I lost my job as an IT Manager in June, 2021. While on the phone listening to HR tell me I was done, I was applying for a DBA position, which followed another application submitted earlier that day. Over the course of the next 2 months, I applied to well over 50 different positions and spoke with recruiters about a handful more. It was a long process before receiving an offer on September 3, accepting the offer on September 8 and beginning my next adventure on September 20.
Of the 50+ positions, there were many companies from which I heard nothing at all. No reach out from HR or a recruiter, no rejection email, nothing. The radio silence thing was easily the most frustrating part of the entire process and the impetus for writing this blog entry. I find it to be incredibly unprofessional and could potentially be indicative of disorganization in the recruiting and HR functions. Perhaps that is premature judgement to make but from the applicant perspective I’m not sure any other conclusion can be drawn. Hopefully some recruiters and HR managers will take note.
So, here is the summary of every job to which I applied.
NovoDynamics, Inc.
IT Manager
Submitted application 6/22/21 12:11 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Jordan (recruiter) reached out 6/23 1:00 PM
Had interview with David (CEO) 6/30 10:00 AM
Received message on LinkedIn that I was not being considered 7/7 12:07 PM
My grade for dealing with them: B+
Notes:
Was a great company to deal with. Recruiter was accommodating and professional. Interview with the CEO was very professional and interesting. It wasn’t a great fit for me based on the technologies that they utilize and I was not surprised when told I wasn’t being considered. Definitely a company to root for success. Brief aside – the AI technologies that they use are fascinating.
Xtivia
SR Level SQL DBA (Database Administrator)
Submitted application 6/22/21 4:13 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Contacted by Jan (recruiter) 7/9 4:24 PM
-Interview scheduled for 7/13 9:00 AM
1st interview 7/13 9:00 AM with Jan
2nd interview 7/14 10:30 AM with Kathlene
Called Jan to check on process 7/26 2:16 PM…left message
Jan called back and said she would get an update and call back today/tomorrow 7/26 3:33 PM
Received email from Jan that they selected another candidate 7/28 4:36 PM
My grade for dealing with them: A-
Notes:
They were a really good company to work with. Jan (recruiter) was super nice a communicative, Kathleen (hiring manager) was also nice to work with and ran a good interview. I felt I was qualified for this job and could have done it successfully, but, evidently, they felt they had more qualified candidates.
Emerson
IT Manager – Business System Transformation
Submitted application 6/22/21 9:51 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
University of Michigan
Database Analyst
Submitted application 6/23/21 10:02 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received a generic email on 10/28 that the position was filled/closed.
My grade for dealing with them: D+
Microsoft
CSA Manager
Submitted application 6/23/21 4:01 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
Noticed that I was no longer being considered 6/29 9:00 PM
My grade for dealing with them for this position: D
Microsoft
Principal Software Engineering Manager
Submitted application 6/24/21 10:26 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
Noticed that I was no longer being considered 7/8 3:38 AM
My grade for dealing with them for this position: D
Strata Oncology
IT Director
Submitted application 6/24/21 9:20 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
May Mobility
Senior Engineering Manager, Core Technology
Submitted application 6/24/21 10:47 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email 6/28 10:45 AM
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
Didn’t feel real comfortable with this position, not surprised or upset when rejection received and appreciate the quick turnaround and the communication.
Phreesia
Marketing Database Manager
Submitted application 6/25/21 8:30 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
TuSimple
Technical Lead Manager of Enterprise Applications
Submitted application 6/28/21 11:14 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Coupa Software
Technology Project Manager
Submitted application 6/28/21 1:55 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
sent message to recruiter via LinkedIn 7/27 5:13 PM and again on 7/28 9:41 AM
-received zero response, but later noticed she seems to work for a different company now. Doesn’t explain the lack of response, though IMO.
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: F
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Criteo
Sr. Engineering/Technical Program Manager
Submitted application 6/29/21 9:12 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
sent message to recruiter via LinkedIn 7/29 10:24 AM
-received zero response or confirmation of the inquiry
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: F
Notes:
I felt qualified for this position, certainly worthy of a discussion IMO.
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Criteo
Sr. Software Development Lead Data
Submitted application 6/29/21 9:20 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
sent message to recruiter via LinkedIn 7/29 10:24 AM
-received zero response or confirmation of the inquiry
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: F
Notes:
I felt I was very qualified for this position and would have been excited to talk it through with the recruiter or hiring manager, but evidently, they did not agree. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Scribd
Senior Manager, Search Engineering
Submitted application 6/30/21 1:59 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection email received 7/8 9:10 AM
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
I felt interested and excited about this position, definitely felt qualified, but was not engaged for a discussion at all. But, still appreciate the rejection email so I know not to think about this job or company anymore.
