Can someone please explain the phenomenon of being "ghosted" by potential employers? If only I had a nickel for every time I've experienced this...
While I understand this is nothing new, I still have a hard time understanding/accepting it as being generally an accepted practice.
It has gotten to the point where my expectations are so low that anytime I get a rejection email/call, I am happy (err relieved) that I wasn't ghosted.
I guess my main question is: Is it wrong of me after a few weeks of being ghosted to send them an email thanking them for the job offer, sharing my excitement, and telling them I look forward to meeting them at the start of the school year? Funny how this elicits a response.
(Please note: this is referring to people who have already had an interview(s) with potential school, not someone who simply applied and never heard back.)
If you are an administrator/someone in charge of hiring, I'd love to hear your input.
Ghosted
Re: Ghosted
It’s rude and unprofessional, says this recruiter. Interview with me and I promise a response.
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
Re: Ghosted
I always give a response. And when I have to talk to staff about 'messy' stuff (not being let go, but say, internal changes), I always do it in person. It is part of my role, IMHO.
Re: Ghosted
I doubt you'll get a real answer.
Those of us who always "take care of business", or claim to, will simply say that we do. Two of us already have.
Those who do not are unlikely to pop up and explain themselves.
The only real explanations are some combination of laziness, reluctance to deliver bad news, and/or a presumption that applicants aren't important enough to merit consideration. I suspect it's mostly the first two, but who knows.
Those of us who always "take care of business", or claim to, will simply say that we do. Two of us already have.
Those who do not are unlikely to pop up and explain themselves.
The only real explanations are some combination of laziness, reluctance to deliver bad news, and/or a presumption that applicants aren't important enough to merit consideration. I suspect it's mostly the first two, but who knows.
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just.the.truth
Re: Ghosted
I have been on the receiving end of this. I interviewed with a school in Curitiba, Brazil. They told me they'd get back to me after a few weeks or so, but I never heard back. I followed up about a month later, at that point realizing that they weren't going to offer me a position. I figured they were busy, or something, and that they'd at least have the decency to reply after this. No decency. I said something to the effect of, thanks for the opportunity to interview, I'm sure you're busy but I just wanted to follow up etc. They never replied. How cold and thoughtless. Whether I got the job or not is beside the point. At this stage I would at least expect a "thanks but no thanks"...at least! Jerks.
There's a saying from the Dalai Lama, I think, that goes "sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck". I have recently accepted a position at a wonderful school in Mexico. It's sad to think that the aformentioned school and the like, are still out there and repped by recruiting organizations like Search. I am so grateful for all of you and ISR, for keeping each other in the loop.
There's a saying from the Dalai Lama, I think, that goes "sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck". I have recently accepted a position at a wonderful school in Mexico. It's sad to think that the aformentioned school and the like, are still out there and repped by recruiting organizations like Search. I am so grateful for all of you and ISR, for keeping each other in the loop.
Re: Ghosted
Rereading my post, I wanted to clarify that I am open to both employees & employers responding to this post. Not just employers. (This is why you proofread kids!)
I'm interested in hearing others "ghosted" stories.
I'm interested in hearing others "ghosted" stories.
Response
Its very common for recruiters and leaders in recruiting to ignore applicants who are unsuccessful. The rule is when an IS wants you, they act like they want to. If your being ghosted they arent interested, at best you get a form letter stating "the candidate pool was very strong, blah, blah, blah"
That leaders claim to be attentive and responsive even in instances of delivering bad news is just a claim, they arent self authenticating, and its very easy for a leader to state they respond to every applicant when they really dont.
Ranchers dont say goodbye or give explanations to the cow before it goes up the ramp of the slaughterhouse, why would recruiters and leaders explain to ITs who arent being appointed.
That leaders claim to be attentive and responsive even in instances of delivering bad news is just a claim, they arent self authenticating, and its very easy for a leader to state they respond to every applicant when they really dont.
Ranchers dont say goodbye or give explanations to the cow before it goes up the ramp of the slaughterhouse, why would recruiters and leaders explain to ITs who arent being appointed.
Re: Ghosted
I was waiting for an interview for 20-30 minutes at a fair and found out over half an hour later that they hired someone, because I emailed them and therefore, they were not in their rooms. I was so angry, because I could have had another interview with another school at this time, if I had known.
I also had three interviews with a school and never heard back from them. I messaged them via ISS several times before giving up.
However, last year, I had the first interview and they told me that they will get back to me in a week or two. After a month or so when I had totally forgotten, I heard from them for the second interview and got an offer. Their explanation was COVID and interviews taking longer than planned.
So I guess it all depends on the personality of the recruiters.
I also had three interviews with a school and never heard back from them. I messaged them via ISS several times before giving up.
However, last year, I had the first interview and they told me that they will get back to me in a week or two. After a month or so when I had totally forgotten, I heard from them for the second interview and got an offer. Their explanation was COVID and interviews taking longer than planned.
So I guess it all depends on the personality of the recruiters.
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Heliotrope
- Posts: 1171
- Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 1:48 am
Re: Ghosted
justme123 wrote:
> I'm interested in hearing others "ghosted" stories.
So far I've never been 'ghosted'.
I don't expect an email after just sending in my application, but after interviews I've always gotten at least an email, and I would expect a school to do so.
However, I do know it does happen, and if an interviewer can take the time to interview you they can spare the ten seconds it takes to send an email saying 'Thanks but we've decided to go with someone else'.
Some teachers also ghost schools after an interview, but likely to a lesser extent.
> I'm interested in hearing others "ghosted" stories.
