i dont kno u

If you've been keeping up on these posts, you'll know that texting is a huge part of the job. We will text you after you apply to let you know your application has been received. We will text you after we call and leave a voicemail to let you know we're calling about the application that has been received. We will text you to let you know we have final feedback from your recent interview with the supervisor, and that we'd like you to call us to discuss the details. We will text you to tell you you're fired because you haven't shown up for work in 3 days and refuse to answer your phone or call us back so we can verbally tell you you're fired.

You get the gist.

I keep a pretty close eye on our text inbox because we want to ensure texts get a quick reply. There is a non-trivial convenience factor for both sides. Question. Answer. Get the job done. Boom. Anyway, I was checking the text inbox and noticed a candidate had replied to a text we sent out stating that we were following up on the application he submitted for XX company and would like to speak with him further.

The candidate's reply? "i dont kno u"

I guess, technically, he was right. He didn’t know us. However, I'm not sure why that's particularly relevant since we indicated why we were reaching out in the first place. Most people don't just pick a number out of a phonebook (yes, I still have some in my kitchen) and crank-text people with overly specific information. Sure, crank-calling was a thing back in the day before caller ID and all the spam-blocking stuff out there. Now, though, there is really no point unless you are going for the Law of Large Numbers method by spamming folks with dire warnings about an expired home warranty. But…that tends to stray into generic territory (What home? I rent!).

Odds are good I’m not going to menacingly text you about something as specific as an extrusion technician position with X company in Y city for which you submitted an application.

Never one to dwell too long on stupidity, I marked that text as 'read' and moved on with my day. If that guy is going to take the time to point out that we are strangers despite us declaring the reason for reaching out, then I'm going to take the extra time I have by not replying to his text to...well...probably read another asinine text or reject another applicant on the never-ending list.