Is Ghosting a Recruiter a Wise Choice?
Human nature constantly seeks ways to avoid uncomfortable situations, and job searching is no exception. How you handle these challenges speaks volumes about your character and professionalism.
Once a professional recruiter identifies you as a strong candidate for a position, they invest time, energy, and expertise into helping you succeed. A good recruiter doesn’t just submit your résumé; they prepare you for interviews, provide insights about the employer, and advocate on your behalf. After your interview, they follow up to understand your impressions, gauge your interest, and relay feedback to the hiring manager.
If the interview goes well and you express interest, the recruiter moves the process forward, increasing your chances of receiving an offer. Their job is to create the right match that benefits both you and the employer.
The Impact of Ghosting
Life happens. You may get another offer, experience a change of heart, or simply feel overwhelmed. However, disappearing without explanation “ghosting” can damage your professional reputation. A simple text or call to let the recruiter know your situation is a sign of courtesy and respect, even if you’re no longer interested in the role.
Consider the consequences:
- Burned Bridges – The recruiter invested time in your success. If you ghost them, they are unlikely to consider you for future opportunities, including those with better compensation or benefits.
- Damaged Reputation – If a hiring manager learns you ghosted their recruiter, it reflects poorly on your reliability and professionalism, potentially eliminating you from future roles at that company.
- Missed Opportunities – You might believe there are plenty of companies looking for your skills, but if ghosting becomes a habit, you’ll find more doors closing than opening.
A Better Approach
Instead of avoiding the conversation, be upfront with your recruiter. If the offer isn’t right for you, let them know what you’re looking for. A great recruiter has industry connections and may know of an opportunity that aligns better with your goals. By maintaining open communication, you keep possibilities open rather than shutting them down.
In the end, professionalism and courtesy can set you apart. A simple conversation today could lead to your ideal role tomorrow.
EXPECT SUCCESS!
Permission to Reprint Articles by Bill Humbert
Permission is granted to all print, broadcast, and electronic media to reprint articles authored by Bill Humbert, provided the following conditions are met:
- Inclusion of Contact Information
- The article’s closing bio and contact information must be included in full.
- For electronic publications, a live, clickable link to https://www.RecruiterGuy.com must be included within the body of the article.
- Provision of Published Copies
- For print publications, one physical copy of the publication featuring the article must be mailed to:
Provocative Thinking Consulting, Inc.
2590 Norwich St.
Fitchburg, WI 53711 - Fee for Non-Compliance
- A fee of $300 per article will be charged for articles published without the closing bio and contact information.
- Editing and Adjustments
- Permission includes reasonable edits for:
a. Content updates and industry-specific examples.
b. Adjustments to article length.
c. Changes to article titles. - Electronic Publishing Requirements
- All electronic publications must include a live, clickable link to https://www.RecruiterGuy.com.
For any questions or clarifications, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Bill Humbert at Bill@RecruiterGuy.com.
Bill Humbert’s Bio
With over 40 years of expertise as a Professional Talent Attraction Consultant and 26+ years as an Expert Career Coach, Bill Humbert is uniquely positioned to speak, author, and consult on Talent Attraction, Career Search, and Goal Setting.
Having presented to audiences on three continents (Europe, Africa, and North America), Bill’s career began in 1981 as a fee-based recruiter in Washington, D.C. In 1990, he founded his consulting business, shifting to a flat monthly fee model and successfully serving companies across diverse industries, including telecom, construction, financial services, manufacturing, management consulting, and renewable energy.
Notably, Bill recruited the Chief Operating Officer for a restaurant chain, with her tenure starting on March 1, 2023.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill demonstrated thought leadership by authoring 104 consecutive weeks of #TalentAttractionTuesday and #JobSearchFriday blogs, which are available on RecruiterGuy.com. He has a rich Article Bank with 400+ Articles.
As a career coach, he has guided hundreds of professionals toward successful career transitions over the past 26 years. He is also the author of three career search books, including the highly acclaimed EXPECT SUCCESS! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search, which received a 5-star review on Readers’ Favorite.
