Interview No shows….

The most vexing and challenging problem we face at Three Value Logic seems to be sourcing enough applicants for our Career Sales Development Program. Surprisingly, the issue is less about selling folks on the value of the program – we have a high ‘conversion’ rate of applicants to enrollments. Instead, the problem has been getting folks to show up for the initial interview.

Apparently we are not the only ones facing this challenge as this article suggests.

Seriously, we have gone through numerous refinements of our scheduling and confirmation process with no measurable change in results. The anecdotes are too numerous to mention and most would be amusing if the situation wasn’t so depressing. Lets just say that simply by agreeing to come in for an interview with 3VLSI, you have a significantly higher probability of personal injury, death in the family, flat tire, or all of the above.

A recent late night Google search for ‘interview no shows’ led me to pages and pages of college career center policies on this topic. It seems that colleges are the canary in the coal mine for a Quoting from one site: ‘Few acts will destroy the reputation of a student and an institution’s Career Services office more than an interviewee who does not show up for an interview.’ These sites describe in detail the penalties for blowing off interviews (suspension of online job board privileges) as well as the remedies required to get back in the good graces of the career center (letters of apology to employers.)

My search also led me to articles by recruiters and agencies outlining employer strategies for dealing with the problem. What struck me about these articles was they predominantly seemed to rationalize the behavior of individuals. One of my favorite recommendations was: ‘Offer them (interviewees) lunch or other enticements.’ Are you kidding me? Why not gift bags just for showing up? These are obviously the same people who advocate trophies for ‘participation’ and asert that keeping score at children’s sports events hurts self-esteem.

Of course a tight labor market makes recruiting difficult. However, the issue is not scarcity of talent but a shift in societal norms that justifies rude behavior so that individual can avoid the discomfort of having to call and say ‘no thank you’ or risk a potential blow to their self esteem from a rejection.

For my mind, blowing off an interview comes down to disrespect or cowardice and I suspect this phenomenon will increase as our society continues to nurture the belief that individuals’ avoidance of discomfort and need for self-esteem supersedes all else.