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Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

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Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#81
post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are there laws that would allow me to get the interviewers notes?

Yes, during discovery, for instance.

What do you mean?

I was thinking for example: I can request a copy from my employer of HR docs specific to me. Does this only apply because I'm employed, or does it extend to interview notes?

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#82
post #68

The notion about lawsuits is basically the answer. I've interviewed and hired hundreds of people and the real reasons are usually pretty banal, e.g. not a good match between skills and requirements, wants too much money, etc. so in cases where somebody does hear something and they hear "not a good fit" that honestly is usually the case. It's hard to provide more specifics because interviews don't really uncover deep…

What type of "behavior problems" have you seen?

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#83
post #68

The notion about lawsuits is basically the answer. I've interviewed and hired hundreds of people and the real reasons are usually pretty banal, e.g. not a good match between skills and requirements, wants too much money, etc. so in cases where somebody does hear something and they hear "not a good fit" that honestly is usually the case. It's hard to provide more specifics because interviews don't really uncover deep…

What type of "behavior problems" have you seen?

People showing up to interviews drunk or high, clear untreated mental health problems, etc.

One guy showed up hung over after walking a few miles to the interview after he wrecked his car the night before while out binge drinking and drunk driving.

I had one large guy block the exit from the interview room and demand that we hire him to do GPU programming, even though he clearly knew nothing about the subject. We said "sure" and then once he got out of the way had security come and remove him.

You really never know what you'll encounter when you call people in for a chat.

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#84
post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, during discovery, for instance.

What do you mean? I was thinking for example: I can request a copy from my employer of HR docs specific to me. Does this only apply because I'm employed, or does it extend to interview notes?

The parent was discussing illegal discrimination -- if you were suing for any reason, part of the process would be discovery, in which you may request documents and information for use in your case.[1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_(law)

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#85
post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, during discovery, for instance.

What do you mean? I was thinking for example: I can request a copy from my employer of HR docs specific to me. Does this only apply because I'm employed, or does it extend to interview notes?

You actually think "interview notes" are recorded anywhere formally? Pretty unlikely in 90% of corporations. You're likely requesting something from the circular file.

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#86
post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, during discovery, for instance.

What do you mean? I was thinking for example: I can request a copy from my employer of HR docs specific to me. Does this only apply because I'm employed, or does it extend to interview notes?

In California, at least, the law specifies that it only applies to "current and former employees."

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#88
post #87

because there is literally no marginal benefit?

Maybe not 'literally', but the point is well taken. I got actionable feedback when I was applying as an intern at Microsoft, and I ended up working there a few years later. The feedback I got was crucial to my getting the job at MSFT (as well as to getting a different job before going to MSFT)

Re: Why Do Employers Rarely Offer Explanations to Rejected Candidates?

#89
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What type of "behavior problems" have you seen?

People showing up to interviews drunk or high, clear untreated mental health problems, etc. One guy showed up hung over after walking a few miles to the interview after he wrecked his car the night before while out binge drinking and drunk driving. I had one large guy block the exit from the interview room and demand that we hire him to do GPU programming, even though he clearly knew nothing about the subject. We sai…

Similar experience - interviewing for a DBA position, one candidate couldn't answer the most basic questions, started getting angry and not at himself. The interview is clearly a waste of time so soon I'm saying "thank you for your time today" and he starts shouting how he is a good DBA, just ask his friend Mike, call him right now. I reach for the phone, but not to call his friend Mike. He left before security could get there.
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