Dear Urban Diplomat: Am I entitled to an email telling me that I didn’t get the job?
Dear Urban Diplomat, As part of a recent job application, I had to go through three interviews, submit a 1,000-word proposal and take a half-day, in-office test. After waiting weeks without word, I found out through an acquaintance that the job went to someone else. I was furious. Am I not entitled to an email at the very least? I’m tempted to phone and ask what happened—and dole out a lesson in manners while I’m at it. Should I? —Overworked and unemployed, MISSISSAUGA
The potential employer demonstrated abysmal HR etiquette by not calling you back, but—for the sake of your career—do not call to complain. You’ll only get placating promises about keeping your application on file, which really means you’ve been placed on the no-fly list for eternity. And, if your name ever comes up among the employer’s job-giving industry friends, you’ll be known as the whiny unemployed avenger. Try to think of that 1,000-word proposal as good practice, keep at the job hunt and exact your revenge by landing a killer gig. Who knows, maybe the roles will be reversed one day, and after putting the candidate through the wringer, you can call to offer your most heartfelt rejection.
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