Application Withdrawn
How many times have you ever withdrawn your application for a job? Did it take an employer by surprise? I've done it a lot, not just to show myself or the particular employer I'm not desperate, I often find when a situation gets too entangled, I usually end it right there. I get the feeling most employers never expect an applicant to withdraw under any circumstance. Maybe reschedule an interview or cancel one based on an emergency, but when I do it, I never give a reason, leaving them to figure I did it based on disinterest. I wrote a post before about how a few employers who know they shouldn't be selecting me for an interview when some jobs I apply for are obviously too upscale for what my resume presents but sometimes do to fill some quota. A certain rounding off number of applicants and then choosing one to hire. I usually suspect I'm part of the majority who'll get passed over each time, but I find it surprising when I e-mail someone and say I've decided to withdraw. That gets the most attention from every employer or hiring manager I did that to. I've mentioned before how seldom I get a response when applying, either autoresponses or one real response for every 15 and more first time contacts for jobs. Each and every time I've e-mailed saying I withdraw, I immediately get a response back saying something. You'd think I just poked them in the side with a needle. The most recent one I mentioned before was a few months ago, a computer outlet that looked at my resume' and decided to turn me down for employment with them specifically, but was willing to hire me for some stupid ( what I assume was ) probationary/temporary work which had nothing to do with working with or on computers, but more a packaging, shipping and handling role. No guarantee of job security, and I can reasonably presume no real pay. Are you kidding me? So I e-mailed saying I withdrew, and they wrote back less than 10 minutes later : if you would like, we can discuss further opportunities later - presuming I would reconsider and still interview for the crappy job. Uh, thanks but no thanks. You think I'm stupid or something? I know what's going on. You can shove someone else to the side like that, but not me.
You think I'm stupid or something? yes I am seriously considering withdrawing my application for a position for which I was interviewed nearly 3 months ago. I have 100% of the required and preferred qualifications. In fact, my education and experience exceed their requirements. The title is even the same as my last full-time job. After 3 yrs., nine months of interviews and rejection, I am sick of IT. Nearly 3 weeks ago, when I made my polite, not too pushy, every-two-week follow-up phone call to the director, she said that they were closing the posting for the position the following weekend and she hoped to make a decision shortly. Not only is the job still posted, they are running a new newspaper ad in the local paper. To me it is clear that if I was still under consideration, they would not continue to advertise and accept applications. They called me to come interview less than 24 hours after I submitted my application. They made a point of staying in touch with me for the first few weeks. She told me we had a great interview. How very nice. Of course, MY AGE was readily apparent when I had to hand my driver's license to one of my interviewers on the spot. For once, I wish someone would just TELL THE TRUTH and cut out the BS CRAP. If you don't want me, just say so. I'm a big girl and have dealt with rejection before. xttwo--What do you say in your emails to withdraw an application? Just something like, Dear Ms. ***, thank you for considering me for the ----position. At this time, however, I would like to withdraw my application from further consideration. Respectfully, EEO_Atty Polite, concise, to the point.??
Usually I say exactly that, nothing else. " I've decided to withdraw " . The last time I did that was based on them in a way turning me down to what I applied for, and trying to file me under some other kind of job which seemed to me like a classic low-ball move. They immediately e-mailed back saying that if I wanted I could still come in for the scheduled interview. No dice. In so many words I made it clear that time by simply saying " withdrawn " and apparenty I had to say it again to force the issue. It almost as if they were trying to say " please reconsider " without actually saying it.
Thanks, xttwo. I sent my email before reading your response to my question. My email said: Dear Ms.---, Thank you for considering me for the XXX position. I think you will be hard-pressed to find another candidate as well-qualified for the job as me. At this time, however, I would like to withdraw my application from further consideration. Respectfully, ME If they were still considering me, they may call. Otherwise, I don't believe I had anything to lose after 3 months of waiting. I am not going to keep waiting for them while they continue to accept applications, and conduct interviews, seeking a younger candidate (or fill some "quota") who barely meets their needs. Will keep you posted. This is the first time I have done something like this. I have always afraid to rock the boat, I always accept the salary offered without negotiating, now I wait for them to do me the courtesy of a call or provide feedback. It is kind of empowering in a way.
