I once saw an article in my LinkedIn feed titled, “The Worst Hiring Mistake Any Company Can Make.” At the time I was going trough a hardship and in search for new employment so I was curious to see what this mistake was, I quickly read on to see what the buzz was about. Here is a link and I would suggest you read as well. www.bit.ly/1qE8z3H

 

Shortly before reading the article I had a similar experience with a hiring manager, that left me VERY disappointed. Overall everything went well during the interview. I was very impressed with the company and eager to be selected for the opening.

 

I was given a CD at the end of our meeting by the hiring manager containing two photos with one with a plywood in a wall holding decorations for a photo-shoot, which I had to remove and clean the image as if the plywood had not been used. This was nothing new to mee since I’ve done extensive photoshop work for several years, however I had a feeling of wrongness. I couldn’t believe the company was asking me to do free work. I was to take unpaid time to complete an assignment merely for review purposes, but needles to say anyone in the market for a job is eager to show talent and willingness and to the day I would gladly complete the unpaid assignment. I would happily complete any work needed to be selected as the best candidate. 

 

BALLARD_DESIGNS_2014ORG BALLARD_DESIGNS_2014COMPLETE

If you’ve read Jeff Haden’s article you probably know where I am going. After promptly submitting the completed images very late the same day, I waited and hoped for the best. 

 

I waited through the weekend and could not help but to feel the disappointment of neglect. I just could not believe how I had not even received a thank you for the submittal. I called the manager and left a voice mail, and then a day or two later I called again and got a hold of someone else who told me the manager was out of town, and I was partially relieved knowing he was probably busy and did not have time. A few days later I received a letter that simply states “thank you for your interest, this is not a negative reflection on your accomplishments or qualification but a different need in our company.”

 

I’m sorry but I spent time working on the images, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, I don’t know but I spent time and I never received a thank you for taking time to complete your assignment. As the article  points out it seems just plain rude after someone pays you the compliment of wanting to work for you, not to reach out not have closure. I was about to delete these images but considered it yet a further waste of my time, and I apologize if anyone objects to posting them on my blog but I spent my own time to complete them and I was not even thanked for it, a simple thank you reply would have sufficed.