Ghosting Must Go

by Mackenzie Cates-Allen

The consensus is in. Ghosting must go. In case you aren’t aware, ghosting is technically defined by Merriam Webster as “informal : the act or practice of abruptly cutting off all contact with someone (such as a former romantic partner) by no longer accepting or responding to phone calls, instant messages, etc.” But let me assure you this is a professional practice as well.

Look, full disclosure, I have made the mistake of doing what I’m about to write about in the past. That was when I was younger; I learned the error of my ways, and I have never purposefully engaged in it professionally. Now this ‘professional ghosting’ refers to official company functions, I don’t mean LinkedIn, Facebook or social media. That’s also not a great look but can be given a pass, unless it’s your sole means of doing business.

Some examples of professional ghosting include: having a communication with a potential employee, asking if such and such day at 11am is good for an interview, the employee confirms almost instantly, then writes back because they never heard anything, and the person says, oh I’m sorry, it’s not going to work, or having a pre-interview with a company and being told, so-and-so will get back to you with further steps. The interviewee asks specifically whether that will happen if it’s a yes or a no, they say yes…and then never hearing back. A well-respected and talented friend from another country told me “companies contact me to offer me a job, I send them” all my info “and then they ghost me.”

Things happen, I get it. 2020 was the worst year of my life, so I understand things getting away from you. The worldwide collective trauma that has occurred that has affected us physically, emotionally, and even physiologically. Running a business, being a part of an organization, it gets busy.

Conversely, if ghosting is your set policy, I do not understand. Particularly if your whole actual job is to communicate with people about a job, duty, or function.

Let me tell you what the effect of ghosting is: Worry, confusion, displeasure, anger, instant (and enduring) loss of respect for the company. Ghosting is childish. Not only is it dispiriting for the one being ghosted, it’s just unprofessional.

Ghosting says I don’t have respect for you or for your time, or for your ability to handle the unvarnished truth.

It doesn’t matter what kind of business you have or are a part of, ghosting does nothing but hurt your reputation.

As a workforce, even the youngest among us have experienced international acts of terrorism, multiple recessions, outbreaks and an international pandemic, among the ever-changing aspects of society. We can handle you telling us that you don’t want us to work for you. Or that you do want us to, but can’t afford us. Or that we’re overqualified. Or underqualified.

Or… or… or.

Whatever the case may be, just say it. In an email, over the phone, or in person. It’s the right thing to do, and it only helps everyone in the long run.

Ghosting should be a thing of the past. Let’s all work to make it that way.

———————————

Mackenzie Cates-Allen is a professional living and working in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. You can reach her at mackenzieca@sheofmanyhats.com.