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[janewales]

I'm chairing a search right now, and have recently sent e-mails to let long-listed applicants know that they are on the long list, and that we will be calling them shortly to schedule interviews. Only a few have acknowledged those messages. Would you respond to such an e-mail, or would you be waiting for the follow-up phone call?

[artsy_122]

I guess I would worry that I would be thought of as a pest to reply to an email like that - unless I had a specific question.  Although it is really nice to send out those emails and if I got one I would be doing a happy dance.  But it wouldn't have even occurred to me to reply - but huh, maybe it would be a good idea?

(note to self - reply to an email like that.)

[digger]

I do reply - very short note saying I am honored to be considered...
Primarily to let them know they sent their email to the right address.

[laurel_knx]

(note to self - reply to an email like that.)

Geez, me too. I agree with others that I might not respond because it wasn't necessary and seemed pestering. I got a phone call to schedule a phone interview and then got a follow up email confirming what we agreed to on the phone. Should I have acknowledged that one?

I think there's a lot of gray area on acknowledging emails, so I hope this thread leads to a consensus-- do we err on the side of too many or too few acknowledgment emails?

[janewales]

I do reply - very short note saying I am honored to be considered...
Primarily to let them know they sent their email to the right address.

Thanks, digger, that of course is one of our concerns. But it's a relief to learn that in fact people may be doing happy dances but studiously staying away from the computer, in order not to appear desperate/ needy/pestish...!

[the_honey_badger]

I made sure to ask each if they still were interested in us and to reply. I have two that haven't after three days!  THAT seems a bit odd.

[janewales]

I made sure to ask each if they still were interested in us and to reply. I have two that haven't after three days!  THAT seems a bit odd.

Radar, that is odd. Do you think that the holiday weekend is a problem? I did have one (absolutely adorable) reply that gave me a pretty much hour-by-hour itinerary for the visit home, along with a wide range of land- and cell- numbers...

[all_my_frenemies]

I would definitely reply to an email saying I was on the 'long list.'

I have wavered on replying to 'application received' emails, but have usually ended up erring on the side of a brief 'thank you for the notification'-style response.

If the email asked for a response (like radar's) then it is weird not to reply. If the email (as in the OP's case) clearly said there would be a follow up phone call, I can imagine some people waiting for that call.

[mad_doctor]

If the email looked like a form-mail or a mailbomb, I might not.  If it was personal from a member of the SC, I would definitely respond with a quick thank-you.

[sugaree]

Only if the alien overlords promise a disease, famine and war-free future (sorry, couldn't resist).

I never did respond until being asked about the possibility of a preliminary interview. But a short, "thank you for the notice, I look forward to hearing more from you in the future" couldn't hurt, I think.

[firstgeneration]

Thus far, I have responded right away to emails that indicate I've made it beyond the "application received" stage and the SC requests an initial interview.  I have yet to receive a long list email, but I would definitely respond to that as well. 

For the sake of the administrative assistant, I haven't replied to any of the application receipt emails.  In a former life (about 15 years ago), I worked as an administrative assistant for two different university departments, so I am hyperaware of what we ask of our support staff.  I would imagine that they are receiving hundreds of applications for postings in my field, especially given the economic situation.  Instead of responding, I click on their link to visit their HR website and fill out the diversity questionnaire.  I always figure that there will be more contact if I make it beyond the general applicant pool.

[polly_mer]

I can't imagine waiting for the call and neglecting to send a brief, "I'm thrilled about the opportunity to talk with you and look forward to your call" email.  Of course, I'm of the opinion that all contact should be acknowledged to indicate my high level of interest in the job.

[noof_]

I can't imagine waiting for the call and neglecting to send a brief, "I'm thrilled about the opportunity to talk with you and look forward to your call" email.  Of course, I'm of the opinion that all contact should be acknowledged to indicate my high level of interest in the job.

I agree. Plus I think it's rude not to respond.

[janewales]

I should clarify-- this was not a mass e-mail, but one in which I introduced the SC, said (admittedly generic) nice things, set out our timeline-- but as I say, it's a relief to know that at least some of the silence may be the result of agonizing over what is or isn't appropriate at this point. And I have had responses, but not from everyone.

[noof_]

I am sitting on two SCs and I can tell you in the age of laptops, smartphones and wireless connections, I can't imagine someone not responding. Unless of course the candidate is no longer interested in the position.