How ghosting can not only break your company but it can also break you

We often come across ghosting not only when looking for a job but we also see it in day-to-day communication. Have you ever met someone online, who completely cut you off, never reaching out to you again, following a few days of intensive texting? Then, you have been a victim of ghosting. Why is it not worth it to cut communication off by ghosting? Let’s take a look at it!

We had recently been in touch with a candidate, who was interested in a specific position. However, after some time, he just cut us off without giving us an explanation. This happens quite often, especially when you are looking for a job and trying to communicate with companies, which are not replying to your emails. This is quite unpleasant for everyone. Therefore, we have decided to shed some light on ghosting!

What exactly is ghosting?

Today’s world, in which more communication takes place online, without face-to-face interaction, provides a wide range of communication enhancements. In addition, it has also led to a sad phenomenon, where not only partners break up with one another by simply not responding to texts. Based on our experience, something similar often happens when we arrange interviews with candidates. Oftentimes, after setting the interview up, the candidate stops replying, without providing us with an explanation.  

Why doesn’t ghosting pay off?

Ghosting from the side of the candidate is not a good idea because it could lead to issues in the future. It doesn’t matter if the candidate stopped communicating right after he sent his CV, after arranging the interview or simply did not show up on his first day on the job. There are certainly excusable reasons for this kind of communication. However, unfortunately, this kind of behaviour could be harmful to you in the future.

Nowadays, it is common for companies to keep records of their candidates. Therefore, your next interview may not go as smoothly as if you were to call and apologize for not making it the first time around because you had decided to accept another job offer instead, therefore called off this interview. You never have to see the person in question again and by making a one-minute phone call, you are saving yourself from any potential issues that could arise when applying for another job. Moreover, you end up helping the HR department because it now has time to tackle other issues. :-)

Unfortunately, companies also do it

Unfortunately, companies are also to blame for bad communication. I’m sure you have also been a target… You send your CV to the stated e-mail address, you wait two weeks for a reply and get nothing. Yet, you know that the selection process was finalized a few days ago. Yes, there is a possibility that the company has overlooked you and forgot to reply. In this case, the best thing to do is call the HR department and ask them how you made out in the process.  

No good comes out of such a situation because not only does a company evaluate the candidate but the candidate also evaluates the company. Not receiving a reply to an email is disappointing to the candidate and could result in the company’s bad reputation in the eyes of potential candidates, who are, unfortunately or fortunately, walking ads and share their negative experience with their surroundings. 

Therefore, we always try to be considerate when it comes to communication, whether it be from the side of the future employer or future employee. Time is precious and I am sure everyone wants to make the best of it. Although reading bad news is tough, it is better than not knowing where you stand. :-) Hats off to communication.

Is there anything we did not mention in this article? Do you have any questions? Contact us!