TWO in three job hunters working with recruiters have then been “ghosted” — left with no role and no explanation.
Most of them say the experience resulted in them questioning their abilities, with 17 per cent feeling “severely depressed”, a new study claims.
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An astonishing 75 per cent of men have been through this ordeal in the jobseeking process, and 58 per cent of women.
Londoners are most likely to be affected.
Worryingly, 43 per cent of ghosted applicants said it took them weeks or even months to regain their self-confidence. And virtually all — 94 per cent — felt negatively afterward about the company involved.
A new push has now begun to attempt to improve the feedback from recruiters.
Employers that have signed up to the campaign — being run by software firm Tribepad — include the British Medical Association, civil engineer Colas, Southeastern Railways and Entain, the brand behind Ladbrokes.
Tribepad chief executive Dean Sadler says: “Ghosting in recruitment is having a hugely detrimental impact on mental health. So we are calling for brands to acknowledge the problem and address it.”
Niamh Spence was contacted by a recruiter and invited to apply for a job, then ghosted.
The senior account manager, 30, from Manchester, says: “I took time off to go to the head office, which was over an hour away, had an interview, did a presentation which took me hours to prepare for, met the heads of department, and was told I was exactly what they were looking for.
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“But after that, the communication went dead.
“I called, emailed and even contacted the firm on LinkedIn to find out what was happening.
“I saw that my messages had been read but nobody responded.
“It made me feel so silly. I don’t understand why recruiters behave like this. Sectors are small. Word gets around.”
Psychologist Muge Ahmet says: “Recruiters need to be aware of the impact their actions have on the person looking for a job and take on a level of accountability.
“A follow-up courtesy email takes mere minutes to draft and could make a world of difference to the person looking for work.”
You can find out more at end-ghosting.com.
HOOKED ON YOUR WORK?
TELLY’S Mark Wright reckons he’s addicted to work, saying: “People love going to the fairground. I love going to work.”
Today, psychologist Sir Cary Cooper, of addiction care specialist Delamere, reveals seven signs of a workaholic.
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- You work more than intended. Skipping your lunch break and working long hours into the evening? Try to establish boundaries to switch off.
- Drinking too much. Using alcohol to de-stress after work is a sign that you might need help.
- Using work to escape personal problems. Those with a work addiction tend to dive head-first into their work to distract themselves from problems occurring elsewhere in their lives.
- Trouble sleeping. As the mind is so alert in the day, people with a work addiction tend to suffer from insomnia.
- Not working stresses you out. This tends to stem from guilt at not devoting yourself to your job all the time.
- Deprioritising aspects of your personal life. Not exercising, eating too many takeaways and meeting up with friends less regularly are signs of overworking.
- Loved ones are worried. If you get comments about your working lifestyle from those close to you, take action.
FOCUS ON AUTISM
IT is Autism Acceptance Week right now — and IT consultancy Auticon is looking for autistic people to train as consultants.
No prior experience is needed.
Official figures reveal that just 22 per cent of autistic people are employed. And many employers do not realise what they can contribute as workers.
Steve Hill, Auticon’s commercial director, said: “As a global team, we recognise the brilliant skills that autistic people can bring to the workforce.
“We are dedicated to finding exciting and fulfilling roles that are suited to their individual talents.”
You can apply now at auticon.co.uk/now-hiring.
Jobspot
SECURITY provider G4S is on the hunt for area officers around the country.
You can apply now at securebetter.co.uk.
Brum and get it
DON miss out on the very best careers advice.
Birmingham rapper Stefflon Don is playing a free gig in her home city on April 6, hosted by careers platform Apprentice Nation.
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One in five Brummie youngsters are jobless, compared with one in ten nationwide.
As well as music, the show will feature advice to help boost the confidence of young people looking to develop their careers.
Stefflon Don said: “I know how important it is young people get information early on about their career choices and finances.
“When it comes to helping the next generation to shape their future, I’m all in.”
The gig will be streamed on April 14. Apply for free tickets at apprenticenation.co.uk/join.
