Kateryna Kuskal (Assoc CIPD)’s Post

🚨 HR PSA: The "Mystery of the Vanishing Job Candidate" 🚨 Ever had a candidate nail the interview, impress everyone in the room, and then… POOF! They disappear just as you’re about to extend the offer? 🤔 Welcome to the ultimate HR ghost story—The Case of the Vanishing Candidate! 👻 Let’s decode what might actually be happening: 🔍 Candidate Reality: "I got the offer, but now I’m thinking, ‘What if something better is out there?’ Or worse—‘What if I actually have to start working?’ Maybe if I don’t respond, the decision will magically make itself!" 🧘♂️💨 🔍 Recruiter Reality: Pings candidate daily: “Hi! Just checking in... You okay? You still interested? Should we send snacks? A puppy? How about a private jet to the office?” 😅✈️ 🔍 HR Reality: Adds another chapter to ‘Candidate Ghost Stories Volume 10.’ Seriously, it’s starting to feel like I’m writing a horror novel! 📖😨 But in all seriousness, dear candidates, we get it! We know job decisions can be tough, and it’s okay to have second thoughts. Just drop us a line. We promise, no pressure! The suspense, though? It’s real. And so are the gray hairs we’re growing! 😅 HR friends—can anyone relate? Share your ghosting stories below! #HRHumor #RecruitingLife #CandidateGhosting #HRProblems #JobSearchMystery #HiringStruggles

Ghosted by a recruiter? You're not alone. I’ve been hearing some horror stories over the past few months of recruiters reaching out to candidates, inviting them to apply for jobs, arranging a pre-screening, or setting up interviews and completely disappearing. 😮 Firstly, I want to say that not all recruiters are like this; some are very professional and communicate well. Unfortunately, there are others who ghost candidates and don’t follow up regardless of how it might make them or the company look. Secondly, if this happens to you, remain professional and calm. As frustrating as it is, please don’t be disheartened or be tempted to hound the recruiter for feedback. Sometimes rejection is a form of protection. Thirdly, to recruiters, no one knows the full story of what’s going on in certain situations. Budgets are cut, roles get pushed back, employers get cold feet, things happen... But a little bit of professional curtesy goes a very long way, especially during these turbulent times. So, if you have been ghosted recently, please don’t lose hope; a job will come. Keep applying and put your best foot forward. And to recruiters, being upfront with candidates about any issues or challenges provides much-needed clarity and context. 🤗 Have you been ghosted and how did you handle it? 👻 Got an interview coming up? Check out my FREE GUIDE to land your next role.👉 connectedandmotivated.com #ghosting #jobhunting #jobseekers #recruitment #careersadvice

🤣 The Rollercoaster Ride of Recruitment: Buckle Up! 🎢 Let’s be honest: working in recruitment is like being on a rollercoaster. Some days you're soaring high, and others, well... let's just say you're holding on for dear life! Here are a few ups and downs we all know too well: The Highs: Finding the Perfect Candidate 🎉 - That moment when you discover a CV that feels like it was written by the job description itself. Instant joy! The Offer Acceptance 🥳 - When your top candidate says “Yes!” to the job offer, it’s like winning the lottery (without the money, but with all the excitement). Great Feedback 🌟 - Hearing from clients and candidates that you’ve made their lives better is the best feeling ever. Cue the happy dance! The Lows: The No-Show 🙈 - That candidate who seemed perfect and then poof disappears on the day of the interview. Are they in Narnia? We may never know. The Counteroffer 😬 - When your star candidate gets a counteroffer from their current employer and decides to stay put. Ouch, right in the feels. The Last-Minute Rejection 😩 - Just when you think it's all set, the candidate changes their mind. Cue the tiny violins. Here’s to all my fellow recruiters out there—may your highs be frequent and your lows be short-lived! #recruitment #recruiterlife #recruitmentlife #jobs #funny #upsanddowns

