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?
I'll never forget leaving a message that I'd received a second offer I needed to respond to asap and if I was their backup or they were rejecting me to just let me know immediately. No rejection after 3 messages. I called from a different phone number and the recruiter picked up on the first ring. I told her I wouldn't ever call again and I that I was taking the other position. But then, I dissuaded everyone I knew from dealing with the company and their "first choice" rejected them too. OP, you owe the candidate honesty. Tell her other candidates have had to wait
4 weeks for onboarding. Tell her you usually give references
2.5 weeks to respond. Ask her if she has another reference. Tell her there are no immediate hiring positions or that you can forward her resume to the custodial services or whatever other department. Tell her if she needs money to find a company with immediate hiring needs, to go with them. If you treat people right, she may send over referrals of better candidates, or be the best employee you ever had. If she is too pushy/thirsty to hire , you are justified and that is fine to tell her, but you are
DEFINITELY not being forthcoming enough. It is not going to kill you to be open and it makes you look more professional.