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Recruiters, if you work with a candidate who applied to a job you posted, at least have the courtesy to get back to them.

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Anonymous

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Recruiters, if you work with a candidate who applied to a job you posted, at least have the courtesy to get back to them.

I applied for a job last week for an admin position. The recruiter liked my resume and called me to discuss the position. Now, the only thing is the position wants a candidate who knows the software that they use. He asked me if I had any knowledge on how to use it (the program is Salesforce). I told him I've heard of it but never used and I had no problem willing to learn. He said he would get back to the hiring manager to see if he can change their mind about training a candidate to use the program. At my current job we use SAP. I didn't know how to use it when I started, but I learned. I contacted him 2 days later to ask if there was an update and received no answer. I tried again yesterday and still nothing. I checked out the job on indeed where I applied to see if I could reach out to the employer, but the job is no longer available for various reasons.

This is why I hate recruiters. You never hear back from them and it's not right ghost a candidate leaving them wondering what is going on. Have some courtesy to let them know if the employer went with someone else.

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  1. Anonymous

    As a previous IT recruiter, I did not ghost any candidates, which I had every ability to as I was overwhelmed with 100's of candidates per day. BUT.... I would email you a follow up even if it was not a good ending to at least close that door. However, I kept my candidates in a CRM and made notes of all who had certain skills. When SAP was just starting, it was a very HOT skill, but if I need a developer and not just a user, I couldn't submit the candidate that didn't have the skill set. The recruiter is probably not replying as they went on a different path with a person who has the skills. Employers pay companies to find people who have the skills, not someone who will learn it. That's how it works unfortunately. The candidate pool is a candy store right now and there are 10 people with the same skills. So recruiters can pick and choose. It sucks I know as I was not only a top recruiter, but I interviewed for other recruiting jobs too and I was one in a million. However, there is a space for you somewhere, and look at SAP, or while seeking, research how to learn Salesforce. I use it currently and learned it on the job as I did every single CRM I ever used. You just need to get your foot in the door to prove yourself. Stay strong and good luck to you in your search!

  2. Anonymous

    How exactly are people supposed to find a job to develop skills if companies won't train?

  3. Anonymous

    Companies will train if the economy sucks and there weren't 100s of candidates already perfectly trained, experienced and educated. It's a function of the market. It's an employers dream right now across the board but that will eventually change I think.

  4. Anonymous

    Agree wholeheartedly with your post. It's a candy store right now.

  5. Anonymous

    Companies won't give you a CHANCE to get your foot in the door if you're not a unicorn candidate. I'm so sick of hearing this.

  6. Anonymous

    The post truly was about recruiters. They are paid to find the unicorn. It doesn't mean a company will not consider you to learn, but if you are working with a recruiter their company has been retained to find the perfect fit. There is no rationale out there that says hire a person who isn't a fit. But there is a lot of rationale if you sit on the edge of maybe having exposure or experience, there could be an opportunity to learn. But unfortunately this is how recruiting works. If you hire me to help you, I'm looking for THE fit, not someone who is interested and wants to learn. Seek opportunities you match, and if you are studying up on something, add it to your resume as studying or getting certified. THEN your resume may not flag and they will see the skill. I'm sorry this is frustrating, but I always encourage others to also look at higher ed jobs. They are more forgiving but you have to wear a lot of hats, it's not cut and dry like corporate.

  7. Anonymous

    I totally feel your pain when you say that you don't like recruiters. I have been reached out by so many of them saying they have seen my resume on the job board and thought I would be a great fit. When you show interest and respond back to them they really do ghost you. I'm not trying to bash all of them because there's some that will follow back with you but others just don't. Yes I've heard the same tune as you about networking and reaching out to other people you may know but they don't reply back. If I were you I would just do your own job search on the job sites and see if you have some success that way.

    Best of luck to you!

  8. Anonymous

    OP here: I've worked with many recruiters and it's always the same story. They either waste my time or I go on an interview and never hear from them again.

  9. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    I totally agree with you. It is ridiculous to not look at a candidate because they do not have the software when they can be easily trained if they have technical skills. Don't hate recruiters. I have had two candidates this week whom i was going to send out to a fabulous company who both literally fell off the face of the earth when i told them that this company does a drug screen and background check upon offer. But that does not mean that I hate all applicants. I wrote them a text telling them that ghosting is rude and immature and that our paths may cross again and i may have another perfect job and that I will not be calling them. Not all recruiters are rude and not all applicants are ignorant and some of them can pass a drug test. Probably the recruiter did not feel that you are a fit for the job. Move on and keep going.