You seem very receptive to what I've said, which is a good thing. Unlike the other idiots on this message board who routinely defend their particular employers as sweet, good natured people who see the beauty in every applicant like themselves. It's enough to make one vomit.
Listen, if you ever wanted to take real substantive advice, it's this. Between applicants and prospective employers, you the applicant are the one in the better position to negotiate terms. So long as you continue to be as assertive as you are. I am and others are as well I suspect. Get up off your knees bowing to their whim by waiting for them to keep in touch with you. Be a mover and shaker, force the issue, and eventually good things will happen. Only someone pathetically desperate will take anything that comes along, usually for lower price than desired. What others on this message board fail to realize is that employers are just as cut-throat as any in the business because almost all blue-collar jobs are by design high-turnover. White collar jobs are fast becomming as well in this day and age. ( post 9/11 outsourcing )
I'm with you 100%. I recently was offered some temp nowhere job that any idiot could. Of course, there were no benefits or guaranty of going FT after 6 long months. You're right about being treated worse than the family pet by thoughtless employers. My thing is I want to get hired in a gainful employment situation LONG TERM. I would have thought that would mean something to a perspective employer, but I'm still not working even though I really want to. It sucks being unemployed with a college education and only being offered gross underemployment with NO future. This job would be considered white-collar. I haven't received any response from them so far. If they do contact me it will come from the HR Director. It is quite possible she hasn't even read my email yet. I'm not making excuses for them, but I know she is very busy; however, I could have eased her workload significantly by now if they had hired me in a timely manner rather than continue to interview and accept applications. There is no rational, objective reason they are continuing to look when they have at least one candidate who exceeds all of the qualifications they seek. No, you are not likely to read any messages posted by me praising employers. They expect undying loyalty from employees but seldom (never in my experience) reciprocate. Actually, I am pathetically desperate, but enough is enough. I don't appreciate being taken for granted in my personal relationships, and I am not going to allow this particular employer to assume that I will be available 3 months from now if they realize I am the best person for the job. My experience is a perfect match for the position. End of story. It was time for someone to poop and get off of the commode; I did. Thanks for the advice. The saga continues.......
I had to tread unemployment water for almost three years until I came across the recent temp job I was offered this past early May. The good thing about it is that it was a high-class event. So even though the time was only six days worth of work, and money was next to nothing. I made the right choice by taking it. Now it sits as a much better addition on my resume'. Minimum wage is $8.00 an hour. Everyone looking for work should be asking for at least $10. If you want to know wether or not you're operating from a position of weakness, never say to an employer when they ask you about salary : I'll accept whatever you're paying. That's a dead give away for them to treat you less than you should. I learned the hard way that all applicants should be assertive, even if they don't ask you about salary, make a point to mention it at least once, verbally or on paper. Never be afraid to withdraw an application if you're not being offered at least two of the three things you should be looking for, the right hours, the right pay and job security It has been over 3 yrs., 9 months for me, so I am very desperate. The job would have been great--good hrs, benefits, very good salary even based upon the minimum, security after completing a probationary period. I just don't believe they can have a good reason to keep someone who is highly qualified waiting for 3 months while they continue to accept apps. and interview others. When I was interviewed, they said they were seeing 4 people. That was not true. It would not be such a big issue with me if there were any areas where I lack training or experience. But since I am a perfect fit, there must be some other factor they are considering, age--I am 52 or they are looking for a minority--I am white plus 1/8 American Indian. Employers do not aspire to fill AI quotas, just other ethnic groups. If this country owes anything to any group it should be the Native Americans who were here first and had their land stolen; however, I don't think they should give preference to anyone--they should hire based upon merit, period. | |
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