Department of the Treasury – IRS
Information Technology Specialist (Data Management)
Submitted application 6/30/21 4:30 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Sent email 7/14 asking for status, received reply 7/15
-Reply indicated that government employees and veterans get first shot and that it is going to be a while before a decision is made.
Received email that I was eligible for the position, but not referred to the hiring manager. 7/29 3:59 PM
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
It was interesting applying for a job with the government. I felt very qualified for this position and it was one of the top jobs that I applied for early in this process that I was hoping to have a chance to interview, but was not given that opportunity. I’m fine with them giving veterans and other employees first chance, but why not limit external visibility unless or until the pool of government employees and veterans is exhausted?
Reynolds and Reynolds
Director of Technology Operations
Submitted application 7/1/21 10:28 AM
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: F
Notes:
Felt qualified, never contacted. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Barracuda Systems
Sr Manager Business Systems Operations
Submitted application 7/2/21 9:29 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection email received 7/5
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
Thought I was qualified enough to at least have a discussion with the company, but nevertheless, I appreciate receiving the rejection quickly.
HDT Automotive
Database Administrator
Submitted application 7/2/21 9:55 AM
Email from Indeed that the role was closed and likely filled by someone else 8/27 1:25 PM
My grade for dealing with them: C-
Notes:
Felt qualified, never contacted. Didn’t get a confirmation email that the application was received, but did get an email from Indeed.com that it was filled.
Peer Solutions Group
Senior DBA
Submitted application 7/5/21 10:08 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
sent message to recruiter (do not have the name) via LinkedIn 7/29 10:30 AM
-received zero response or confirmation of the inquiry
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Lansing Area Federal Credit Union via The Judge Group
IT Manager
Submitted application 7/6/21 9:10 AM
Conversation with Kelly at Judge group 7/27 3:59 PM
Call with Kelly 7/28 12:20 PM
Sent new resume to Kelly 7/28 2:02 PM
Email from Kelly indicated job has been filled 8/10 9:16 AM
Brightwing
IT Manager
Submitted application 7/6/21 10:01 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection email received 7/9 10:01 AM
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
When applying, the title was “IT Manager”, but when received the rejection email the position title had magically changed to “Director of IT”. Interesting change to say the least. Felt qualified when applying, but was not engaged for any discussion. Even so, I still appreciate receiving the rejection email.
MEA
Database Administration Manager
Submitted application 7/7/21 11:45 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email 9/1 8:35 AM
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Felt qualified, but never was received a call or email.
Trucenta
IT manager
Submitted application 7/8/21 9:09 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Microsoft
Technical Advisor
Submitted application 7/8/21 1:48 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection email received 7/9
My grade for dealing with them for this position: D
IHA
Data Integration Developer II
Submitted application 7/9/21 1:53 PM
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: F
Notes:
No communication at all, not even the ‘we received your application’ email. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
General Motors
Senior DBA
Submitted application 7/10/21 5:50 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email 7/31 12:25 AM
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Felt 100% qualified for this position and was very interested in working for GM. Was excited for the opportunity. Never contacted. Perhaps an internal candidate was hired. Not sure, but I can’t imagine hiring a SQL Server DBA and think my resume isn’t worthy of having a conversation, at least. Bizarre.
Amazon
IT Manager
Submitted application 7/12/21 10:17 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Cybercoders
BI architect
Submitted application 7/13/21 10:38 AM
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: F
Notes:
No communication at all, not even the ‘we received your application’ email. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Edward Jones
Team Leader – Technology Delivery – US Remote Work Eligible
Submitted application 7/14/21 3:07 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email 10/21.
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
3+ months to receive any communication seems super long to me.
Consumers Energy
Data Management Lead
Submitted application 7/14/21 4:40 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Phone call from Heather 8/16 8:30 AM to setup interview
Interview with Heather and a few others on the team 8/18 1:00 PM
Email to Heather asking for an update and indicating I had received another offer – 9/3. Never heard back from her.
My grade for dealing with them: B-
Notes:
No idea if I am still being considered for this role. Enjoyed speaking with Heather, enjoyed the interview and was excited at the opportunity to work for this great company, but I had another offer and accepted.
nThrive Revenue Solutions
Manager, Database Technologies
Submitted application 7/15/21 9:35 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Felt qualified and excited at this opportunity, but no idea what happened with it. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
University of Michigan
Data Manager
Submitted application 7/16/21 11:04 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D-
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Conexess
Data architect
Submitted application 7/16/21 12:51 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Inovalon
Data Engineer Manager
Submitted application 7/19/21 2:33 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection email received 7/20 1:14 PM
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
Felt qualified for this position while applying. Obviously, they did not agree and was rejected within 24 hours. Appreciate the quick turnaround.
