Successful industries can be defined within a construct that relates very closely to how well-oiled its machines function as a whole. Somehow I’ve broken that model on a few occasions giving me insight as to the flaws in each system. Machines, not people, scan resumes and decide, based on algorithms, if someone is a good fit for a job based on key words. A.I. can generate a resume in an instant that will get the job offer while a professional designer’s resume doesn’t fit the model Word Document format for scanning so it goes directly into the trash bin. Another major missed opportunity. Have you ever been ghosted by the machine?
“For whatever reasons, Ray. Call it fate. Call it luck. Call it karma. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that we were destined to get thrown out of this dump.”
— Bill Murray as Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters, 1984
A few years ago I tried an experiment. I sent out 3,000+ resumes and heard back from less than 1%. Then without sending any more out I was approached by three potential top-notch employers. None of them had I sent a resume to. Two of the three went as far as presenting me an offer. I was still on what I call my “mental health walkabout” so I ended up declining both offers.
A couple of years later two more companies approached me. At one I tried interviewing for two different jobs within their organization. According to their recruiter they decided I was intentionally trying to deceive them by doing so. I figured it was a compliment that I’d like to work there in either capacity, but they didn’t see it that way. Another company pushed me through three rounds of interviews. Then out of nowhere they disappeared entirely. I reached out to their recruiter three times with no response.
Both companies black-balled and ghosted me. Thankfully, as it turned out, it was a blessing in disguise.
So, with that said, I find it rather odd I was briskly pushed aside since nearly every job I’ve ever gotten since middle school was from a soon to be lifelong friend. One job always led to another, and so on. The times I was either let go or had to step down was directly due to my poor mental health at the time.
If you know me, really know me, you know I’m a sharpshooter, but I’m also a straight shooter. My career history proves this statement is accurately assigned.
Repeat business tells the truth. I have no apologies to offer to those folks that ghosted me or anyone else that displayed poor form to any other potential candidates.
Be kind, use your manners, and never make assumptions, especially if you’re on a hiring team. It’s more hurtful to the hiring company’s reputation in the end than the individual being ghosted. Word travels fast especially by word of mouth.
A leader I follow and admire on LinkedIn pointed out I was very lucky having not gone to work for them. She pointed out if that’s how they treat someone they’re pursuing then just imagine how poorly their full-timers are treated.
Karma has guided and protected me since I started freelancing when I was 12. I learned early on that my path contained many overlapping paths of others. I am thankful to be all in one piece. My childhood passions for art, technology, and storytelling have never been stronger. I’ve been playing, not working, for decades to make a living. I’ve never liked the term work/life balance. Drop the work. We’re here to play.
Many thanks TTI for making things right. Others were not so kind. Boo!