Employers need to be good communicators too

Ask Kate Column: Following on from my column last week, this week Stephen sounds off. I think his comments are a good reminder to employers and recruiters that if they demand candidates be good communicators, then they need be good communicators too. By the way, I receive emails about the silent treatment from candidates of all ages and both genders so Stephen, it is not your age.

Over to Stephen: “I am 57 and very experienced in both the private sector and Commonwealth Government and also held some medium to high-level positions. I don’t know whether it is because of my age or not (couldn’t be proven anyway), but I am very annoyed at the increasing tendency of prospective employers not to respond to job applications I have submitted. When one applies with genuine intention and has spent a lot of time, thought and effort on an application, I think this is the height of arrogance and rudeness. The days of good manners seem to have gone.

“A couple of employers who have not responded to me after a full month are members of business associations and I intend to report their behaviour to the relevant bodies in an attempt to get some common courtesy back into the employment market.

“After all, how would they like to be kept in limbo while time ticks by and there is not a word of feedback or advice given? If they were sweating on gaining a contract for new business I’m sure things would be different. This is even more annoying when their selection criteria include things like ‘excellent communication & customer service skills’. They could learn something from their own advertising.”