KLA
Software Engineering Manager
Submitted application 7/20/21 4:44 PM via LinkedIn ‘easy apply’
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
IBM
Senior SQL Server Administrator
Submitted application 7/20/21 7:07 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
8/31 9:36 PM – Received an email from recruiter indicating that the job was located in Radford, VA and not remote. Told him to withdraw my app.
9/2 9:45 PM – Received email that my application was not being considered
My grade for dealing with them for this position: C
Notes:
When I applied, the position had listed “multiple cities”, which included Detroit, MI. But then a month later, the recruiter indicates that it is only in Virginia. This screams of a lack of organization and is quite disapointing.
IBM
Database Manager
Submitted application 7/20/21 7:10 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email from a company called “Kyndryl” 10/9 4:10 PM
My grade for dealing with them: C-
Notes:
Rejection email was nearly 3 months after my application was submitted and there was zero communication in that time span. Plus, the rejection email was from “Kyndryl”, which I understand to be a former division of IBM but there was zero mention of this in the email. Perhaps adding a tag line of “Kyndryl, an IBM company” might be wise.
Lumeris via Collabera
Message from Hannah Lopez from Collabera on LinkedIn 7/22/21
Responded 7/22
Another message from Hannah 8/2
Call from Hannah 8/2 2:00 PM
Call from Allison 8/2 4:53 PM
Interview with Matt and Marcus from Lumeris 8/6 3:00 PM
Call from Allison at Collabera that they are passing 8/10 12:36 PM
My grade for dealing with them: B (at least I got an interview)
Notes:
I felt very qualified for this position. I was told that I was “too management” and “not close enough to the tech work”, which is laughable and wrong on so many levels, but perhaps I didn’t do a good enough job in the interview conveying my technical skills. Very disappointing and frustrating.
GitHub
Software Engineering Manager – trust & safety
Submitted application 7/26/21 3:00 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email 7/30 12:15
My grade for dealing with them: B
Notes:
Did not feel completely qualified for this position and was neither surprised nor upset when the rejection was received. The rejection was quick, too, which is great and shows they are looking at the applicants quickly.
AJM Packaging Corporation
Director of Information Technology
Submitted application 7/26/21 5:31 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection note from LinkedIn 8/16 9:00 AM
My grade for dealing with them: C-
Microsoft
Customer Engineer, Data & AI
Submitted application 7/28/21 11:29 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Contacted by recruiter 11/2/2021 and will speak with her on 11/9.
Interview on 11/9 with Shruti Harish went well. I thought she felt my background and skillset was appropriate except that I did not have much Azure exposure. She indicated that the job would be a dedicated SQL resource assigned to Thomson Reuters, which was my former employer, I told her that I saw no issue with that, but not sure how it would have gone. Ultimately, my lack of Azure experience ended this opportunity and I think I’m fine with that. We did discuss the possibility of coming in as a manager and I indicated that was very appealing.
My grade for dealing with them: B
Microsoft
Cloud Solution Architect
Submitted application 7/28/21 2:33 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
rejection email 7/29 2:27 PM
My grade for dealing with them for this position: D
House of Brick Technologies
Principal Architect / Senior Microsoft SQL Server DBA
Submitted application 7/29/21 10:45 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
PracticeMax via Progilisys
Database Administrator
Stacey from Progilisys reached out on email 7/29/21 2:39 PM
-we exchanged a few emails
Stacey called 8/3 2:14 PM
Discussed role with client in Arizona and she sent my resume
Was told the client was interested but traveling
Followed up each week for the next month and each week was told the person was traveling.
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
What I knew about the position, I was definitely qualified. Was excited at the possibility, but never spoke with anyone at PracticeMax. Felt I was given the runaround. Stacey at Progilisys was very easy to work with and helpful at first, but at some point you have to be able to connect the candidate with the actual client or indicate you are not being considered.
Rock / Quicken Loans
Senior SQL Database Administrator
Submitted application 7/29/21 4:47 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received a generic/boiler plate rejection email that the position had been filled on 11/8. The email did not reference any specific job title or position name, so if I had applied to multiple positions, I’d have no idea which was it was referencing.
My grade for dealing with them: D+
Beaumont
Senior Database Administrator
Submitted application 7/30/21 11:36 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Innovalon
Senior SQL Software Engineer
Submitted application 8/2/21 10:29 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Received rejection email 8/4 8:33 AM
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Have to admit, I don’t remember the details of this position, but based on the title and my 25+ years experience with SQL Server, I’ll hazard to guess that I was qualified and deserving of at least a conversation. Evidently, they did not agree.
