The Ghosting Candidate: A Tragedy in Three Acts
- Lauren Deats
- Oct 24
- 3 min read
Hello Bloomers!
It's time to talk about something that has been driving me nuts for a long time. I often wonder what leads people to make certain decisions when it comes to their career. Some people choose college, some technical colleges, the military, teaching… the list goes on and on.
But there is one decision that always leaves me scratching my head.... NO SHOWS!
I will never understand it. Resumes take time. Right? You already put in the work… didn't you? You meticulously polished that CV, tailored the cover letter so it didn't sound like a complete template, and probably spent a good hour staring at your reflection wondering if your interview outfit screams "hire me" or "I'm secretly a supervillain." You even scheduled the meeting! Why waste all that effort just to... evaporate?
Here's what I think is happening.
Act I: The Great Application Hoax
The candidate, let's call them "Barnaby," is clearly operating on the assumption that quantity beats quality. Barnaby isn't applying for a job; they're playing the lottery. They've used the "one-click apply" button on every single posting they scrolled past on their phone while watching Netflix.
They get an email saying "We'd love to chat!" and their brain immediately short-circuits. Wait, someone actually read that? Panic sets in. The job is a reality, not just a theoretical line on a spreadsheet of 400 applications. They realize this company is in a different city than they thought, or requires them to do actual work. The simple, sweet fantasy of a new career is instantly crushed by the terrifying requirement of showing up.
Act II: The Cold Feet Tango
Barnaby is now officially scheduled for an interview. They’ve confirmed via email, maybe even answered a polite pre-screen phone call. They have passed through the gates of the scheduling machine. Now, the internal debate begins.
On one shoulder, a tiny, annoying angel whispers, "But this could be the one! Show some professionalism!"
On the other shoulder sits a demonic, oversized sloth saying, "Dude, that commute looks rough. You could just... not. Think of the extra hour of sleep. Besides, you didn't really want to wear pants today, did you?"
The Sloth wins. Every. Single. Time.
This isn't just about a better offer popping up; that's understandable, albeit a bit rude not to cancel. This is about a profound lack of respect for the value of other people's time. A recruiter spent time reviewing your application, coordinating schedules, and preparing for the chat. That hiring manager is now sitting in a conference room with a lukewarm cup of coffee and 30 minutes of dead air.
The sarcastic truth? The no-show candidate is essentially giving everyone a very expensive, unwanted gift: the gift of administrative waste.
Act III: The Unspoken Message
Here's the harsh, unscheduled message that every no-show sends. And this is the part that should truly concern you, Bloomers.
When you fail to show up for an interview—even for a job you don't want—you’re not just wasting that recruiter's time. You’re signaling to the universe, and potentially your future self, that you’re comfortable with breaking a commitment without a second thought.
You didn't just miss a meeting; you gave up an opportunity to practice your interviewing skills.
You didn't just save yourself a drive; you burned a bridge with an entire company who now has a permanent, negative file on the name "Barnaby." (Trust me, recruiters have memories like elephants, especially for the dramatic ones).
Most importantly, you showed a profound disrespect for your own journey. You already put in the time to apply. You were literally one step away from finishing the task.
The takeaway for every Bloomer? If you apply for a job, you must follow through on the commitment of the process. If you decide you don't want it, great! Send a two-line email. "Thank you for the opportunity, but I need to withdraw my application at this time." It takes 30 seconds. It saves everyone 30 minutes. It makes you look like a functional, professional adult.
So, the next time you feel the irresistible pull of the Sloth, remember: It's a career, not a magic trick. You can't just disappear. Unless you want to be known as the ghosting candidate...
Final Words About The Ghosting Candidate From The Author!
Seriously, I need you all to get it together and start showing up for your interviews! Companies want to hire, but we can't help you if you never even show up.
~Lauren
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