I get a ton of unsolicited emails asking for a job. They’re always from very qualified people, I just can’t hire everybody.
I happened to mention this to, of all people, my mother (a retired librarian who helps out now at my business) and she said I should answer every email even if I’m not interested because it’s the professional thing to do.
Do you agree?
Unsolicited I wouldn’t say there’s any obligation to respond, but I think it’s a nice thing to do; you never know when your paths may cross again.
As a candidate to an actual job posting, something that really stings is when I clearly put a lot of time/effort into a cover letter and get absolutely nothing from the employer. Some HR people will say ignoring unsuccessful applicants is best practice to avoid starting a potential conflict, but IMO it shows a basic lack of decency and I add that business to a personal blacklist of places I won’t patronise or recommend to others.