've had multiple companies just stop responding after 2 or 3 interviews. The weirdest one though was the company that after four interviews emailed me to "schedule next steps". The next steps turned out to be telling me they wouldn't be hiring me but to apply again in six months.

I have no problem being rejected but make sure you are actually doing so, a form email is fine. Ghosting me is not, and I don't need a phone call telling me you're not hiring me.

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A phone call is generally regarded as more respectful than an email when delivering bad news.

There are definitely people who feel like this, but I'm with your parent poster -- I do not want to have an uncomfortable conversation with you about why you're not giving me an offer. This isn't a breakup. We weren't dating. You can just send me an email.

I’d guess they opt to do so not just to give you a chance to provide feedback but also liability.

especially when it's just an offer/rejection. we aren't talking about a layoff.

It's oftentimes better for both parties when rejecting someone to do it via email. The person being rejected isn't put on the spot to compose themselves and be a good sport while the person doing the rejection can manage the response from the person getting rejected (don't have to immediately answer follow ups and/or defend their decision).

My personal favorite when applying for a job. After two phone interviews (the job as in a different country so no on-site interview) with Jeff I was told "Everything sounds great. I'll send you an offer by early next week and we can take it from there". Two weeks pass and I call Jeff, he's not there so I end up talking to Jeff's boss.

Jeff's boss is very confused, and explains that while they had been talking about hiring someone they hadn't made any actual decisions to do so and even if they had been wanting to hire someone now, Jeff was no way in a position to make job offers to anyone.

My best/favorite jobs have come about because of my network (not talking LinkedIn here). I encourage everyone to build a good network with people in the same profession, all over the country (I'm remote), and seek jobs to which you can be referred. Referrals are typically a leap ahead in line, and will get you past the BS gatekeepers.

I try, I really do, but my only referrals have all ended in ghosting by the parent company. Hopefully once I get my first job I can work on building that a little more.

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