OC, there's NO excuse for a potential employer to not advise a candidate who was interviewed that he/she did not get the job. It does NOT have to devolve into a "why didn't you hire me; why didn't you like me; what was wrong with me; what can I do better to get a job" situation.

An e-mail or snail-mail letter to let someone know they didn't get the job is fine; that way there can't be any of the above entanglement. The OP wasn't necessarily expecting a phone call, just a letter or an e-mail; that's what the question addressed.

A simple "Thank you for interviewing with us for the position of Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. We would like to advise you at this time that we have decided to hire another candidate whose experience better matches the position's requirements. Good luck in your job search."

Enuff, end of story, fini. There is no way in hell a candidate could scream discrimination or unfairness or any such thing. So, OK, I can understand the employer not making a phone call; rarely have I ever gotten a call for a job I didn't get, nor would I expect one. But to simply ignore someone who had a face-to-face interview is rude & unprofessional. And don't go on about the "not having the time." It takes a grand total of a few minutes for an HR assistant, or the hiring manager or his/her assistant, tor a receptionist, o send out a form letter or a mass e-mail to the candidates who actually interviewed "in person" or on the phone.

I'm sick of the attitude that an employer's time is more valuable than the employee's. It's not.

Marie, I totally agree with you. I was speaking about those employers who practice this type of behavior. It was discussed when I was a senior in college business classes and to this day has not changed.

I also feel it is unprofessional not to respond to a candidate who was rejected. I personally call each candidate that was not chosen and have received the wrath of a small few. A good example was one candidate I did not choose. He said he was never going to patronize our hotel and casino and would make sure his friends and family know how we 'treat' its customers.He then went on to use foul language to describe our customer service.

In todays corporate world, time is money and if you are not the chosen candidate, the reality is that you will not get a response.

Thank you.  To me it is just unprofessional.  If there was time to fly someone out, for three days and interview them, then there is three minutes time to send an email that says "we appreciate your time and effort but have decided to continue interviewing candidates with a little more experience.  Good luck in your endeavors."  I spent two days interviewing with one firm and their HR manager drove into her office on FATHER'S DAY to call me and tell me the same thing and she realized that this must be disappointing after all that but if they ended up in the future changing the job description to fit my skills would I be interested in that position? YES.  I told her I was interested in the position and organization not a title and to please always contact me.  She said fair enough.  Now going that far spoke highly of her commitment and their professionalism. 

I understand (sort of) only contacting candidates you intend to interview:  saves time.  In the electronic age you can at least get an electronic response that they have your application and track it's progress.  But when candidates go through the process of interviewing and sending out the appropriate professional thank yous and there is no response as to whether they are hired:  VERY unprofessional and there is no excuse.  Companies wonder why there is no loyalty anymore?  Start there at the hiring process. 

Now I know why when my sister said she was considering going into HR my father asked her to do something more honorable like prostitution. 

I can concur with that, in not being contacted as we should be, especially  if you were not the "chosen one" ( Zip, Zilch Nada). In my case and with further critique of my resume (Thank you to those who did) I can understand, but I even went so far as to a phone interview from the Congo (yes that one).

In followup inquiries, I was sent an email about continuing to interview candidates, but the position was still being advertised and really would not have been offended by honesty.

I admit that to employers, "time is money", but as a friend warned me several years ago, "Technology will be the death of us" and it seems that with it has come an age where being honest about it is averted is hidden behind the desktop and well written "sorrys". 

Think they were right, technology seems to have taken away the ability of most to communicate at a human level, allowing well written responses to suffice for plain ole honesty, allowing career seekers to move on instead of pinning hopes on maybe's, Sad.. 

True, I think that one may be better off witout some of the positions where even those incharge can't communicate.