Forum: workplace.stackexchange.com
Tags: <interviewing><communication><recruitment>
Title: Ghosted by 3 recruiters in a row
Question: So I've been ghosted by 3 recruiters in a row, that is to say, HR recruiters have messaged me on LinkedIn about interesting job opportunities than just not responded to me. One had a phone interview go well, said he would schedule another interview, then didn't reach out to me.   How would I go about figuring out what's going wrong? Bad luck? Something else?   How am I supposed to react to being ghosted?

Answers:
sents: text: Processing job applications is a high-volume job depending on your industry.
text: Three interviews is a drop in the bucket.
text: I wouldn't worry about it.
text: But you absolutely must pay attention to your technique, see what works and what doesn't, and refine as appropriate.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/9549/rath
score: 12
sents: text: There isn't a lot you can do about being ghosted by a recruiter.
text: That's kind of the point.
text: If they stop reading your emails, you can't yell at them.
text: One thing you can do is to blackball these recruiters yourself.
text: Take note of the companies these recruiters work for, and the next time a recruiter from the same company contacts you, simply say, "Sorry, I've worked with your company in the past and been ghosted, I'm not going to waste my time talking to you a second time.
text: Thank you, goodbye".
text: I have done this in the past, and the recruitment company has come back to me practically begging me on their hands and knees to work with them.
text: Or sometimes they'll just go away forever.
text: In the former case, it's really up to you as to whether or not to give them a second chance.
text: Personally, I would give them a second chance, but make it known to them that they are my bottom priority in terms of my job hunt, something like "I'm willing to work with you, but be aware that due to my past experience, I don't entirely trust your professionalism.
text: As a result, I will consider recruitment work from my other recruiters more seriously than your work".
text: Basically, I am very passive-aggressive with these types of people; in my opinion, ghosting is basically the cardinal sin of recruitment, so I have little patience for these companies or the people who work for them.
text: In the latter case, you've just saved yourself a whole bunch of headache.
text: If they're not even ready to contest with you that they ghosted you and try to plead their case and fix their reputation, then screw them.
text: Count
text: yourself lucky they don't want to waste your time talking to them.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/88183/Ertai87
score: 5
sents: text: I wish finding a good job was as easy as 3 applications being done.
text: Agencies deal with a high volume of candidates, unless you strike a chord with your recruiter is is likely they wouldn't recognize you on the street if you had a sign over your head.
text: Do the following:
text: After an interview, phone or otherwise, send an email to the interviewer (if possible if not recruiter) thanking them for the opportunity of the interview, mentioning something about the interview that you liked (maybe something about the company which you have gone home to research), ask them for any feedback they may have and finish with "looking forward to working with you".
text: It reminds the person of the interview.
text: If it was a face-to-face interview, ask for a bussiness card if they have one so you can send the email.
text: If you received messages on Linkedin (that's how I got my current job), follow up on the messages a couple of days later.
text: Ask "Hi [person], is there some time today we can catch up on the phone regarding the position you messaged me about?".
text: Simple, no response=drop it and move on.
text: As mentioned above, try different things during interview, some techniques are better than others on the career that you are applying for.
text: And have fun!
text: If you walk into a building that gives you the feeling you couldn't be there 9-5 everyday, then try something wacky in the interview.
text: You are not wasting their time, both of you are looking for a perfect fit candidate.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/98181/fireshark519
score: 2
sents: text: Most likely those emails aren't from an actual person.
text: It's a mass email to get people to apply who meet some criteria they set in the app.
text: You shouldn't be waiting for people to come to you.
text: Go to these companies and apply!
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/40006/Dan
score: 2
sents: text: How am I supposed to react to being ghosted?
text: It should not, but here in my country (Brazil)
text: being ghosted happens quite often.
text: It is an bad / irresponsible HR behavior not providing any kind of feedback regarding a job apply.
text: In general terms, as for my experiences here in Brazil, most company's HR staff are simply incompetent.
text: Believe me, in 90% of cases the problem is not you .
text: Stay cool and keep aplying.
text: I believe one of the symptoms of a bad company (the kind you should not consider working to) is the poor HR interactions with people being recruited.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/98570/wes85melis
score: 2
sents: text: I wouldn't bother with the ones who just messaged you and left you hanging, because they're as likely to be phishing as making genuine inquiries, but if someone took the time for an interview it's worth following up after a week or so.
text: They may have some feedback as to why your application didn't go any further, other jobs to put you forward for, or just some words of encouragement.
text: Sometimes it's good to know that you're doing nothing wrong, and just need to keep at it.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/99101/Matthew Barber
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Don't worry about it. Think about your interview technique for future applications. Don't consider offers from companies that have already done this to you.
People would generally say that there is little you can do about this and you shouldn't let the experience bother you. However, you might wish to pay closer attention to your interview technique in future, and if the experience really has bothered you, simply inform those recruiters that have ghosted you that you do not wish to be contacted by them in the future.