Why do great candidates not call back?

Well today I need help from y’all. I need to try to get some sort of idea of why a candidate wouldn’t return any of the calls from any of our recruiters. Everyone that has talked to this guy is completely baffled.  

Some background for you. Found a candidate with 23 years of experience in the industry, with a major brand. Senior level multi-unit guy. He was a perfect fit for the post that I had. He was referred by one of my partner firms. The job that I had was just what he was looking for. He was very familiar with the concept and even though it required a relocation, it was to a very desirable area where he and his family had lived before and had relatives.

The first interview (mostly a pre-screen but lasting about 1 hour) went very well. Debriefed with both parties and everyone was excited. We set up the next telephone interview with the person who would be his direct supervisor. During my debrief from the first interview, I told the candidate that I knew he would do well, and that he should start thinking in terms of what an acceptable offer would be. He should also start thinking about what obstacles needed to be overcome in order for him and his family to commit to relocation.

The second interview happened on a Tuesday and the client company conveyed that they were very interested in pursuing the candidate and wanted to fly him in ASAP. Here is where things go haywire. The candidate began ducking our calls. None of the recruiters that he had spoken to could get a call back. He wasn’t answering emails. It was if he just disappeared.

Not being one to give up easily, a called in a favor from a friend of mine. He eventually got in touch with the candidate and told him that there was a job in Ohio that he was perfect for. We had the candidate call one of the other recruiters in my office who pitched a job in Ohio (the candidate didn’t want to work for the company) and a job in Georgia. The candidate was very excited about the GA position and my recruiter cleared relocation and salary. Before they went any further, my recruiter let the candidate know that he was part of my company…. at that point the candidate freaked… said he wasn’t interested, and hung up the phone.

Several things don’t make sense to me. Why would a professional of 23 years behave in such an unprofessional manner? What motivates a candidate to suddenly just avoid phone calls? Why not just have a conversation? He was obviously still in the job market and hadn’t taken a position, so why not go on the interview? Why would a candidate suddenly have no interest in seeking a job that a few moments ago he described as exciting, based on the company that has the search?

So guys, give me some of your ideas. Have you ever done anything like that? Have you avoided phone calls from recruiters? On what basis? Would you turn down the chance to pursue a great job based on the recruiting company that had the assignment?

About the author, Chief Executive Restaurant Recruiter

Born in Arkansas, moved to FL for 3 years as a youngster. Lived in GA most of my life. Married in 1985, 2 kids, one of each. Graduate of USNA Class of 1980. Love golf, computers, poker, photography, and gadgets.

  1. Carl – you got me on this one. I’ve seen some strange things over the years, but this guy is over the top.

    I’ve oftentimes been in situations where the great candidate fails to call back. But this one takes the cake.

    It really sounds fishy – almost as if he got some incorrect info about your company from a third party and is now unwilling to work with you.

    If you find out, please post it so we can all get to the bottom of this!

    Nice blog – keep up the good work.

  2. I just don’t understand this. Back when I worked in the corporate world, I’ve definitely been embarrassed to say I changed my mind, but I’ve always taken the calls because why burn bridges?

    I agree with Dennis -it sounds as though this guy heard something about your firm that scared him off. Very odd.

  3. Louise, I thought of that… BUT, I’m not the hiring company. Once he accepts the job, he never has to speak to me again. How could he hear of something AFTER the second interview that would spook him enough to not do a fly in? For a compnay that he was excited about, in a place that he wanted to live in? And why would he not return hiring company calls.

    Found out also that he and the guy that would be his direct supervisor had worked with some of the same people. Everyone the HA talked to really liked the guy.

  4. Guys,

    I don’t think that it will make you feel better, however I had experienced a similar thing some 3 times.

    “A similar thing” = a candidate who stops returning calls after a second interview (just when he/she needs to make the final decision). The funny thing is they didn’t answer calls from neither of several different phones I used to call them. I also asked my colleagues to call – no answer. How can one be so weird? Imagine – you act dead for about a week. You’re not reachable. You don’t answer anyone.

    What’s the reason? Ok, they say that it’s just that: “I decided to stay where I am”. Jee! I should say that by doing what they did, I would certainly want them to stay where they are; and I certainly feel sorry for their current employers.

    People who became terrified when in need to make a serious decision. 🙂

    What did I learn from that? Most candidates are not worth to be pushed (pushing is a wrong strategy in this business anyway). Make the candidates be the ones who need to make first step toward the opportunity and you save your time, your money and place the best candidates. A best candidate is usually both perfectly qualified and perfectly motivated.

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