Should Every Job Applicant Get a Response?

Q. I’m the hiring manager for an insurance company. I recently posted an ad for an open position in our office. In the past two days, I have received more than 100 responses. Do I need to send a thank-you response (via e-mail, phone, or letter) to each person who expressed interest in the position?
Karyn A.
Gig Harbor, Washington

A. Although it’s not required, you would be doing your company and yourself a service by sending some form of response to all who applied. In your case, given the volume of applicants, I think a form e-mail is fine, something that says “Thank you for your interest in the position. We look forward to reviewing your materials” or whatever is appropriate for your hiring process. By doing that, you’re assuring the applicants that you’ve received their applications (thereby preempting another deluge of e-mails and calls―“Just making sure you got it!”) while fostering goodwill toward your company. After all, even though you’ll wind up rejecting 99 percent of the applicants, there’s always another position bound to open up down the road, so it’s better to err on the side of treating everyone with respect and encouragement.

—Julie Rottenberg