So far I've never been 'ghosted'.
I don't expect an email after just sending in my application, but after interviews I've always gotten at least an email, and I would expect a school to do so.
However, I do know it does happen, and if an interviewer can take the time to interview you they can spare the ten seconds it takes to send an email saying 'Thanks but we've decided to go with someone else'.
Some teachers also ghost schools after an interview, but likely to a lesser extent.
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teachermum
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 8:45 pm
Re: Ghosted
Weirdest one I had was at a job fair. I got a pink/blue/green slip and this meant I could skip to the front of the queue to request my interview time. I had my husband with me who was linked on my profile etc. We are a teaching couple, I am a specialist and he is a general elementary teacher. When I asked if they were interested in interviewing both of us they looked surprised and then lamely said...oh yes, but we are booked with interviews today but we will get back to you with a time for tomorrow...and of course they never did. Guess they wanted me but not him for some reason but they weren't principled and didn't have any integrity to admit to me that they hadn't looked properly at my profile before writing the interview invitation. Wouldn't want to work for them anyway.
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peachestotulips
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:24 am
Re: Ghosted
I was ghosted by recruiters a few times this 2020-2021 recruiting cycle. It was shitty on their part considering the positive correspondence we had to not even send me a rejection email. These schools actually reached out to me first, and I was incredibly excited because these were schools that have been on my personal list for years.
I've given up on recruiting for this year. I'm reluctantly staying put at my current school even though things are looking dire. At least I have a job, class sizes are very small, and I'm saving money.
I've given up on recruiting for this year. I'm reluctantly staying put at my current school even though things are looking dire. At least I have a job, class sizes are very small, and I'm saving money.
Re: Response
PsyGuy wrote:
> Ranchers dont say goodbye or give explanations to the cow before it goes up
> the ramp of the slaughterhouse, why would recruiters and leaders explain to
> ITs who arent being appointed.
Because teachers are humans, not cows?
I can understand a school not responding to an initial application (even though these are the easiest ones to respond to - a mass, impersonal email is still better than nothing) but if you have gone to the effort of asking someone for interview, then it's poor practice not to respond. Indeed, I'd go as far as to say that not responding is probably a sign of how that head considers their staff and as a result you've probably dodged a bullet.
> Ranchers dont say goodbye or give explanations to the cow before it goes up
> the ramp of the slaughterhouse, why would recruiters and leaders explain to
> ITs who arent being appointed.
Because teachers are humans, not cows?
I can understand a school not responding to an initial application (even though these are the easiest ones to respond to - a mass, impersonal email is still better than nothing) but if you have gone to the effort of asking someone for interview, then it's poor practice not to respond. Indeed, I'd go as far as to say that not responding is probably a sign of how that head considers their staff and as a result you've probably dodged a bullet.
Re: Ghosted
justme123 wrote:
> It has gotten to the point where my expectations are so low that anytime I
> get a rejection email/call, I am happy (err relieved) that I wasn't
> ghosted.
That's the best attitude. Just assume ghosting is the default, and try to forget about applications shortly after you make them. Not worth your energy to fixate on them or the ghosting.
Ghosting is of course highly unprofessional and says much about the institution (or people running the institution) that is at fault. Take the ghosting as a sign of how a place does business, and if anything, be glad that you didn't wind up working there.
> It has gotten to the point where my expectations are so low that anytime I
> get a rejection email/call, I am happy (err relieved) that I wasn't
> ghosted.
That's the best attitude. Just assume ghosting is the default, and try to forget about applications shortly after you make them. Not worth your energy to fixate on them or the ghosting.
Ghosting is of course highly unprofessional and says much about the institution (or people running the institution) that is at fault. Take the ghosting as a sign of how a place does business, and if anything, be glad that you didn't wind up working there.
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Heliotrope
- Posts: 1171
- Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 1:48 am
Re: Ghosted
jschott wrote:
> That's the best attitude. Just assume ghosting is the default, and try to forget
> about applications shortly after you make them. Not worth your energy to fixate on
> them or the ghosting.
>
> Ghosting is of course highly unprofessional and says much about the institution (or
> people running the institution) that is at fault. Take the ghosting as a sign of how
> a place does business, and if anything, be glad that you didn't wind up working
> there.
I agree that that's the best attitude. Just send the application and move on.
I don't agree that 'ghosting is a sign of how a place does business' - some of the most highly regarded schools don't send an email back after reviewing your application and putting it on the 'No' pile. I've worked at one that I've heard doesn't always send replies, and it was a really great school.
Also there will be schools that do send replies to all applications but are still terrible places to work at.
There might a correlation between schools sending back replies and it being a good school, but definitely not to the extent that I would be glad that I didn't wind up working somewhere just because they didn't reply to my application.
> That's the best attitude. Just assume ghosting is the default, and try to forget
> about applications shortly after you make them. Not worth your energy to fixate on
> them or the ghosting.
>
> Ghosting is of course highly unprofessional and says much about the institution (or
> people running the institution) that is at fault. Take the ghosting as a sign of how
> a place does business, and if anything, be glad that you didn't wind up working
> there.
I agree that that's the best attitude. Just send the application and move on.
I don't agree that 'ghosting is a sign of how a place does business' - some of the most highly regarded schools don't send an email back after reviewing your application and putting it on the 'No' pile. I've worked at one that I've heard doesn't always send replies, and it was a really great school.
Also there will be schools that do send replies to all applications but are still terrible places to work at.
There might a correlation between schools sending back replies and it being a good school, but definitely not to the extent that I would be glad that I didn't wind up working somewhere just because they didn't reply to my application.