Recruiter Ghosting and Candidate Anxiety We've all been there—after a promising interview, the waiting begins. Days turn into weeks, and silence fills the void. The excitement of opportunity is slowly replaced with anxiety and doubt. Did I say the wrong thing? Am I not qualified? Was the role filled, and no one told me? I personally recently had an interview I thought went really well, I even followed up, and the first time I got a message back. I followed up 2 more times and I have heard nothing. Again, I thought the interview went really well, all smiles on both ends. Recruiter ghosting is more than just an inconvenience. It can deeply affect a candidate’s mental well-being, leading to stress, insecurity, and even imposter syndrome. For job seekers, the process is more than just a search for employment; it's a vulnerable moment of putting oneself out there. I understand that recruiters are busy, but a little transparency goes a long way. Even a quick update or rejection email shows respect for the candidate’s time and effort. Let’s start a conversation on how we can improve the hiring experience and ease the anxiety that so many candidates feel. It starts with empathy and open communication. What are your thoughts? How has ghosting impacted your job search? #Recruitment #JobSearch #MentalHealth #CandidateExperience #HiringPractices #EmpathyInHiring

🚨 WARNING: Proceed with caution! 🚨 No one ever warns you of the dangers of Recruitment when you start. It’s all about the commission you can earn, right? But what about the lives you impact? Ever heard of the Curse of the Candidate's Car? Countless breakdowns and flat tires on the way to interviews. It's like the universe has a vendetta against successful placements! Then there's the Boiler Breakdown Syndrome. Candidates swear their boilers only malfunction when they have a crucial interview scheduled. Coincidence? We think not. And let’s not forget the Surprise Director Visits. Just when you think you've got everything under control, bam! The big boss decides to pop in unannounced. Talk about nerve-wracking! But wait, there's more…It evens impacts the candidates too…. Have you ever seen a recruiter vanish into thin air when candidates are waiting for feedback? It's like a magic act, but with less applause and more frustrated voicemails. And don't even get us started on the mysterious abundance of meetings that suddenly materialise whenever a candidate calls for feedback. Are they discussing world peace, or just trying to remember your name? Recruitment: it's not for the faint of heart. Approach with caution, and maybe a good luck charm or two. 🍀

😂 Recruiter’s Confession: Our Secret Weapon Isn’t Coffee... It’s Patience! I'm sure recruiters have all been there: You find the perfect candidate, everything seems aligned, and then... they mention they're actually looking to be a professional dog walker. 🐕🚶♂️ Here’s to the joys and surprises of recruitment: The Puzzle Master: That moment when you try to align a candidate’s experience with a job description that changes more often than their profile picture. The Dating Game: Feels like setting up a friend on a blind date, but you're not just matching hobbies, you're aligning career goals, company culture, and you can’t rely on just candlelight and wine! The job might be tough, complex, and sometimes downright bizarre, but it’s never boring! Calling all recruiters! What’s the funniest or most unexpected moment you’ve had in recruitment? Share your stories below! Let’s laugh together at the chaos and charm of our profession! #RecruitmentLife #RecruiterHumor #LifeOfARecruiter #Recruitment

🚨 PSA for Job Seekers: Let’s Talk About the Corporate Hiring Circus! 🚨 We need to spread some serious awareness about the bizarre trends in recruitment these days. Here’s what many of us are experiencing: 1. The Ghosting Act: You apply, you interview, and then… silence. No feedback, no updates, not even a rejection email. Companies, we get it—you have thousands of applications, but is it really too much to ask for a simple “Yes” or “No” within a week? Maybe? Just maybe? 2. The Fake Job Listings: Companies posting positions that don’t even exist—just for show. Or worse, they post, collect a bunch of resumes, and never hire anyone. What’s the point? To waste our time? Get your act together, please. 3. The “Assignment Trap”: Oh, you want me to complete a huge project as part of the “interview process”? Sure, I’ll just spend hours doing free labor, only to never hear back. Can we please stop this charade of “test assignments” when you have no intention of hiring? 4. The 4-to-5-Month Follow-Up (Because Why Not?): Getting an interview call after months of applying, as if we’ve been sitting around waiting for your grand arrival. What exactly are you trying to achieve here? A world record in delayed responses? 5. The “Hanging in Limbo” Experience: You’re not shortlisted, but you’re not rejected either. You’re just… there. Floating in the corporate ether, wondering if you should move on or keep hoping. News flash: A clear “No” is always better than no answer at all. 🛑 Let’s put an end to this unprofessional behavior and stop wasting candidates’ time. If you’re going to engage someone in the hiring process, have the decency to give them a clear answer, and if you’re assigning them tasks, how about not exploiting their efforts for free? Let’s start valuing skilled employees and their time. Enough is enough. #JobSeekersUnite #StopWastingTime #ProfessionalismMatters #HiringTransparency #CandidatesDeserveBetter

