Why You Shouldn’t Ghost Your Recruiter

In the dating world, ‘ghosting’ is that dreaded term for when a person cuts off all communication with someone they are dating with zero warning or notice beforehand.

Shocking I know, but I think if we are brutally honest, we have all done it in one form or another. We are now seeing ‘ghosting’ entering the workplace when applicants are in the process of interviewing for a position and then fall off the face of the Earth without any reasoning or explanation. This is not too surprising, as we seem to live in this world where many have the mindset that they can turn their phone off and wish the awkward situation away. However, it’s naïve to behave in this way, as you can create an unprofessional reputation quickly ( not to mention worrying people unnecessarily).

We have experienced instances of job seekers accepting offers of a new role and upon being counter offered by their existing employer, have changed their mind under pressure and not communicated this with their recruiter or potential new employer. We appreciate that your driving factors and motivations may change throughout the process and that you are wanting to negotiate the best opportunity, so all we ask is that you communicate with us from day 1 so we can manage expectations effectively and diffuse situations straight away. When we know the full story, we can then assist you and the hiring manager, with both of your interests at heart.

The hiring managers we deal with have all been part of their own interview process at some point and will understand that motivations may have changed. Yes, they are also human beings and not just HR robots! And yes, it may be disappointing news for them to hear that you’re not going to be their new exciting team member, but I can assure you that they would wholeheartedly appreciate understanding why you have made this decision, instead of receiving radio silence. Managing your relationship with your recruiter is key when you are seeking your next opportunity, as they have the contacts within the market that will likely land you in your dream role and are likely to be across opportunities that are not listed. So don’t be short-sighted and don’t take your recruiter for granted, as many recruiters assist their job seekers throughout their entire careers, which can be over 10 to 20 years and more.

To hear more about how people2people can assist you in your job search, please give Aimee Burton a call on 03 9098 7433