“If you think hiring is expensive, try a lack of empathy.”
Picture this: You’re a job applicant, excitedly hitting ‘send’ on your perfectly crafted resume, only to be met with… crickets. Weeks go by, and not a peep from the company. Now, multiply this scenario by a thousand applicants, and what do you get? A ticking empathy time bomb that’s about to explode all over your brand’s shiny reputation.
The Cold Shoulder: An Iceberg to Your Brand Titanic
In the corporate world, giving job applicants the cold shoulder is akin to walking into a room full of people and ignoring everyone who isn’t immediately useful to you. Imagine if Apple launched a product but ignored everyone who didn’t immediately buy it. Sounds absurd, right? Yet, many companies do this daily with potential employees, forgetting that today’s rejected applicant might be tomorrow’s superstar hire—or worse, a disgruntled social media warrior.
The Ripple Effect: From Rejected Applicants to Alienated Customers
Every candidate you ghost isn’t just a potential hire; they’re also a potential customer, advocate, or detractor. When you treat applicants poorly, word spreads like wildfire. Remember when United Airlines dragged that poor doctor off a plane? The ripple effects were felt far and wide, with customers swearing off the airline. Similarly, your brand can suffer if word gets out that you treat job seekers like they’re invisible.
Real-Life Horror Story: The Ghost of Candidates Past
Let’s dive into a real-life horror story. Meet Jane, a brilliant marketer with a decade of experience. Jane applied to her dream company, excitedly tailoring her resume and cover letter. She was a perfect fit. Weeks passed with no response. Finally, she received a generic rejection email. Frustrated and disheartened, Jane shared her experience on LinkedIn. Her post went viral, attracting thousands of comments from others who’d had similar experiences with the same company.
The fallout? The company’s Glassdoor rating plummeted, their social media was flooded with negative comments, and they lost several key clients who didn’t want to be associated with a brand that treated people so poorly. Ouch.
The Empathy Solution: A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way
So, how do you avoid this empathy apocalypse? Simple: treat every applicant with respect and kindness. Here are a few steps to ensure you’re not just another company people love to hate:
- Acknowledge Every Application: A simple email confirmation goes a long way in making applicants feel valued.
- Communicate Regularly: Keep candidates informed about their application status. Even if it’s a no, let them know promptly and kindly.
- Provide Constructive Feedback: If possible, give applicants feedback on why they weren’t selected. It helps them grow and shows that you care.
- Create a Positive Experience: Make the application process as smooth and pleasant as possible. Remember, this is their first impression of your company.
The Bottom Line: Empathy Equals Brand Equity
In the cutthroat world of business, empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. Ignoring job applicants not only hurts your brand but can also impact your bottom line. A company that values people, from potential hires to loyal customers, builds a reputation that’s worth its weight in gold.
So, next time you’re tempted to ghost an applicant, remember: in the game of brand value, empathy always wins. And who knows? That applicant you treated with kindness today might just become your biggest advocate tomorrow.
