That's very ODD if you get an offer but didn't have specific information of what to do and when to reply by. Those basic information is extremely important on all business document. If I am hiring, I need to know that the offer has to be replied by a specified date; otherwise, I'll move on to another candidate regardless of whether I am in a hurry to fill the position or not. This is typical practice in the business arena. We don't send out something without specific instruction. If it really didn't specify on the offer letter, then you don't need to apologize because you didn't know when they need the response from you. Details are very important and I can't believe HR would mess up on that.
It wasn't an offer from HR, it was a question from my interviewer who wanted to know if i was interested in the position, or they will move to someone else. they are in the process of talking to HR to make me an offer.. negiq, would 8 days be too long for a reply if you were hiring an intern? anyways, windows live mail is my new best friend =)
I don't know about IBM but I can tell you my department typical practice. I usually approved of hiring 4-6 interns pending on the workload and needs in the department. My managers do the interview and pick out a list of about 10-20 candidates. I will look over the candidate profiles and toss out whoever I feel do not qualify. (You trust your managers but sometimes, they do give favors to their friends and all) and pass it on to my assistant to call people on my ranking until we fill up the spots. Everyone come in on the same day, get temp card from HR, proceed to brief orientation, and get their assignments. I don't like mail or email for internship. Only formal and regular position will I have HR take over cuz these positions are more important and need extensive background screening and investigation. Back to your question, if I am IBM, I won't hire you. Even when you apply for college, people tell you to always check your mailbox and spambox. Whether you truly forgot or not or whatever, the bottom line is that you have missed the train. I can't even say that cuz you're not even on waiting platform yet ..
I seriously have no idea why does HR of most big corporate have to rely on the damn emails as the gold standards of their communications. The email they sent should be followed up by a call. HR are given budget to spend on stuff like this, BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, when it comes to interns they should be expected to be given hell. Dann, good luck. Best to call them up and explain and be prepared to see them again immediately if they need to interview you again.
Interns are like pawn scum .. lol ... we all gone through that fucked up time .. except me .. lol .. cuz i always take initiative to contribute .. never wait for assignment .. i ask for it.. lol Email .. that's the easier way to communicate these days. Phoning is a burden cuz if you can't get a hold of that person, you gotta leave a msg and wait for them to call you back .. what if that person called and you're not a your desk .. end up like phone tag for a simple temp position .. so yeah .. no .. it's best to keep things simple.
^ sorry but that's just me .. every company and hiring person is different. who know, your application might be a stellar and the hiring manager might see something from it that others don't have ... you just might end up with the job. at this point, it's best to move on and not get your hope high cuz if it's a no, you'll kick into depressing mode. perhaps things are meant to be that way ... with the spam mail and all ..
