Spooky Situations: Recruiter's Version

Every profession has its spooky stories. In recruiting, we just call them "Wednesdays". Between ghosting candidates, shifting priorities, and never-ending requisitions, these moments are part of the job. In the spirit of the season, here are a few recruiter scenarios that send shivers down our spines, plus the simple ways to handle them.

The Vanishing Candidate

A missed interview can throw everything off, but it’s best not to assume the worst. Life happens! Time zones, emergencies, and tech issues are real. Reach out to check in before moving on. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt maintains professionalism and sometimes even saves a great candidate from being written off too soon. If you don't hear back, you can probably safely assume that you've been ghosted. More on that here.

The Out-of-Office Curse

When a hiring manager goes on vacation mid-search, things can stall fast. Don’t let your pipeline freeze, though. Keep candidates in the loop about the delay, share realistic next steps, and reaffirm your continued interest. Even a short update can make a big difference in maintaining engagement and ensuring the candidate experience remains as positive as possible.

The Cursed Calendar

You finally get everyone’s availability lined up, send the invite, and five minutes later, someone replies, “Actually, can we move it?”. When schedules start shifting, the best thing you can do is stay flexible and document everything. Confirm new times in writing, keep your notes up to date, and don’t take it personally because calendar chaos happens to everyone.

The Haunted Hiring Manager

When a hiring manager is frustrated about timing, it can feel intense. But most of the time, they just need reassurance. Acknowledge their concerns, let them know you hear them, and communicate where things stand. If you can’t resolve it right away, thank them for the feedback and follow up with a plan or update once you’ve regrouped with your team. Clear communication goes a long way.

The Shapeshifting Job Description

If the role seems to change every time you meet with the hiring team, it’s a sign to slow down and clarify expectations. Ask direct questions, take detailed notes, and confirm changes in writing. Doing so keeps everyone aligned and helps you source candidates that truly fit the latest version of the need.

Behind every tough moment in recruiting is usually an opportunity to strengthen communication and relationships. Staying steady through the “spooky” parts of the process is what builds trust, and that’s where great partnerships begin. Reach out to us at Panaro Group if your hiring process has felt a little haunted lately. We help teams lift the curse of empty pipelines and find the right fit faster.

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