| Importance of this Topic: One sure way to get into | | | | applicant reasons for the rejection. If you tell the |
| "hot water" is to goof up how you reject a job | | | | applicant the real reasons, you most likely will get |
| applicant. Doing it the wrong way leaves you with a | | | | yourself into an uncomfortable disagreement. The |
| huge headache, wasted time, miserable reputation and, | | | | applicant will take great glee in trying to find fault with |
| in extreme cases, legal action. Fortunately, you find out | | | | your reasons for rejection. Just Say "No!!" Many |
| how to smoothly and easily reject job applicants using | | | | companies use my firm's Abilities & Behavior |
| this article's tips. A Nightmare That Really Happened | | | | Forecaster (TM) pre-employment tests. The company |
| Many years ago, when I worked as a manager at a | | | | tests an applicant using the Forecaster (TM) test, and |
| major corporation, I received a call from a headhunter | | | | then gets computerized scores to quickly compare the |
| about a magnificent job opening. It sounded like the | | | | applicant to productive employees who work in the |
| perfect job for me. So, I went and was interviewed by | | | | particular job. Often, managers ask me, "Dr. Mercer, |
| the vice-president I would report to, if hired. He told me | | | | can I show the applicant his of her Forecaster (TM) |
| I was one of two finalists for the position. A week | | | | Test scores?" I answer as follows: "Would you show |
| later, I got on an elevator with a person who looked | | | | the applicant the notes you took when you |
| totally elated. I asked her why she felt so jubilant. She | | | | interviewed him or her?" The manager always |
| proudly told me she was offered a fantastic job. She | | | | responds, "Of course not!" Then, I ask, "Would you |
| described the job to me. Lo-and-behold, she got the | | | | show the applicant the notes you took when you |
| job I applied for! Of the two finalists, she was the other | | | | called the applicant's references?" Again, the manager |
| candidate - and she got the job!! The next day, I called | | | | answers, "Of course not!!" I then explain to the |
| the vice-president who interviewed me. I asked if we | | | | manager to treat the test scores the same way the |
| could meet to discuss why he did not offer me the | | | | manager treats the interview notes or reference |
| job. He agreed. When we met, he told me the only | | | | check notes: Do not show any hiring materials to the |
| reason he did not hire me was because of one thing I | | | | applicant. |
| said in the interview that he did not like. He told me | | | | Take This Quiz Answer these questions to assess |
| what it was. I felt horrified. The vice-president grossly | | | | your skill at rejecting an applicant - and staying out of |
| misinterpreted what I meant! So, I did not get offered | | | | hot water with applicants you reject. |
| the job because he misinterpreted one comment I | | | | 1. Should you tell the applicant why you did not hire him |
| made. | | | | her? Yes / No |
| I told him how he misinterpreted that one remark. It | | | | 2. Should you show the applicant materials you have |
| was useless. We argued for two hours. It was quite | | | | about him/her, such asa. Test scores? Yes / Nob. |
| unpleasant. I am sure that was the last time that | | | | Notes you took while interviewing applicant? Yes / |
| executive told any applicant why he or she did not | | | | Noc. Notes you took during reference checks? Yes / |
| receive a job offer. | | | | Nod. Applicant rating sheet? Yes / No |
| Valuable Lesson When you reject a job applicant -- | | | | 3. Should you tell the applicant details of discussions |
| and the applicant asks you why -- remember to do | | | | you and other managers had about him/her? Yes / No |
| only the following: | | | | 4. If an applicant asks for "feedback" or "advice" about |
| 1. Act politely vague about why you rejected the | | | | how to do better in future job interviews, which |
| applicant | | | | answer is best - for you and your company?a. "We |
| 2. Just say "No!!!!" | | | | rejected you because you have quirks, your work |
| Act Politely Vague If an applicant asks you why you | | | | experience is unimpressive, you lack certain skills, and |
| did not hire him or her, say something politely vague. | | | | your communications skills need improvement."b. "As |
| Examples: | | | | you can imagine, we had a number of applicants for |
| "As you can imagine, we had a number of applicants | | | | this job. Thank you for applying. We will keep your |
| for this job. We will keep your application on file. | | | | application on file."Answers: = For Questions 1, 2 and 3, |
| Thanks for applying." | | | | all answers are "No." For Question 4, the answer is "b. |
| "We had to choose among a number of applicants. | | | | "Remember - Or You Pay the Price When hiring, your |
| Thanks for applying. We'll keep your application on file." | | | | goal is to hire productive employees. Your goal is not |
| If the applicant asks (or begs) you for "feedback" or | | | | to (1) get into a heated discussion with a rejected |
| advice to become a better applicant in the future, | | | | applicant nor (2) help a rejected applicant "develop |
| BEWARE!! Such requests are disguised ways to | | | | skills" and improve. So, remember two rules when you |
| squeeze out of you the reasons you rejected the | | | | reject an applicant: |
| person. Despite your humanistic urge to help the | | | | Be politely vagueJust say "No!!!!"© Copyright 2005 |
| applicant "grow" or "develop skills," never tell the | | | | Michael Mercer, Ph.D. |