Be an Adult and Show Up For The Interview: The Lost Art of Adulting
In the grand casino of career progression, where LinkedIn profiles are the chips and job interviews the high-stakes tables, there’s a rising trend that’s more perplexing than a hedge fund manager’s tax return: ghosting employers. Yes, adulting is hard — but apparently, showing up or sending a simple cancellation email is even harder for some.
The Ghosting Phenomenon: A Spooky Trend in Professional Circles
Let’s dissect this, shall we? Ghosting, traditionally reserved for bad dates and friends who still think it’s funny to quote “Borat” in 2024, has haunted its way into the professional arena. Candidates vanish into thin air, leaving a chair, a cup of lukewarm coffee, and an increasingly cynical HR manager in their spectral wake. The question is, why is this phenomenon on the rise, and what does it tell us about the modern job seeker?
The Psychology Behind the Disappearance Act
To understand this, we must first unpack the psychological suitcase of the average job seeker. Today’s digital natives, armed with smartphones and the attention span of a goldfish on a Red Bull binge, find themselves overwhelmed by options. The paradox of choice, a concept well-explored by scholars, suggests that more options don’t liberate us but imprison us in a state of indecision and anxiety.
Thus, when faced with the daunting prospect of an interview, especially one that might not be the dream job (let’s be honest, it rarely is), the escape hatch looks mighty appealing. Ghosting, therefore, is not just a refusal to confront a potentially uncomfortable situation; it’s a symptom of a choice-paralyzed generation.
The Impact on Companies: More Than Just An Empty Chair
The repercussions of this no-show culture ripple far beyond the empty seat at the interview table. Imagine a ballet where one dancer decides not to show up. The performance doesn’t just go on a tad less gracefully — it stumbles, it halts, it loses its rhythm. Similarly, when a candidate ghosts, it’s not just an inconvenience; it disrupts the entire choreography of the hiring process.
For startups and smaller businesses, where every hire counts like the last slice of pizza at a party, a no-show can be particularly devastating. It’s like preparing a dinner party for 12, only to have the guest of honor skip out without so much as a text. The result? Wasted resources, skewed schedules, and a lingering mistrust towards future candidates, who may or may not also believe in the mystical art of disappearing.
The Art of Adulting: A Radical Proposal
Here’s a radical idea: Be an adult. Show up. Or, if the winds change and you decide that maybe this isn’t the path for you, pull out your device of choice and craft a message. Something along the lines of, “Dear [Insert Company Name], I’ve had a change of heart/circumstances/sudden inheritance, and I will not be able to attend our scheduled interview. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Why is this important? Because professional ghosting doesn’t just burn bridges; it napalms them. In the tightly woven tapestry of industry networks, reputations are crafted and tarnished not just by how well you perform, but by how honorably you exit.
How Companies Can Combat the Ghosting Trend
On the flip side, companies aren’t just innocent victims in the ghosting saga. The corporate world needs to look in the mirror and ask if they are part of the problem. Are they engaging with candidates transparently and respectfully, or are they themselves guilty of the slow fade, leaving candidates in a purgatory of unreturned calls and ambiguous feedback?
To combat ghosting, companies should consider:
- Timely Communication: Keep candidates in the loop. A simple update can be the difference between them sticking with you or drifting towards other opportunities.
- Feedback Culture: Whether it’s a “yes”, “no”, or “maybe”, provide feedback. It shows candidates that their time and effort are valued, encouraging a mutual respect.
- Respectful Engagement: Treat candidates as you would want your own application to be treated — with promptness, respect, and clear communication.
The Call to Adult
So, here we are, at the crossroads of convenience and courtesy. To the job seekers out there, remember: ghosting might seem like the easy way out, but it’s a shortcut that cuts deep into your reputation. To the companies, remember: engagement and respect are two-way streets.
Adulting? Yes, it’s hard. But like taxes, traffic, and the truth about Santa Claus, it’s an unavoidable part of life. Let’s not make it any harder by forgetting that at the end of the day, in the maze of our digital personas and professional facades, we’re all just humans trying to make it to the next payday without losing our humanity. Or our manners.
Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Medium, I’m writing the proverbial (no surprise here) sequel to Talk Tech To Me. I take on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplify them for the modern recruiter.
