Never, it's
never ok to be nasty when you're searching for a job. In finding
employment, communication plays a pivotal role. The way candidates express
themselves—whether in interviews, emails or over the phone —can significantly
impact their chances of landing a job. While the job search process can be
stressful and frustrating, it’s crucial to remember that maintaining
professionalism is key.
While it is rare, I have been on the receiving end over the
years of the occasional "nasty-gram" from a candidate that wasn't
pleased for one reason or another. Either they were not offered a
position, or over-looked for an interview, or they simply didn't get the
response they expected. Here’s why it’s never acceptable to respond
negatively, and how doing so can affect career prospects.
The Industry is Smaller Than You Think: While
you might not mind burning bridges at that particular company, you have no idea
who the recipient may share your message with both internally &
externally.
Many years ago I remember interviewing a candidate and when
I ascertained that he did not have the required qualifications for the
position, I politely let him know that unfortunately I wouldn't be able to move
him forward in the process. That candidate began screaming at me over the
phone, using a string of expletives that would make most people's ears burn and
then told me how much we'd regret not hiring him because he was the "BEST,
MOST QUALIFIED candidate I'd probably ever talk to."
The only thing he guaranteed by that behavior was never
being eligible to work for that company. Had he been polite and accepted
the fact that he wasn't meeting the requirements for that particular job, it
may have been possible that he would've been considered in the future for a
different role.
Recently I reached out to a candidate via a job-board for a
high level remote role. I included the job description which specified
the role was permanent and 100% remote. The candidate messaged me back
with a handful of bullets stating:
Work mode -hybrid or in person
Pay rate - $30 higher/ if in the city $34 higher
Long-term contract work at least 6 months or more
At least one interview
No multiple rounds of interviews
Had the candidate read the job description they could've
saved themselves the response time. Additionally, for the level of job we
were recruiting for, multiple rounds of interviews would be required. I
responded letting them know it wasn't a fit because it was remote & would
require multiple interviews and thanking her for her time. They then
replied with the following:
Listen!
This was exactly my expectation from you!!!. Be glad my
time wasn’t wasted on a useless phone call or you would’ve received an
even more harsh fuckin email!!!!
Don't!!
Keep in mind that Emotional Intelligence is Key: Employers look for candidates who not only possess the necessary skills but also demonstrate emotional intelligence. This includes the ability to handle difficult situations gracefully and to communicate effectively, even under pressure. A nasty response suggests a lack of emotional maturity and may indicate how a candidate would react in a challenging work environment. Employers want team members who can navigate conflicts constructively, rather than escalate them.
