By Ashley Croneis
In this era of digital communication and instantaneous connections, the phenomenon of being “ghosted” has transcended the realm of personal relationships and made its way into the professional world. Let’s talk about that.
You’ve meticulously refined your resume, composed a perfectly worded cover letter, and are confidently submitting your application to potentially begin a new professional venture. As most of us are aware, embarking on the journey to find a new career can resemble a rollercoaster. And when you engage with a recruiter, you’re not just unlocking doors to potential opportunities that might have previously eluded you; you’re also introducing a third party into the equation. Thus, the significance of fostering a professional, transparent, and honest relationship with a recruiter and agency you trust, which you can read more about here.
So, what next? Perhaps a recruiter approaches you or responds to discuss the details of a role you’re interested in. You delve into the job requirements, the company culture, perks, and growth potential. You share your experience, qualifications, and career expectations. The excitement of this opportunity is palpable!
You secure a pre-screen, followed by an interview. This a huge accomplishment, especially in our current market, teeming with highly qualified and equally hungry candidates. You’re feeling reassured and confident, you start to visualize yourself thriving in the role, and the anticipation of a new chapter in your career becomes almost intoxicating. However, with this excitement comes vulnerability.
And now, we wait. You’ve sent a well-crafted and thoughtful ‘Thank you’ email, established a seamless rapport with the hiring team, and the compensation and benefits are appealing. Yet, several days have passed and silence prevails. After a friendly check-in, the recruiter lets you know the client is still considering candidates and we don’t yet have any additional information on the next steps. Days go by that feel like weeks and weeks feel like months.
You were so confident, and you invested so much of your time in this one opportunity. The silence is deafening, and the uncertainty and frustration are disheartening. So, what’s happening behind the scenes, and why aren’t you receiving any updates? Let’s go through what could be happening.
What we can control: As recruiters, we’re filtering through thousands of resumes and diligently work countless hours searching for the perfect profile with the perfect work history and education, for a variety of clients, all of whom are looking for their very own unicorn. This is often why clients opt to collaborate with agencies – to offload heavy lifting! Our days are methodically planned, and we strive to reach out, stay in touch and provide as many updates as possible to the many candidates we connect with. We’re still being asked to present candidates, you’re not receiving feedback because the client is still considering applicants, including you.
What we cannot control: Beyond the juggling act, clients often have internal shifts and changes that we may not be privy to and often are not immediately communicated to us. They could be working with multiple agencies, the CEO could have impromptu travel plans, the internal hiring team might pivot without our awareness, or the position you’ve interviewed for could have been placed on indefinite hold. The possibilities are endless, and in fact, as recruiters, we could be the ones being ghosted, not you.
A good agency will always be honest with you and share updates as they’re received. If you find yourself consistently digging for responses and needing to follow up repeatedly, then you might be partnering with the wrong recruitment team.
Silver lining lessons from being ghosted:
Professional Resilience. Rejections are a natural part of the process, and how you respond and bounce back from them can define your growth.
Self-Reflection. Evaluate your career goals and aspirations.
Improve Application Strategies. Refine your application materials, seek feedback to enhance your resume, and never, ever put all your eggs into one basket.
In the world of recruitment, being ghosted might be a prevalent reality but it doesn’t define your potential or worth. Your skills, experience, and passion remain unchanged, irrespective of a recruiter’s response. As you navigate the unpredictable waters of job hunting, remember that your journey is uniquely yours – filled with valuable lessons, personal growth, and untold opportunities.