  10. Anonymous

    Anyone can pass a drug test if they put their mind to it. It's always invasive and usually unnecessary for jobs that aren't operating heavy equipment. But there are easy ways around it.

  11. Anonymous

    Good for you for sticking up for both sides of the conversation! Bashing all recruiters because this OP is upset they did not meet the bar...not right.

  12. Anonymous

    Look up the top 100 hiring companies for both internships and full-time. The list is through Yello and was shared on LinkedIn. Scour LinkedIn. Job searching takes work. It is not a passive apply, sit around and wait. And it's frustrating, I get it, but each day, arm yourself as if job searching is your job and you will need to work at it to find it.

  13. Anonymous

    It shouldn't be THIS much work.

  14. Sarah Borders

    You’re not wrong. I am 20 years post undergraduate graduation, and this is, without a doubt, the toughest job market I’ve been in, and it’s only the second time I’ve been unemployed while searching. It *shouldn’t* be this much work, but at least focusing on the work distracts you from the anxiety that your money will run out before you find your next job.

  15. Deni Deni

    Most likely found another candidate, I did the same search, went through a few test ones. But at the stage of accepting the vacancy they found another person.

  16. Anonymous

    If it's mentioned in the job description, being prepared for that question, 100% of the time. This allows you to look into, learn about it, be able to speak to it, and bridge the gap from not using to sharing how it's used and perhaps similarity to your current knowledge bank. IF not mentioned, still be prepared on how to answer overall other program questions you're not familiar with in the tone of adaptability, prior new program learnings, etc. NOW, if they committed to getting back to you, I understand. I'm going to guess that with this role the applicant pool was a pretty good size. Yes, it's a bummer, but it happens, some things are even out of their control, it's frustrating though, I get it.

  17. Sarah Borders

    I have been ghosted by at least 15 recruiters (internal and agency), easy, over my last 5+ months of being unemployed.

    Usually, it’s after my resume has been shared with the hiring manager, and the hiring manager passes on me as a candidate. But, in a couple instances, it has happened even earlier (we schedule a screening call, but then “something” comes up, so they can’t make it, and I never hear from them again), and it’s happened later (a little over a week ago, I interviewed with a hiring manager for a contract role, and although I assume from the lack of response that I won’t be moving forward in the process, no one has told me explicitly).

    You get used to it after a while and accept it as the norm. It doesn’t mean it’s good; it’s just how it is. Eventually, what you remember more are the recruiters who don’t ghost you, and those are the ones you stay connected with.

    I’ve connected with a recruiter who had to cancel our screening call after a family emergency, and in my cynical mind, I thought, “Yeah, OK,” but then he followed up a week later. I’ve connected with a recruiter who, when I wasn’t considered for a role, admitted that it was down to timing, and I’ve had one follow up with me, unprompted, to tell me why I wasn’t selected for interview by the hiring manager.

    I’ve had one recruiter, after an interview with the hiring manager tell me, “He gave me no feedback, but honestly, I think you’re a top notch candidate, and I would like to stay in touch.” Just yesterday, I had a conversation with a recruiter who, once she learned I wasn’t a good fit for the role we were talking about said, “I want to help you get hired,” sent me a link to her agency’s job board, and told me to email or call her anytime about any roles I see on the board that look like a good fit, even if their not hers.

    Honestly, I don’t give the 15+ a second thought when I think about recruiter interactions. I mostly remember these five.

  18. Anonymous

    Here's where you can learn Salesforce for future opportunities: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/

  19. Anonymous

    OP here: Thank you!

  20. Anonymous

    OP here: Not sure where you're located

  21. Barbara

    I've given up using recruiters. They call all excited about a "perfect fit" job prospect then ghost! They have you come into their office to meet with them, bring references and proof of citizenship. Waste of time.

  22. Anonymous

    I had one contact me once and she told me about a position that was available and spoke about my resume. She asked me if I could come in to meet with her. I said yes since it was near where I work and I went during my lunch hour. Turns out she asked me the same stuff from the previous day. Completely wasted my time.

