Can I...(job question)

[guest]

Hi Everyone,

I work for an amazing company and have the fortune to work with several Smithies. One of them is the HR rep in charge of hiring for certain positions. We say hi to eachother in the hall and make small talk but aren't good friends.

Here's my question: My husband recently applied for a job at the company and was turned down after a phone screen. I know that my connections cannot get him the job at this point. However, we're honestly a little lost as to why he isn't getting call backs. My gut is telling me I can't ask this woman what went wrong but the information would be soooooo helpful for future job applications.

Posting as guest in case she reads this forum as well.

Advice?
Thanks!

[gearhead]

I don't know about the idea of you talking to the HR rep. That seems a bit shady. However, I think that your husband certainly can contact her without a worry.

I have written to HR interviewers in the past asking, very politely, what I might have done differently in order to get the job so that I might improve my chances. Each time they have been very nice and forthcoming and sounded happy to be asked, and their advice was straightforward and helpful.

Good luck!

[Miranda]

Did the HR woman know that you two are married? Or did she think he was an applicant who was in no way connected to you? If she knows you're married, maybe that's why? Sometimes that can complicate things in the workplace or create different sorts of loyalties, etc.

I think at most, your husband should inquire, but not you (and obviously, it it was because she knew he was your husband, she would never admit that). I think no matter what feedback this HR person gives you, it may still feel like she is dissing your husband, and it might, regardlessly, piss you off and cause tension.

Also, it may have nothing to do with your husband--- maybe there was another applicant with some connections who got the job. There are so many times we blame ourselves for not getting a job, when it's merely that the next person, who is equally or less qualified, knew someone at the company.

[mapgirl]

it would be quite inappropriate and unprofessional for you to approach her on the topic. not so however for him to inquire as to what he could have done better. HE should follow up with an email to her, thanking her for her time and kindly asking what he could have done differently or what she felt his weaknesses were. if it were because he's your husband, he probably would not have made it to phone interview stage.