Picture this: You have an interview scheduled with Company A. You were really excited about the position in the beginning, but after having some time to research and think about the opportunity more, you decide you are no longer interested.
What do you do?
A. Email or call the hiring manager and let them know.
B. Don’t show up; they’ll get the hint.
Be honest…
I’d like to think we all WANT to do Option A, but let’s face it: Most of us would rather take the easy way out and just ghost the interview completely. No confrontation. No problem. Right?
—
Wrong.
2018 has been full of career buzzwords, one of which is developing your “Personal Brand”. If you are a firm believer in operating under Option B, then you are developing a very poor brand for yourself. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind; it’s actually highly respected that you understand your goals early on. However, not providing a call or email shows that:
- You don’t respect that person’s time
- You lack professional courtesy
The worst part of a “No Call, No Show” is that most people don’t realize just how connected of a world we live in. Word spreads. Whether you are working with a hiring manager directly or partnered with a recruiter, the way you conduct yourself at every moment sets the stage of any future referrals or opportunities.
Do you really want to be known as the person that never shows up for interviews?
Yah, that will help you get a job. People talk; I’ll leave it at that.
So please do everyone a favor: Send a quick, professional email to your interviewer if you no longer want to proceed with the opportunity. It doesn’t have to be long or detailed, but give them a heads up. They will be more grateful than you know, trust me.
