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Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

nytimes.com

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Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#41

Post by Spooky23 »

pduszak wrote: post #34
gnarbarian wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only thing that kept me going on this was excellent communication with both my new manager and HR. They guided me through the process and were very honest about where we stood and how I should answer ambiguous questions in the application. I was certain I would pass the background check but nonetheless it felt unnerving to let those other offers expire for something that was not really a sure thing. Also some of…

What kind of background check costs $30k? Were they looking at past finances?

Federal check for secret/top secret or a state check for someone with access to certain public safety stuff. It's painful enough that many police agencies find it easier and cheaper to train cops.

They validate your references and ask references for other references. Takes a lot of time.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#42

Post by colechristensen »

pduszak wrote: post #34
gnarbarian wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only thing that kept me going on this was excellent communication with both my new manager and HR. They guided me through the process and were very honest about where we stood and how I should answer ambiguous questions in the application. I was certain I would pass the background check but nonetheless it felt unnerving to let those other offers expire for something that was not really a sure thing. Also some of…

What kind of background check costs $30k? Were they looking at past finances?

I'd guess it's more of a security clearance thing where, amongst other things, they send people out to interview your family/friends/employers/etc.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#43

Post by alex_anglin »

kintamanimatt wrote: post #4
apsec112 wrote: post #3

In my job search, I've been surprised by how often you submit a resume online, and then you don't even get a rejection email. It's a true "black hole" in that you never hear back, not even with a "no thanks". I think it's disrespectful of candidates to ask them to spend time filling out an application, and then leave them hanging because you're (presumably) too lazy to read it.

Part of the reason is that rejected candidates tend to ask why they were rejected, which is a massive time sink. The logic goes that it's better to black hole than it is to be inundated with requests for reasons.

Unless your applicants become your prospects or customers. At that point, it's going to be incredibly hard to get over any negative sentiment. The hiring process is as much a communication and marketing process as anything else and needs to be treated as such.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#44

Post by jneal »

apsec112 wrote: post #3

In my job search, I've been surprised by how often you submit a resume online, and then you don't even get a rejection email. It's a true "black hole" in that you never hear back, not even with a "no thanks". I think it's disrespectful of candidates to ask them to spend time filling out an application, and then leave them hanging because you're (presumably) too lazy to read it.

I very much agree. A few years ago I was searching for a new job and there was this one place specifically that had an opening that sounded like a perfect fit for my skill set. They had an extremely long application process that involved "Pre-Employment Testing" (something called Criteria?). Anyway, I spent hours working on this application only to never hear back.

Funny enough, after landing an even better gig, I randomly got contacted by one of their recruiters on LinkedIn asking if I would be interested in the opportunity they were still hiring for. No mention of the fact that I had already applied and never heard back.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#45

Post by gnarbarian »

colechristensen wrote: post #42
pduszak wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What kind of background check costs $30k? Were they looking at past finances?

I'd guess it's more of a security clearance thing where, amongst other things, they send people out to interview your family/friends/employers/etc.

You are correct.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#46

Post by jdmichal »

pduszak wrote: post #34
gnarbarian wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only thing that kept me going on this was excellent communication with both my new manager and HR. They guided me through the process and were very honest about where we stood and how I should answer ambiguous questions in the application. I was certain I would pass the background check but nonetheless it felt unnerving to let those other offers expire for something that was not really a sure thing. Also some of…

What kind of background check costs $30k? Were they looking at past finances?

Six months and $30,000 sounds about right or maybe even a little low for a US secret clearance. There's a reason they're estimated to be worth about $10,000 a year. Insanely expensive and time consuming to get.

(OP has mentioned in another thread that this was not a secret clearance, but very similar.)

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#47

Post by M_Grey »

I've been so thoroughly broken by naming schemes like "Gravity" or "Flaming Biscuit" or whatever, that I've basically trained myself (at least here) to read things like "Black Hole" as a project name. Imagine my brief consternation when I thought, "Who in their right mind would name a resume hosting service 'Black Hole'?!"... then saw the source and felt incredibly stupid.

Beyond that, let me just add my voice to the multitude shouting, "Holy shit, yes, and it's terrible!"

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#48

Post by chiph »

soneca wrote: post #11
kintamanimatt wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Part of the reason is that rejected candidates tend to ask why they were rejected, which is a massive time sink. The logic goes that it's better to black hole than it is to be inundated with requests for reasons.

A clearly automatic rejection with some corporative language is not particularly nice or warm, but fulfills the role of notifying the rejection without any room for this time sinking demand.

Seriously. All it takes is a form letter, and then you know for certain.

Dear Applicant, We're sorry but we have decided not to go forward with your application at the present time. We will keep your CV on file for 6 months in case our needs change. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#49

Post by TsomArp »

ryanSrich wrote: post #26
apsec112 wrote: post #3

In my job search, I've been surprised by how often you submit a resume online, and then you don't even get a rejection email. It's a true "black hole" in that you never hear back, not even with a "no thanks". I think it's disrespectful of candidates to ask them to spend time filling out an application, and then leave them hanging because you're (presumably) too lazy to read it.

100%. The sooner you build a network and put yourself in a position to not have to apply to jobs the better.

How do you "build a network" at companies you have never worked before, and you have no contacts at? You start adding them to your linkedin and then spamming them with messages saying "please be my friend"? I am asking because I heard this recommendation (build a network) all the time, but it is really really difficult to do, more so if you consider the number of companies where one can apply...

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#50

Post by ma2rten »

busterarm wrote: post #22
gnarbarian wrote: post #8

The worst is when you have to fill out countless repetitive and exhaustive applications for ONE job because they don't have enough a proper interface to indeed/LinkedIn/etc I probably spent 7 hours on application paperwork for my current job. Complete with detailed personal history that had to be 100% accurate going back 10 years. I had 3 other offers expire before I got my offer from my current employer. Then once I…

I accepted an offer at a subcontractor at Gulfstream once. Crazy process, including them demanding I send all kinds of crazy info including SSN via email unencrypted. Anyway, I spent several weeks asking them over and over when my start date was supposed to be, because eventually my soon-to-be employer's contract with GD was going to expire and I also wanted to give my current employer notice. After a couple of month…

Sounds like an opportunity to renegotiate your compensation.
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