How to respond to desperate job applicant?

[Anonymous]

We have an open admin position. This applicant has all of the experience we need, references were solid, but they are hounding us for the position.

They have followed up every day since our initial phone screen. The first was a general thank you for your time I am very interested in pursuing this position further. Then we did the in person interview Thursday and I said we would be reaching out to references. They sent follow up emails Friday, Saturday, and Sunday asking about references progress and saying they really need a job. I updated them yesterday and said we had connected with one reference, are waiting for at least one more to respond, and I will keep them updated. Then this morning I have an email "Good morning, any further progress on my references? I really need this job and to start working as I have no money. If not this job, I am open to any job you have available that I can start as soon as possible. Thank you".

To say the least, this is awkward and uncomfortable. How do I professionally respond to this and would you still consider them for the job?

[Anonymous]

Fwd to HR

[Anonymous]

I would not consider them for the job. The person obviously has no concept of professionalism or boundaries. I would be paranoid every time they interacted with a customer or colleague.

[Anonymous]

You just say that you thank them for their interest and that your recruiter will be in touch should there be a fit fr the role/organization.

[Anonymous]

It’s one thing to be eager. But it’s another thing to blatantly say “I need the money”. Yikes. Sounds like they care more about getting paid than the role.

[Anonymous]

The applicant's behavior would make me question their judgment and professionalism, and I wouldn't hire them.

As for how to respond, it depends on how nice you want to be and how much to soft-pedal it. But some (kinder) version of, "We will not be hiring you" doesn't seem like it would be out of line (although with this applicant, "Please stop hounding us" will probably follow at some point).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You just say that you thank them for their interest and that your recruiter will be in touch should there be a fit fr the role/organization.

This

[Anonymous]

If you need an admin, and they are qualified, I'd give them a shot. She may be a very devoted employee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s one thing to be eager. But it’s another thing to blatantly say “I need the money”. Yikes. Sounds like they care more about getting paid than the role.

It's an admin job. Everyone working those jobs cares more for the money than the role

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have an open admin position. This applicant has all of the experience we need, references were solid, but they are hounding us for the position.

They have followed up every day since our initial phone screen. The first was a general thank you for your time I am very interested in pursuing this position further. Then we did the in person interview Thursday and I said we would be reaching out to references. They sent follow up emails Friday, Saturday, and Sunday asking about references progress and saying they really need a job. I updated them yesterday and said we had connected with one reference, are waiting for at least one more to respond, and I will keep them updated. Then this morning I have an email "Good morning, any further progress on my references? I really need this job and to start working as I have no money. If not this job, I am open to any job you have available that I can start as soon as possible. Thank you".

To say the least, this is awkward and uncomfortable. How do I professionally respond to this and would you still consider them for the job?

OP, I would thank her again for her interest and let her know what the next step in the process is. I think candidates seeking jobs often feel like they are in the dark which can produce anxiety. I think the candidate is feeling anxious and would like to know what is going on. She seems qualified for the position so I would not eliminate her based on her continued interest in the job. When we are on the hiring end, it is easy for us to be dismissive of the feelings of job candidates. Put yourself in their shoes. And, I think most of us want jobs because we need the money. The candidate was simply stating a fact. My advice to you, OP, is to be kind. DCUM people can be very insensitive and live in an artificial world.

[Anonymous]

Has all the experience, references are solid, can start work tomorrow, is eager to work. Did the person present themselves in a good light in person? It is very unusual and annoying, but maybe they are literally hungry and broke and letting you know they need the job. You have to decide if they are going to take it for short time money or could be the most loyal employee ever because you gave them a break.
I would not *not* hire them for this even though it would be easy to write them off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s one thing to be eager. But it’s another thing to blatantly say “I need the money”. Yikes. Sounds like they care more about getting paid than the role.

Would you do your job for free? No? Don’t perpetuate this.

OP - are you planning on hiring this person? Just straight out say the process is a little slower than you would like, but you will be in touch. I wouldn’t change my hiring decision based on this. S/he is hungry, broke, inflation is high, but qualified for the job, right? Throw them a bone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have an open admin position. This applicant has all of the experience we need, references were solid, but they are hounding us for the position.

They have followed up every day since our initial phone screen. The first was a general thank you for your time I am very interested in pursuing this position further. Then we did the in person interview Thursday and I said we would be reaching out to references. They sent follow up emails Friday, Saturday, and Sunday asking about references progress and saying they really need a job. I updated them yesterday and said we had connected with one reference, are waiting for at least one more to respond, and I will keep them updated. Then this morning I have an email "Good morning, any further progress on my references? I really need this job and to start working as I have no money. If not this job, I am open to any job you have available that I can start as soon as possible. Thank you".

To say the least, this is awkward and uncomfortable. How do I professionally respond to this and would you still consider them for the job?

OP, I would thank her again for her interest and let her know what the next step in the process is. I think candidates seeking jobs often feel like they are in the dark which can produce anxiety. I think the candidate is feeling anxious and would like to know what is going on. She seems qualified for the position so I would not eliminate her based on her continued interest in the job. When we are on the hiring end, it is easy for us to be dismissive of the feelings of job candidates. Put yourself in their shoes. And, I think most of us want jobs because we need the money. The candidate was simply stating a fact. My advice to you, OP, is to be kind. DCUM people can be very insensitive and live in an artificial world.

Yes. I'd also explicitly state something like, "We will be in touch as soon as we have information about the next steps. Please wait to hear from us before contacting us again" or "do not check in again before X date." If they disregard that instruction, I'd be wary, but so far it sounds like they are just trying to show how eager they are, which is in general a good sign.

[Anonymous]

It's better to hire someone who needs the money than someone who doesn't. This person will work hard to keep the job. I'd give them a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better to hire someone who needs the money than someone who doesn't. This person will work hard to keep the job. I'd give them a shot.

I used to believe this - BUT our two best employees do not need their job, in the traditional sense (money), as their spouses do quite well.

However, In OPs case, you could hire this employee on a probationary term, to see if the employee respects boundaries or will be overly demanding and needy, in general.