One of the surprising things about recruitment is the amount of no shows you get in interviews even in the white-collar space. With the current market being candidate driven, candidates are hot on the market and their popularity means the ball is in their court.
Have you ever not shown up to an interview? Sounds like a strange question to ask but it happens more often than what you might think.
According to Indeed, 28% of applicants ghosted their employer in 2020 which is alarming considering the fact that a global pandemic was wreaking havoc on employment opportunities.
According to Forbes, 46% of candidates did not show up to scheduled interviews.
Below are some reasons why ghosting or no shows might be more damaging than a person thinks:
It is also important to note that by no shows, we do not mean emergencies or unexpected events. Although, it would be important that the interviewer is notified in these cases too.
Missing out on other job positions
If a candidate decides not to show up to an interview because they are no longer interested in the position, they miss out on not just one but many job opportunities. Recruitment consultants interview candidates while keeping other job positions in mind. By missing out, a candidate will lose job opportunities that might have been exciting for them.
Possibility of being blacklisted
If a candidate does not show up, they may be marked as ‘do not contact’ and that limits their job opportunities in the long run.
Might make it awkward
If a no-show candidate unintentionally gets in contact with the same recruiter, it might be awkward for them to justify themselves and there might be unresolved tension.
So, what can you do?
- Have the difficult conversation
Recruiters are open to hearing how you feel. Tell them that you are not interested in the position or do not feel like the interview will be beneficial for either party. This way, we will remember your politeness and straightforward manner and keep you in mind for something that excites you!
- Do not commit to the interview if you have other priorities
Organise your time and make sure you only agree to an interview once you know you can be there. If you are going for multiple interviews, do not try to overload your schedule.
Despite the statistics, we can all make the effort to reduce ghosting and no shows in recruitment. Are you going to show up for your next interview?
