Complete candidate ghosting after application.
I submitted my application via the Kantar Media website, but never received confirmation that it had been submitted.
The following week, I contacted a school alumnus who works at Kantar Media to find out more about the company. I then messaged on LinkedIn a recruiter from the office I’d applied to, to say that I’d spoken with someone at Kantar Media who had reinforced my interest, and that I simply wanted to confirm they had received my application. No reply.
Next, I messaged another recruiter in the London office on LinkedIn with the same request - again, no response. After 3 weeks of silence, I called the office number listed on the website.
The person who answered said that many candidates call for the same reason, but that it's 'against their policy' to pass such requests on to the recruitment team. They told me that if I didn't hear back, it would mean that they were not interested.
For a global company, this seems both inappropriate and unprofessional. Candidates invest time in applying, researching the organisation and following up. The least the company can do is acknowledge applications and provide some basic clarity.
Key takeaway for candidates: Don't expect confirmation or feedback, even after following up proactively.
Advice for Kantar: At least send automatic acknowledgements and provide simple status updates. Treat applicants with the same professionalism that you expect from them.