I've spoken to many candidates over the years who have been rude to me.   One guy recently just had zero time for me when I called 📞   Clearly, he was having an off day which we are all allowed, right? (or maybe I’m just not his idea of a good time which is more likely 😂)   It’s understandable; job hunting can be frustrating. Especially when you’ve had countless conversations with recruiters, TAs and the like, only to hit dead ends.   That kind of repetitive disappointment must wear you down.   But here's the thing: not all recruiters are cut from the same cloth.   That one you brushed off might have been the wrong one to dismiss.   And now, they might have the wrong impression of you   Which isn't fair on you and (as a recruiter) not pleasant for them either!   Remember, recruiters, TAs, etc., they're often the middle person in this whole process   Their job is to find the most suitable person for the company   Yes from a technical skill point, but also someone who is a good team fit, easy to manage, etc.   So, if your job search is starting to feel like a never-ending uphill battle   Consider hitting the pause button   Take a week off, reset, and approach things with fresh eyes   Wipe the slate clean!   Trust me, when someone comes off as agitated or rude during our interactions,   It's hard for me to sell them as a great candidate to the hiring manager (as it’s not just about whether you can do the job)   And that frustration you're carrying with you? It tends to seep into interview responses   So, if you can, take a breather from the job hunt.   It's in your best interest to pause, even though I know bills don't stop coming. Picture: me stood awkwardly in the office for a LinkedIn picture

What can we do to improve your chances of getting hired? Do you think the perceptions of bias in the western world match your experiences? While there may be some undeniable evidence of systemic errors and corruption, the opportunities available to us are still huge. It’s worth exploring other reasons why candidates often don’t receive consideration after an interview, as understanding this could lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. In my experience here on LinkedIn, I've noticed that maintaining composure and choosing the right language during conversations can significantly impact how your message is received. Sometimes I also blame people’s culture for this… but for how long should we also point fingers rather than solving the problem? I recently met a remarkable individual who used to be a doctor in his home country. He shared with me his experience of applying to various facilities, only to face repeated rejections. I can only imagine how disheartening and painful that must have been for him. It’s a challenging journey,(I know) and hearing his story truly touched my heart. He would visit the various hospitals where he had applied across the cities, making videos of the facilities. But, during these visits, he often expressed his frustrations toward the hospitals, captured the buildings and staffs on videos while making harsh, derogatory, racial comments. However, his intention was to raise awareness about the challenges and pain while sharing his experiences on social media in hopes of sparking conversation, empathy and change. The first time I came across his page, I was truly taken aback. As I explored his content, I was struck by the intensity of the topics he addressed. Intrigued, I reached out to him directly to ask if we could have a meaningful conversation, and he graciously agreed. Initially, it required sharing stories from both myself and others to help him understand the importance of reconsidering his posts. While I had only faced a few months of challenges, many had experienced far longer struggles. I emphasized that the situation was never solely about him; rather, it became about the impact of his actions, especially since he was publicly calling out potential employers. Through these conversations, he began to see the broader implications and the necessity of taking down those posts. Don't let poor communication undermine your skills. Whether you're employed or job hunting, effective communication is key to being wanted in any team. As an employer once said, I valued “character” above all. If a candidate has basic skills and demonstrated the right attitude under pressure during the interview process, that’s my next hire. Try and cultivate emotional intelligence, it is an often overlooked skill. Focus on personal growth and humility. Learning to work well in a team is vital before entering the corporate world. Remember, “Charity begins at home”— “Shalom”

What would you do in this situation? Here’s what happened... I get a call from a candidate: "Simon, this job isn’t what I expected. It’s not working out. Can you help me find something else? I know it’s not your fault—things just didn’t pan out as promised." This candidate had been placed by me in their current role, and I had a strong relationship with the client, who also relied on me to source other candidates. Now, I’m faced with a dilemma: Do I: 👍 Help the candidate find a new role 💡 Tell the candidate I can’t facilitate an exit due to my relationship with his employer ❤️ Reach out to the client to find a solution that works for both parties and have an open conversation. 👏🏻Or something else - love to hear your thoughts in comments, a good few other options available! These challenging situations are all too familiar in recruitment. The decisions we make often hinge on the relationships we’ve built with both clients and candidates. It’s a delicate balance. But we’re often damned if we do and damned if we don’t! 🧐 If we help the candidate leave, we risk being seen as putting talent in and then poaching them out. But if we don’t support the candidate, we may be viewed as unsupportive or indifferent. What would you do? Share your thoughts using the reaction buttons or drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your approach! #recruitment #careerdecisions #talentmanagement