I had a telephone interview a few months ago with a swift growth, global organization. They specialize in scientific knowledge and solutions for, let us say, earth’s clear liquid. The position entailed smart orchestration of projects and organizational integration. International experience required. Confidence working independently and excellence as collaborator—traits vital for success. Sign me up.
The Talent Acquisition Specialist who called me that morning via old fashioned telephone conducted our conversation within earshot of her home kitchen. I answered her questions (my experience stories) as her three-year-old wailed in the background. She interrupted me a few times with apologies. Her daughter had not eaten yet and her husband was late with the bacon. This continued for the next twenty minutes and I began to theorize it was a new interview tactic to test focus.
It was my turn for inquiries but she could not answer anything about the actual position. She, did, however, tell me how progressive the company is, and that work-life-balance for her personally was invaluable. Equity, diversity, sustainability, ability to make an impact—all that stuff the company stood for, she stood for. The recruiting procedure would be speedy but careful. They needed good people, fast; and she would circle back three days later. Awesome.
Three days went by and then a fourth so I reached out to her. Crickets. Five more business days passed and I reached out again. Ghosted. I went about my life and mused at how professionalism and respect have evaporated from the process. She is the front-line representative of culture. Very telling. About a month and a half later, she reappeared with an email thanking me for my time but I was not the fit they were looking for. I’ll say. I view responsiveness very differently.
Consultesque Says: To the Human Resources / Talent Acquisition / Recruiting Team: Are you aware of what is happening on the telephone lines between company and candidate and do you approve this? In the age of branding, employee-focus, engagement, and it-is-super-tough-to-find good employees, when did this become okay? Or is this your brand and how you make an impact to others? That’s not the message on your website. Would a sales call be conducted the same way? What about an M&A due diligence meeting? A shareholder’s announcement? Impact is always to everyone; is our advice. Man, woman, prospective buyer, future customer, potential employee, owner, anyone, all the time.