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You’re talking to someone new you met online (or, if you like getting rejected in public like me, in real life). Things seem to be going well for days and weeks. And then, out of nowhere, nothing. Zero communication. You rack your brain trying to think if maybe you texted an offensive joke or an absurd string of GIFs that put the other person off. Finally, you shrug your shoulders and move on with your life. The digital age has made it extremely easy to break off contact with people, and unfortunately this phenomenon isn’t just associated with dating.
Employment ghosting is a very real thing that I have had experience with. It goes like this: You’re plugging away, sending applications on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, Mediabistro, Idealist, Craigslist (don’t judge me), and any other platform you can find. You stare blankly at the screen, hoping someone will get back to you. You tailor cover letters and resumes to each job, and send attachments with writing and project samples to try and make your application stand out. You wait. And then you wait some more.
And then you get an email. “I saw your resume on ________________ and it seems like you’re a good match! Please call me ASAP.” You call. You chat for a little while about your experience and how you’re suited for the job. The person on the other line seems cheerful, but you’re not swayed — they’re SUPPOSED to sound like that. After 10-15 minutes, they end the call saying they’ll contact you again with more information. You thank them and hang up.
And then? Radio silence. Days turn into weeks turn into months and you’re still right where you started. During this time, you email and leave voicemails asking if there’s anything else you can do. These, too, are unanswered. You take a deep breath and throw your resume into the void once again.
This form of ghosting can easily be avoided. Letting people know whether they are in contention for a position is easy. JUST TELL THEM. I’d rather concretely know either way so I can move on with my life and focus on other opportunities if need be. I realize companies have a lot going on that takes precedence over potential new hires, but a simple “we’re moving forward with someone else” email takes 45 seconds to write.
Whether they’re giving someone the news of their lives or a quick “thanks but no thanks,” it’s much better for companies to give people an answer. Employment ghosting takes a toll. It’s hard enough trying to find new jobs. This is a simple way for companies to make it easier..
Respond
Parker Jammstein
Stand-up comic. Soccer nerd. Water polo enthusiast. Eater of burritos. NY/NJ.
From the other side…if you are no longer interested in coming in for an interview, or in the job, or got the job and decided you don’t want to work for said company anymore, please just tell us.
I have been ghosted by (this is not an exaggeration) 25% of potential new hires BEFORE THEIR FIRST DAY in 2018, which really sucks for the people that were turned down to hire you instead
I’ve sent HR e-mails like this in similar situations and once somebody from the company CALLED ME to thank me for letting them know. It sucks that this happens too.
I had an employer misspelled my name in the rejection email. Thanks for taking the time of not caring to easily type my name from my resume. Fuckers.
But it was a response so…………….YAY!
How the fuck does one misspell General William T. Sherman?
My bet is “Tecumseh” threw ’em off
I’m more annoyed right now with companies that respond two months after I sent in an application. Um no I’m still not interested in the job, I already accepted an offer from a company that had their shit together
I’ve received e-mail rejections 6+ months out. Just…c’mon what are you even doing.
I’m not talking about rejections, I’m talking about interview request. Why on God’s green earth does a company take two months to decide weather byo bring me in or not.
That’s how I got my current job. My company eventually realized they needed more reps and hired 15 of us. I believe I sumbitted my resume 2 months before.
I mean I feel like that just means they didn’t have an opening for you but held on to your resume? Do you follow up? If the answer is no they’ll tell you over a follow up call. At least that’s always been my experience.
They didn’t tell me anything for 2 months. Than they called me out of the blue and set up the interview process.
how everybody just stop ghosting everyone. It’s not that hard
I’m currently semi-looking for a new job, and a dozen jobs have ghosted me. One job offered me the position well over a month following my interview, with absolutely no contact between the offer and the interview. While the money wasn’t great, I turned it down simply because of the “process”. Got a call for another position last Thursday and they left a voicemail. Today was my third phone call back with no answer (this is a law firm with 1000+ employees). The person who called me may be out, but at least put that on your voicemail. Sad!
Law firms are absolutely the worst about this. This is why I use a recruiter now. HR and recruiting will never ghost if you use a recruiter.
I’ve found BigLaw is the worst about this. Smaller law firms generally have the decency to communicate with you. But a lot of the bigger firms simply don’t give a shit.
I once found out I didn’t get a job because my friend posted on facebook that he got that job.
Same, except it was someone I graduated with (in the same program) and he posted it on our groupme
In the span of 30 mins I was told I didn’t qualify for the job, was in consideration for said job, then told someone else was hired for the job.
Out of college I got offended when I never heard back from applying online to jobs but I got an automated rejection email once and realized I didnt really need that. Now when im looking for a job I just spray out applications like a peter north bukakke so I really dont want my inbox full of rejection emails. My industry is hurting enough for qualified people that its pretty rare to be ghosted once a real person contacts me.
Strong agree. When I’m hunting I’m sending applications like crazy, if I see something in my inbox it better be because I’m in consideration. Seeing an email only to find out it was a rejection would piss me off.
Had a huge company ghost me after they reached out to me, and they had me come downtown on three different occasions for half day interviews. WTF. Hire someone else if you want, but don’t let me think I was basically offer in hand and then disappear.
The best is now a year later after being gainfully employed, certified and (some) experience, some of the old HR people send me emails about job openings “if you’re still interested.” LOL fuck right off.