Younger people and millennials
are familiar with the term but if you don’t know what Ghosting is, it is when
someone involved in a relationship of any kind, just vanishes; they just
disappear, stop communicating without reason or notification. It’s the
situation of being left hanging and asking, “what happened, where did they go
we were getting along so well. Why couldn’t they just call …?”
Well, I am referring to the
recent phenomenon of potential employees during the interview process who Ghost
themselves, they just vanish. It is not so much a result of ignorance but more
a lack of foresight and those at the beginning of their careers are more likely
to ghost from a hiring process than more seasoned and experienced professionals.
The economic situation in many
countries is quite good at the moment and with labor shortages, job seekers are
in a good position and the tables have turned from just a few years ago.
However, I want to warn people from ghosting out of a process, not merely because
it is unprofessional behavior, but primarily because they are handicapping
themselves for the future.
Economic cycles fluctuate,
markets change but human nature remains the same. Look, I have been a
headhunter since 1992. I have witnessed recessions in 1992, 2001 and in 2009 so
you should heed my warnings, because there will be another recession sometime
during your career. It is very possible you will encounter some of the same
people during future job changes, who you ‘dissed whether you meant to or not.
And if they remember you, how will that influence your chances?
The solution is simple, if you
don’t want to continue participating in a hiring process, choose to withdraw or
you choose to decline an offer – be an adult, take the time and have the
consideration to notify the other side of your intentions, or the lack thereof.
I have anecdotes I can discuss at length when I spoke about a person, that a
company previously encountered and as a result of a past experience, will not
be considered again. As simply as I can put it, you need only consider the
Golden Rule.