Alliance Inspection Management via Blue Chip Talent
Development Manager
Jordan from Blue Chip called 8/3/21 2:14 PM
Was referred by a former colleague at Thomson Reuters
We discussed many roles over the course of the next few weeks, but this specific role of development manager for AIM was first on the list
Interview was 8/12 2:00 PM with 4 or 5 people from AIM. I thought it went well, but they asked a number of questions that were specific to dealing with a development organization and I was trying to apply it to my management of database developers/DBA’s and I do not think they saw that as a fit.
Was told that they liked me, but didn’t think this job was right for the job.
Notes:
Felt qualified but didn’t feel that the client thought I was qualified.
Detroit Tigers
Database Administrator
Submitted application 8/6/21 9:54 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Being a big Tigers fan, I was excited to see this position posted and felt I was qualified for the job. Is it filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
SpotOn
VP of Information Technology
Submitted application 8/6/21 5:26 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Was really unsure on this position because of the title, but based on the job description, I felt qualified. Some companies use titles differently so the “VP” title didn’t scare me after reading the detail. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Conexess
SQL DBA (Remote)
Submitted application 8/9/21 8:28 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Completely qualified for this role, but never got a call. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Daimler AG
Data Modeler / Application DBA
Submitted application 8/9/21 5:18 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Felt somewhat qualified for this role, but never got a call. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
TEKsystems
SQL Database Administrator
Submitted application 8/10/21 8:22 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Completely qualified for this role, but never got a call. Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Pet Supplies Plus
Data Engineer / SQL Developer
Submitted application 8/10/21 3:15 PM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Rejection email received 8/31 3:28 PM
My grade for dealing with them: C
Notes:
Felt qualified for this role and was looking forward to speaking with somebody, but that did not happen. Did receive the rejection email, which is better than not.
HTC Global Services, Inc. via Dice
SQL Database Administrator
Submitted application 8/11/21 10:43 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Empirical Foods
Database Administrator
Was referred to this position by a former colleague at Thomson Reuters.
Emailed the recruiter and sent my resume – 8/18/21 1:59 PM
Call from Robin (recruiter) 8/18 2:15 PM
Interview with the team 8/23 12:00 PM
Trip to South Dakota 8/30
Call from Robin that an offer was being formulated 9/2
Call from Robin with details of the offer 9/3
Accepted offer 9/8
First day as an Empirical employee: 9/20
My grade for dealing with them: A+
Notes:
Everybody I spoke with was fantastic. Robin was accommodating and informative and easy to communicate with. Interview with the team went well. Others I met on-site were great and others in HR were all fantastic. Also, looking back at the dates, it was just over 4 weeks from emailing the recruiter with my resume (8/18) to my first day on the job (9/20). Makes some of these companies that send a rejection email months after you apply seem quite disorganized.
ProQuest
Technology Manager
Submitted application 8/24/21 9:14 AM
-received confirmation email that application was received
Never heard anything
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Is the position filled? Am I still being considered? Was I rejected? I have no idea because there was zero communication.
Thomson Reuters (my former employer)
8/13/21 – Was contacted by a former colleague that the DBA team was in shambles and would I consider potentially returning to TR if it could be worked out. I replied that I was interested in talking and would consider any offer the same as any other offer of employment.
8/13 to 8/26 – lots of emails between myself and my former manager. There was interest on his side and on my side. He also said that his boss had tentatively approved him to gauge my interest.
8/27 – got an email from my former manager implying that “the leadership team” had decided that other roles were more important. I laughed out loud when I read this email for many reasons. One, the DBA role is wide ranging and indicating that you were engaging with the data center for database services covers less than 50% of that. But, more to the point, I feel like I bring so much more to the table than just a DBA. I was an active participant in all leadership discussions and understand how the business operates, how the department operates and how work flows. The idea that any external hire could offer the value that I would bring is laughable. Now, if they are going to “hire” a person but it is really just retaining someone that was supposed to be laid off, that is more understandable but still feel I would bring more value than anyone that could be considered. Evidently, they do not agree, which is also laughable.
My grade for dealing with them: D
Notes:
Ridiculous outcome, but at least they had an informal conversation. Considering the decisions made by the organization beginning with the announcement that 80% of Technology people in Ann Arbor will be laid off in 2021, continuing with my dismissal and other short-sighted choices, the fact that they did not make me an offer to return is not the least bit surprising.
From my Brain to Yours 