Interview frustration

I think that the case is, that there are more or less serious people on both sides (it might even be a fact).

Guess that some buyers "forget"  to leave a note, when they hand the job to another provider.

I have posted a job, received 24 bids, requested interview on 4 and have received 0 answers from providers. I guess that's about the same case seen from my position.

good luck to you.

What is the job, can you please post a link?

Regards,

Will

Of cause - feel free to comment:-)

http://www.odesk.com/jobs/Web-researcher_~~a74c82645a0ce0cc?tot=90&pos=2...

/Claus

As a buyer, I have to admit I have been guilty of not getting back to providers to let them know what my decision has been. There are two main reasons:

1. I get excited and caught up in moving forward with the provider I've chosen. Not a good excuse, I know.

2. I did get back to a couple of providers to tell them I had selected someone else, only to have them lay a guilt trip on me. I don't need that.

Knowing how my inaction appears to providers, I will make a sincere effort from here on, to contact providers to let them know I've made a decision.

In return, I ask any providers reading this, to realise it's not easy to tell someone they are not the successful candidate.

BTW, here are the things I look for in choosing a provider:

Demonstrated skill in the area I'm hiring for. That doesn't necessarily mean a certain number of oDesk hours, if the provider has had a lot of experience somewhere else. The professionalism shown with the cover letter is a big contributing factor for me.

Ease in contacting the person. If you live on the other side of the world, getting in touch is not going to be easy for either of us. I've hired someone from a distant country and had nothing but trouble. The political situation was such that he had delay after delay in getting my project done and I finally had to terminate our agreement and find another provider.

A good 'gut' feeling about the person. If I don't feel a connection, I don't hire the person.

If a provider estimates time way off what others are estimating, I can't trust them, and don't consider them any further regardless of having an interview with them.

If I request an interview and the provider takes more than a few hours to get back to me, they're off my list. There are others with keen desire who apparently want the job more. I give them my full consideration.

Hope this helps.

rcurby, thank you for sharing your insight with us. It is really helpful for both Providers and oDesk staff to know what your reasons are, so the Providers can (and we can advise them to) tailor their applications - and behavior - to better suit what you are looking for.

Communication is always the key to building a stronger community that will be beneficial to all.

Regards,
Olga

It's very kind of you that you've spent a good time in writing this post. Thanks for sharing.

Hey rcurby,

I see your point in not responding as I'm reading your comments.

Nevertheless, I still believe it would be nice to tell the provider they are not picked after inviting them for an interview.

I understand it's not easy to have to turn providers down but that comes with the job really same as knowing as a provider that you could be turned down as well.

 I think its extremely unprofessional for a provider to put a guilt trip on the buyer.  Each one has a fair enough change to do their best and be responsible and accurate enough to respond to the right kind of jobs with qualifications required.  So, I really would not feel too bad about denying people that do not read the instructions.

The providers that are eligible but just didn't get picked might be harder to deny but that's where a quick, professional note comes in handy.  If the provider is professional enough they will understand and move on.  I would think.

I understand the part about the 'gut' feeling, I have the same thing being a provider.

I can understand buyers getting excited and wanting to move on after hiring a person.  I still believe it's the decent thing to do to let the others know. 

About the distances. I think this will greatly depend on the person that has been hired. Their mentality and work ethics.  You do have a certain time difference but I believe a good provider takes this in consideration before they even bid or accept an interview.  If you are not willing to work according to the buyers satisfaction or hours than DO NOT BID or accept the interview or job.  Simple is that.

Off course, not everybody does that so than the buyer is the one eating it. 

About the interview reaction.  I believe that is an opinion issue.  When I'm working on a job all day and have not checked my email for say 4 hours it does not mean I would not be interested in a job I would of applied to.  That just means I'm busy and making sure my work is done right and in a timely fashion.  As a provider not everybody can sit on their email all day long just to wait for a buyer to hopefully react.

I've had a couple of does job interview invitations as well.  I usually reply the same day. Depending on how busy I am but I will always reply within 24 hours which I believe is a reasonable amount of time. This will count for both parties I believe.  If the buyer expects you to respond in 1 hour and than the buyer takes 3 days than I would feel the same as what you are describing.  I would not trust this person to be very eager to find someone to get their job done. But I do believe that it does not always mean a person is not interested when it takes lets say 6 hours to reply. 

Now about the estimates.  I give time estimates whenever asked or when I feel it's needed.  Some times times might be off from others but I always explain the reasoning behind my estimates as well.  This way the buyer can still feel comfortable with my effort and interest in the job even though it might not be in a time frame they would like to see.  I believe if you're specific enough and let the buyer know your work ethics and values time can be overcome. 

Off course, not everybody sees things the same way. I don't think everybody takes working online as serious as they should and the other way around as well. Some buyers make me feel as off they don't believe they are talking to an other person on the other end of the chat or email and start demanding and such.  I don't like that.

Anything is possible to discuss and overcome with honesty and professionalism. 

 Anyway, I'm getting carried away here.  Just wanted to let you know my point of view on your comment.

I still believe no matter what reason the buyer should sent invited providers a quick note.  I know some might have a lot of invitations to take care of which might be somewhat time consuming but it will give you a professional look and feel which I believe if for nothing else should make You feel better as well.  That way you never have to feel guilty.  You've done your part, you've been honest and everybody moves on.  That's live, that's freelancing.  If a person does not understand that than they'll be having a hard time building their business and clientèle. 

This also counts for provider to buyer contact I believe.  I respond to each and every interview invitation I receive.  I might decline them or accept them but they will not be left in the dark.  It's not the right thing to do. 

Alright, thanks for you point of view though. I appreciate it.  It makes it easier for us providers to understand the buyers. Especially since I believe there really is not enough info on buyers for providers to explore and see if the person could be right to work for.  You buyers can search all the profiles and see feedback, jobs and everything.  We just get a name and email address and description of the job.  Off course the feedback as well but I like to know more about a person then a number of feedback. 

Hope this helps you.