  23. Anonymous

    Unfortunately, sooo typical. Recruiters who keep things above board and transparent have been a dying breed. I work in a position within my industry that makes me responsible for hiring recruiters; both companies and individuals. I'm also searching for my next work home and can't tell you how disappointing it's been-people to whom I gave business. All I can say is I have a long memory and recruiter or not, I always remember how I was treated when I was the one in need.

  24. Anonymous

    The number of recruiters ghosting applicants is unreal. It is insensitive and just plain rude. The nanotube of The time and effort required to apply and prepare for multiple rounds of interviews is insane. To end up being ghosted by a recruiter is classless and just plain rude.

  25. Anonymous

    Time and effort to apply?? the world does not revolve around the candidate when you are an applicant, it revolves around the company as the buyer in the decision. Now if instead you were recruited and then not looped back to that is truly poor form. Applying does not guarantee anything but consideration for the role as one of many.

  26. Anonymous

    Triggered?

  27. Anonymous

    I don't think she's triggered. I think like the majority of candidates here, we have experienced very poor and unprofessional behavior from recruiters.

  28. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    very true. Applicants-keep in mind that that the company is paying a fee for a recruiter to fill their job. This is a free service to you and you are not owed anything. If you have been sent on an interview, yes you should be given feedback. If you have not interviewed you really are not owed feedback.

    My challenge is on the applicant side--ghosting, not showing up, not answering their phone when they have applied. I am looking for stars--great job stability, well done resumes, great verbal and written skills, professional presentation and people who answer their phones after they have sent their resume.

  29. Anonymous

    Another gem from bellsouth.....

  30. Anonymous

    Candidates aren't owed anything? Oh shut up.

  31. Anonymous

    dude, NO ONE answers their phones any more - if this is criteria, you might as well say you only want to hire people of a certain age

    Applications are a PITA esp the horrible ones that you have to fill in field by field. When you are applying for jobs, this is OUR time too, so stop acting like us coming to exchange OUR Labor at a fair market price is you giving us a favor here.

    You want professional then you also act professional (and while you're at it, have a tiny bit of empathy)

  32. Anonymous

    2 days later? I would assume you are not the only applicant, or prospect and they likely are or were still vetting others. The decision might not yet be made and if they have nothing to share they owe you nothing in terms of communication in return until they make their mind up. The recruiter is just the messenger. They were kind enough to let you know that they liked you enough from the screening call to ask the HM to consider you anyway even though you didn't fit the hard requirements and now are blaming the recruiter?

    They are simply the messenger and if they have no news to share they owe you nothing, often the HM holds things up. At some points the HM decides to shut down the role from further inbound candidates. Assuming you just applied on their website? Simply, get over it, or learn Salesforce and then apply again.

  33. Anonymous

    Get over it? No. How about the recruiter let the candidate know what is going on. I swear some recruiters are just lazy.

  34. Anonymous

    you are speaking about 3rd party external agency recruiters NOT internal ones. please educate yourself people on the kinds of recruiters that are out there as they are paid and work VERY differently depending on the type that they are.

  35. Anonymous

    I was ghosted by in house recruiter

  36. Anonymous

    Best then to send a note to the team lead or to the manager of that businesses talent team. Let them know about your poor experience AFTER being screened. It will help to assure that it will not happen again. Be kind but specific. It likely won't help your chances at that company but I suspect that recruiter will be spoken to. On my team they would.

  37. Anonymous

    stop bashing recruiters! instead educate yourself on their role, who they are -internal or external, salaried or commissioned or on quota. Then be sure that when you interact with them you also ask the questions about timing and return of feedback. Their role is as proxy when internal for the HM who often does not have a clue about what they want or has completely unrealistic expectations of the market and who wants to work for their company. Here is a terrific article to educate yourself on the different types out there.

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-recruiter-different-types-recruiters-/

  38. Anonymous

    Ha, okay its okay for candidates to be rude and disrespectful but for a recruiter to call out a candidate who wasted their time...not? Hmm, one sided?

  39. Anonymous

    And don't you just love how she has such "high" standards for candidates, but can't manage to check her capitalization on the very first sentence in her reply? Hmmmm......

  40. Anonymous

    Get your spam bullshit out of here

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