One of the most challenging parts of job hunting is staying optimistic when dealing with rejection. However, while rejection can definitely hurt, for many job seekers, it’s the lack of communication and sudden changes from employers that are hardest to handle. Over at Forbes, Lydia O’Connor, a recent college grad, reflects on the trouble she’s been having finding a job and argues that it’s time for a Bill of Rights for job seekers to ensure employers treat candidates better:
"Be forthright about salary. Job seekers are warned never to ask about salary. This would be fine if more employers were open about what the salary was. In my experience, 90% of the time employers fail to bring up the salary during an interview. I sometimes get the feeling that they want to gauge my interest without money in the equation. But money is important, especially if you’ve been interviewing for many months. Even worse is when the salary offered is different from what appeared in the want ad – a complaint I hear surprisingly often."
"Follow up. If candidates have taken the time to interview with you, don’t leave them hanging. Within a week or two send an e-mail or, better yet, make a phone call, letting them know where they stand in the process, whether or not they have made it to the next round. Give your candidates realistic timelines as to when they can expect a response, and stick to those timelines."
"Do unto others. One manager who didn’t hire me conveyed the news in a phone call (something that seems increasingly rare) that showed the kind of courtesy we all want. The employer said I had a great resume, and offered to discuss further opportunities. I really appreciated the effort."
Read the rest of her suggestions for a job seeker Bill of Rights.