Over the past few months, I’ve emailed my CV to a lot of agencies. Only one sent an automated “we received your CV” reply - and that tiny gesture already stood out. Or when you submit your CV on a website, some sites only say "Submitted", while others say "Thank you". It’s amazing how far basic acknowledgement goes when you’re job-seeking.
I’ve also found that a quick phone call with an agency can change the whole experience. Even a brief, honest response - “We don’t handle remote roles” or “This one won’t be a good fit” - shows respect. It makes me feel that my time matters too.
Then there’s the salary question. We’re often told not to bring it up first, but that can leave both sides guessing. It’s like listing a PlayStation on Facebook Marketplace with photos, specs, accessories - but no price. A buyer messages you, you chat, you arrange to meet… and only then do you reveal the cost.
He can’t afford it.
You both wasted your time.
None of this is complicated.
A quick acknowledgement.
A short human conversation.
Transparent expectations.
Small things — but they make the whole process feel more balanced, and a lot more humane.
Top comments (1)
This phrase of "It’s like listing a PlayStation on Facebook Marketplace with photos, specs, accessories - but no price. A buyer messages you, you chat, you arrange to meet… and only then do you reveal the cost." ----- is the Best phrase of the whole post!!!
During my experience until nowadays (I am still looking for tech roles, either employment or freelancing) I have lived the same things, the same events, the same facts.🧐
I have experienced both cases - No automated answer at all, and Automated answers like "We received", "We are processing", "Thank you we are evaluating", and of course I have got lots of Rejections. Rejections are also automated to some extent.🛠️🤖
Indeed as @julianaalbertyn says - a straightfwd phone call is making quite some difference, yet I have fallen upon many cases where I cannot find a phone or email available to make that straightfwd contact, as an extra "hit".😡
One other thing I have felt is the "Level of Non-Relativity" that some job ads include.
I saw a job ad this week that had the following description inside
"We are looking for a person to be the Full System Owner of our MSD365 Finance & Operations system"
The candidate must be aware of how to use variables, parameters, setting up ledgers, accounting modules, etc for the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, General ledgers, accounting frameworks, customizing stuff in the system, being aware of how payments work, accounts receivable, payable bla bla bla ....🥴
And at some point in the quite long texted job ad, they say "He must be an experienced professional with Azure DevOps & CI/CD..."😱😡
Pardon me for saying this, but, I THINK that Azure DevOps & CI/CD are related to Backend Engineering - Right? Correct me IF I am wrong....🤪
There is quite an overexaggeration tendency in many job ads I feel.
Best Regards
IV