Employers and recruiters - Stop just talking about mental health and start walking the walk.

Isn't it great how when you fill in a job application form or read a job description, there's nearly always a bit about mental health and how important it is to the company and how they strive to make sure all measures are put in place to consider all mental health needs? Isn't it good that they hold these values dear and express them in such a way? No, not really, because, in my own recent experience and talking to several others, right now it seems like just words.

It would be like that if a massive majority didn't fall at the first hurdle - by not even acknowledging or replying to the applicant. Now I am a big boy, I can take it, and I know it's not personal, but it is however just plain rude, and hypocritical as well. I worry for people that do take it personally and get genuinely upset by it, and I know these people exist.

The application processes is the first chance for that person to learn what a company is about, and for that company to start living and proving its values, otherwise they are indeed just words.

Applying for a job takes time and effort. Some applications have several (sometimes difficult/slightly cryptic) questions that mean you need to put a good amount of effort into your answers. Some ask for a cover letter, which many of us write for each role rather than a generic one. Some will tweak our CVs to make them particularly appealing for that role. We will do desk research on the company, look at their website and latest work etc.

Like I said, time and effort; sometimes over an hour on a single application, fine-tooth-combing and checking everything is alright. This also takes physical and mental energy. And when you apply for something you think you would be great at, having spent days looking at roles that aren't quite right, you get a buzz of excitement, and even a bit of that dreaded word...hope.

So, we put in this effort and positivity, then we wait. And more often than not, nothing happens. You hear nothing back at all.

I have applied for over 30 jobs. I have had 5 automated email replies saying my application has been received and that I would hear from them (in some cases only if suitable). In 1 case I got a reply saying I wasn't right for the role, giving me no reason why. I replied asking why and got nothing back. 1 company replied positively and I did then begin the interview process, I unfortunately didn't get it, having had to wait 4 weeks to hear that news - I had been told it would be 1 week and had no communication until I contacted someone unsolicited via LinkedIn to nudge them to be told I would be hearing from HR soon, then it took another week.

I have had 1 reply from a recruiter, who said they would stay in touch after a phone call and email exchange during which I established the role wasn't right for me. Since then I have not heard from them. They are the only recruiter bar the wonderful Russell White (who saw a previous post of mine and connected purely just to chat and give me welcome advice) who has bothered to contact me by email or phone. I have registered online and uploaded my resume with 18 different recruiters.

All of this from companies who claim to care about mental health and wellbeing. If they did, here is what would actually happen (none of which is difficult):

1. A thank you email to all applicants - and not from a noreply address.

2. Communication as to whether the application was successful or not.

3. Explanation as to why any application was unsuccessful.

4. Timelines given and adhered to, and if anything was delayed, the application would be informed ahead of the deadline and be given a new time to expect to hear back.

If employers and recruiters really want to consider people's mental health, they need to a step back and stop thinking about it just from their perspective. Don't think "brilliant, we have 6 good possibilities out of 70 applicants, let's get onto them". Yes, contact them of course, but also think about the other 64 people who gave their time and effort to put themselves forward, and at the very least send them a generic email saying they were unfortunately unsuccessful but can contact for any feedback should it be required.

A vast majority of unsuccessful applications would not reply, and will accept they weren't successful, but will definitely appreciate the email. For the people who seemed to have very relevant experience and were most likely to be really keen on the job and hoping to proceed in the process, they would probably like to understand why they were unsuccessful and are owed that much.

That's one area that did get me - the excitement of "that job seems perfect for me!" and then getting absolutely nothing back. It's like gathering up the courage to ask out the person you've fancied for ages, only for them to turn and walk away without even a reply! In a world where mental health is supposedly on the agenda, that's atrocious behaviour and makes me think a lot of mental health talk is indeed just talk.

Caring about mental health isn't just about words in job descriptions and on websites. It's not just about putting useful links on your company intranet for your employees who might be in need. It's just not about getting an inspirational speaker in once a year or (and this is great, though) filling a room with puppies for a day for your staff to play with. Those things are good, and can definitely help, along with many other measures. But there's one thing, one word, that should happen way before any other words and strategies. It is needed all the way through the process, from someone filling in a job application right through to leaving their role within that company however long later. One word. One simple word, and it will be the last word I say on this matter. EMPATHY.