why don't most schools send rejections?

[venting]

seems like it would take them very little time since most applications are through an online system. just venting but seems like a total lack of care for candidates' time and wellbeing!

[fsfds]

yes, some of them even do bother to contact other shortlisted candidates. They are just bad and lazy people hiding behind so-called HR and administration

[process]

I agree that more depts should send out rejections, especially to people who don't make a long/shortlist, and to everyone once offers have been accepted. That said, I've been on committees where we've had failed hiring rounds, so we go back to the pool. The whole thing can take a while.

[bad people?]

I agree that the poor and unstandardized communication practices compound the stress for job candidates. "process" has it right, though. Part of the reason is that as soon as you notify some candidate that they did not make a cut (let's say some long list), then they can no longer be considered.
That means if
1. 2 months goes by and you don't have a hire (maybe the first candidate negotiated a while and the next two took other jobs in the meanwhile, or maybe you later got permission to hire 2 candidates from the same pool. I've seen both of these happens at two different institutions where I have worked)
2. you want to go back to the pool
3. Candidate X, whom you didn't advance to the long list initially, has had some major new articles published in the last 2 months (junior candidates records can change fast)

You can no longer consider candidate X if they have received a rejection. So, some search committees just keep everyone in play until there is an accepted offer. It is a terrible practice (the poor communication) and I fight against it at my own institution. But, that is one of the reasons why it happens.

Hang in there, everyone.

[fff]

Oct 26, 2023 15:48:15 GMT -5 bad people? said:

I agree that the poor and unstandardized communication practices compound the stress for job candidates. "process" has it right, though. Part of the reason is that as soon as you notify some candidate that they did not make a cut (let's say some long list), then they can no longer be considered.
That means if
1. 2 months goes by and you don't have a hire (maybe the first candidate negotiated a while and the next two took other jobs in the meanwhile, or maybe you later got permission to hire 2 candidates from the same pool. I've seen both of these happens at two different institutions where I have worked)
2. you want to go back to the pool
3. Candidate X, whom you didn't advance to the long list initially, has had some major new articles published in the last 2 months (junior candidates records can change fast)

You can no longer consider candidate X if they have received a rejection. So, some search committees just keep everyone in play until there is an accepted offer. It is a terrible practice (the poor communication) and I fight against it at my own institution. But, that is one of the reasons why it happens.

Hang in there, everyone.

some departments ghost candidates forever. They post new faculty profile on their website rather than writing a email to their shotlisted candidates. I also want to ask if whehter it is considered as unprofessonal if canaidate x emails the SC to update his/her new grant/publication after the due date or even the campus visit.

[It is]

Yes, that is appropriate

[ask]

If you made it to the campus visit, and they told you a timeline, wait until that timeline has passed and then write to ask. Some people may suggest not to ask and move on. I suggest every unchosen candidate should ask to remind them there are still people anxiously waiting and they should not simply ghost people for any reason. When these SC social scientists claim their work is good for social justice or people's wellness, at least they could start from this everyday practice of good manners rather than hiding under bureaucracy.

[agreed]

Oct 28, 2023 11:53:03 GMT -5 ask said:

If you made it to the campus visit, and they told you a timeline, wait until that timeline has passed and then write to ask. Some people may suggest not to ask and move on. I suggest every unchosen candidate should ask to remind them there are still people anxiously waiting and they should not simply ghost people for any reason. When these SC social scientists claim their work is good for social justice or people's wellness, at least they could start from this everyday practice of good manners rather than hiding under bureaucracy.

Agreed. It's also a red flag if they ghost you after interviewing you IMO. They can let you know what is going on. I remember one really dysfunctional place I interviewed with ghosted me after the campus visit. Turns out the search chair left the search and then they didn't hire anyone lol. 

[responsible]

When junior scholars and PhDs are told they should do all the things to be professional, we overlook the fact that there are many dysfunctional departments or irresponsible seniors who are doing various types of unprofessional shits to bully job candidates. Ghosting candidates or asking stupid questions during the visit are the most popular two of them.

[doublestandardsindeed]

Oct 30, 2023 19:12:40 GMT -5 responsible said:

When junior scholars and PhDs are told they should do all the things to be professional, we overlook the fact that there are many dysfunctional departments or irresponsible seniors who are doing various types of unprofessional shits to bully job candidates. Ghosting candidates or asking stupid questions during the visit are the most popular two of them.

sometimes even junior faculty members also would be rude to job candidates... My favorite would be them asking you stupid questions thinking they were challenging you on your research, when they were just making you question the department's hiring decisions... a double standard indeed

[ghosted]

I had been interviewed by three different colleges before the holidays and have not heard back since then. Now, I see why people say the whole process is exhausting, frustrating, and depressing. I am sorry for all of us who have to go through this ridiculous charade.

[HR]

you need to really blame this on HR. HR instructs search committee members not to communicate with applicants beyond setting up the interview. And for what it's worth, I absolutely share the frustration.