Candidates Behaving Badly: Case #1

I love my job, I really do, but sometimes things happen that make me question why I chose a profession in the recruiting industry. Recruiters know exactly what I’m talking about because they have their own battle scars to remind them of candidates that have done them wrong, but for those of you who have not walked in a recruiter’s shoes, I’ll explain my story using an example that has probably touched all of us or at least someone we know…

It’s prom season, so this example is perfect for this time of year. Imagine that you – or your child – spent a month gathering the courage to ask that special someone to prom. After a series of strategic hallway conversations, carefully selected social media posts, and randomly coincidental face-to-face encounters in the library/coffee shop/movie theater, you execute a well-planned proposal that lands you your dream date! This special someone happily accepts your invitation and the two of you spend the next several weeks planning for one of the biggest nights of your young lives. Tuxedos are rented. Dresses are fitted. Flowers are purchased. Limousines are booked. Seating arrangements are expertly coordinated. Parents are proud. And then it happens. The day before the prom, your date sends you a text informing you that someone else slightly more popular, good-looking, or whatever asked them to the prom and even though they feel really bad about it, they can l no longer go with you. What a humiliating kick in the crotch! Unfortunately, it will happen to plenty of young people this month. Despicable, right?

Something very similar happened to me and my client today. The candidate that I guided through the entire hiring process for two months was all set to start his new director role on Monday. This morning he emailed my client and informed them that he accepted another job. Keep in mind that the candidate accepted my client’s offer three weeks ago and they have been actively preparing for his arrival ever since. We have both been in constant contact with this person since he accepted the offer, and he never showed any signs that he was still pursuing other options. When I spoke to my candidate this afternoon, he told me he just accepted the other offer TODAY, which means he never stopped looking for other jobs. This whole time my client thought they were going to the prom, but my candidate was just waiting for someone else to ask him to dance. That ain't right...

I’m sick about it. My client is sick about it. I understand that accepting a new position is a huge career decision, which is why you should be 100% sure about your decision before you commit. Once you actually commit to a company though, that should be it. You take yourself off the market and you respectfully decline advances from other companies and potential prom dates. As my grandmother once told me, "Keep your word or don’t give it in the first place."