In the most optimistic scenario, you would want to be the one who gets the job. Companies get a new hire and you, your dream role. Everyone is content and happy.

Not so fast. The Great Resignation following the pandemic has left companies with more open positions… and led to a lot of ghosting. That still doesn’t justify their actions.. apparently ghosting is nothing new! Employers and job seekers ghost each other often. While job hunters look for new job opportunities, employers continue to cast their nets in the pool of talents. The results? Both are met with new possibilities. Companies get applicants pouring in. Normally, you would think that companies would want those vacant seats filled up. And rightfully so. I mean that’s perfectly reasonable. But something does not add up here... if that’s really the case, why would they give you false hope by passing you in interviews round after round only to leave you hanging with not a single word from them?

Before jumping into any conclusions, let’s start small by understanding their reasoning. Once we have established that, we can take it from there and strategize our next move to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

(Source: Stephen Phillips on Unsplash)

Why Companies Ghost

You are probably blaming yourself for being ghosted and letting your negative thoughts get to you as you reflect back on your previous interviews. I’m here to tell you that most of the time, it’s not even your fault!! You got invited to the interview for a reason.

Companies large and small expect - and want - the best (performance) from their potential employees. They have to take as long as they want to select the ideal candidate. There is nothing wrong with that.

Cutting off all communication with a prospective employee is another story. In all fairness, this may or may not be the companies’ fault, entirely. The influx of candidates outnumber working HR people during the pandemic. That puts a toll on communication, and as a result, causing the process to slack. The situation is not in their control.

However, it could also be due to the disorganization of the companies! Again, many companies take this opportunity to make changes in their organization. They may be undergoing internal changes and need to work on restructuring their organization. At the end of the day, they just need some time to sort things through!

What Can You Do To Prevent Being Ghosted On — Professionally

For whatever reason, their behavior is disheartening. It strips away your trust in them and leaves you defeated. It is therefore in your best interest to avoid walking down the same path.

Without further ado, let’s dive into it.

Earn Their Trust

We can easily pick apart where things have gone wrong in your previous encounters with the companies by recounting our steps. You successfully impressed them with our resume. You ticked all the boxes: knowledge, experience, and skills. Nothing to worry about here. But there exists something that you neglected: the establishment of trust between the recruiters and you. Despite being confident in your abilities, HR persons and hiring managers may question your commitment and loyalty to the company... or your trustworthiness to complete the tasks.

To turn this around, you should reassure them that you possess all the abilities and skills necessary to carry out said tasks and that they can take your words for it. You can do so by:

1.Give importance to a long term relationship between you and the company. Get it across to them that you are on their side and that you have their back

2.Communicate with accuracy, efficiency and honesty. Admit when you make mistakes and propose ways to improve on them!

3.Show that you care about the job and the company. This could be something as minute as time management and you showing up to appointments on time!

Learn To Direct Conversation Flow

You may not be able to read HR’s minds. But you can find small verbal and nonverbal clues that could help you get the upper hand in your interactions with them when things don’t seem to go your way.

Suppose you lack certain qualities essential to the role that you are applying for, get around them by being truthful and letting them know that you do not currently possess those. But wait, don’t end your sentence just like that — remember to turn the situation around so that things are in your favor. You don’t want to blow this chance to awe them. Mention ways in which you can obtain them. Say that you can compensate those with other attributes or that you could learn them for the role! In other words, show them your enthusiasm and openness to acquire new knowledge and skills! And last but not least, add past examples of when you have executed those learning opportunities.

Stand Out: Highlight Your Strengths And Uniqueness

The logic behind this one is simple: if you can prove to be useful to them; make them like you, they won’t neglect you.

There are a lot of ways to set yourself apart from large crowds of competing candidates. You can choose to be memorable by being funny and let your carefree nature come across in your encounters with HR. This is undeniably risky and highly subjective but it could work.. Or you could choose to play safe: draw out your distinct experiences and present them your outstanding skills and abilities. If you opt for the latter, be confident in your crafts! Fear not. Sit upright, speak with great clarity and if you are a fast talker, take it slow!!

Shoot Your Shot!

Now that you know how to not get ghosted by companies, this is your sign to get yourself out there and give yourself another chance! Show them what you’re made of!

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