Ghosting
- Laketta Harmon
- Oct 23, 2017
- 4 min read
"Ghosting"-why is this even a term that job seekers have, had to learn about or more importantly, face? Why is this act becoming more and more common in modern society for job seekers who're seeking new opportunities? I can understand, if you come across someone who is just looking for a "job" or simply a “paycheck”- but what about that person who is simply pursuing their passion, eager to be a part of a company and master their craft, join a company that not only acknowledges their worth but invests in them as well, or someone who is just looking for a chance to see their goals or dreams manifest? What do you say to someone like that?
I work in the profession Human Resources, H= "Human"...but I wonder- has the "Human" aspect of HR been lost? Has it been forgotten that at the end of the day a job candidate is simply a "human being"? Someone who took time to learn about your company, prepare for and eagerly show up for an interview (and was probably nervous out of pure excitement at the possibility of joining your company), keep in touch with you via phone/e-mail showing interest in an open role-(not to mention that hiring manager/recruiter was just as communicative during that timeframe), and taken the time to complete online apps or whatever other tasks are required, phone interviews and so forth- and yet after the interview: nothing. The candidate may have even left either a curtesy "thank you" note or sent a follow-up e-mail or two (if time has passed with no reciprocated communication), and still nothing. No communication, no further follow-up, just as if your lives may have never crossed paths before resulting in the term most can relate to: Ghosted.
Let’s go a little further. After several follow-up attempts to whomever the candidate may have interviewed with conveying their interest in the role with zero success- the candidate now tries to seek feedback. Feedback as to what may have gone right vs. wrong, what are some areas of improvement, or perhaps feedback on the candidates demeanor and so forth (first impressions are still important and could be a deal breaker at times)-simple communication and constructive criticism to help the candidate grow as an individual- and there is still no response. How do you explain that? Why is this so much more prevalent today in most job seekers search for new opportunities?
Where did common curtesy go or just simple consideration for someone actually being a human being as some type of communication should occur? Often times I come across various recruiters/hiring managers that say things like “I’m just too busy,” “I don’t have time to contact every person I have interviewed,” or my favorite “they should know if they haven’t heard anything by now.” On the flip side I’ve also met some recruiters that try their best to follow up with candidates and sometimes things get in the way as to having to meet certain deadlines or being quite overwhelmed in their workloads. However, be it as it may-it takes just a moment to do a simple follow up whether it be by phone or e-mail-but somethings goes a much longer way than nothing.
Take a trip down memory lane with me for a second: There was a time when you were the candidate yourself. A time where you were searching for that perfect role, or just hoping someone out there would recognize your potential and skills enough to say “Yes.” Eagerly awaiting a call or just some type of communication after putting in a lot to learn more about the role/company, taking the time to show up to your interview or apply for the job online-all with the hopes to be selected for that role? Now that I have you where I want you- think how it felt when you didn’t hear back…
This post is not to bash anyone or any company in particular which is why no such information is included. As an HR professional myself that has worked in the industry for years, I’ve seen this happen time and time again. And I can I’ve also been on the receiving end myself of being "ghosted" when its come to seeking new opportunities. Yet I still continue to put myself out there in hopes that I will find the right match for myself, and I encourage job seekers to do the same.
Either way there is no excuse for why “ghosting” should be something a person should accept or just have to get used to: You’re never too busy and the bottom line is, you never want someone who was once eager and excited about your company to lose interest or respect only because you didn’t follow up in some way. Keep those lines of communication open (word of mouth travels fast), but most of all stop with any and every excuse as to not getting back to someone because that’s all it is an excuse-it really doesn’t take much. I would just highly encourage those who may have been one to engage in "ghosting" at one point or another- just remember any type of communication is better than no communication at all.
For more information on “ghosting” and tips to combat it, I’ve included below links to some great articles.
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