I try not to do too many negative/complaining  posts on here, but the last couple weeks have really gotten to me during my job search. So I’m taking my rant to the blogoshere to pretty much vent and maybe even get some encouragement.

The first thing that is bothering me, and has been bothering me for a long time now, is inconsiderate employers. Why is it so hard to call/email a potential candidate after an interview to let them know if they got the job? I read an article this week giving advice to employers on how to avoid negative publicity on social media platforms from disgruntled applicants. I never mention employers by name, nor do I really even talk to people about who I’m applying/interviewing with. I think it’s best not to burn any bridges. But the things I read not only seemed like common sense, but common decency. I understand that employers are inundated with applicants once they make a job public, and I don’t expect to hear back from every job I apply for. Although, if I take the time to interview with you, you owe me a call or at least a form email telling me I did not get the job. Just this week someone told me that in this economy employers have all the power and can do what ever they want. I’m sorry but that is a load of crap. A bad economy does not warrant bad behavior.

Another thing that enraged me this week was the talk of employers who are requiring applicant to be “currently employed” in order to apply for a position. Seriously?!?! I know that when someone leaves a job (or in most cases is forced to leave by a layoff) there is a potential to fall behind in technology and skills; but I highly doubt this is what is happening to most of the unemployed Americans right now. I have been unemployed for a year. I have spent countless hours on the internet researching, taking webinars and networking. I am constantly volunteering and looking for opportunities to better myself and the community. Should I be penalized for the fact that I am not in an office all day? No.  A month after I was laid off from my job my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. When looking at my resume does an employer know that 8 of the last 12 months were spent helping my family through the hardest time of our lives and I could not devote as much time to my job search as I would have liked? No. Now tell me again Mr. High and Mighty Employer why I can’t apply your job. So sad.