If you're dating someone and you decide to end it, a heartless way to break up with them is by the act of ghosting: cutting off contact with them completely, ignoring their texts and calls, with no explanation for ending the relationship.

Let's have a look at a usual, modern-day dating app scenario…

Ryan is swiping through Tinder. He likes the tall blonde he sees in Hannah's profile picture so stops to read her profile:

“Architect with a passion for cooking, hiking and watching The Block! If you love frenchies you will LOVE my dog Bruno!”

Low and behold he swipes right – she's beautiful and educated and he too likes food, The Block, dogs and hiking. Why not?! This could be just what he's looking for. They book in a date at the local fancy Italian – Hannah's heard they do the best seafood linguine.

Come 8pm on Friday, Ryan sits down at their table for 2 and waits.

And waits… the clock ticks by… 8.45pm… 9pm… Where is she? Tinder - no reply. Facebook - no reply. WhatsApp - no reply. Her phone goes straight to voicemail.

Yep. Ghosted. Again.

Does this situation sound familiar? Well, it does to me. I'm actually not talking about the tall, educated blonde or the online dating world. I'm talking about ghosting in the recruitment industry! Unfortunately, the act of ghosting is becoming increasingly common in the working world.

I find the perfect candidate, say, Hannah. Spark up a wonderful conversation and submit her to a position that 'seems' like her dream job. It has everything she's looking for – a higher salary, career progression, and a young fun culture. Hannah is filled with excitement to hear she has secured an interview, and we schedule it for a suitable time.

Come interview day, the client calls me. It's been half an hour and she's nowhere to be seen! Desperately trying to make contact, I repeatedly receive her voicemail. This goes on for an entire week before I give up and never hear from her again. Yep! Ghosted!

What happened? I thought we both swiped right!?

Even worse is when you've actually been on multiple dates with the potential suitor.

For example, I've had experiences when the candidate has already met with the client and is on the second or even third interview. And then out of nowhere – poof! No reply on all channels of communication. Totally ghosted. Devastating.

I wasn't even getting clingy this time! Or was I? Did I get too much?

As you can imagine this can be frustrating because my clients trust me as a recruitment partner. But the impact is far worse on the candidates who ghost, which makes me think they clearly don't consider the consequences of doing this. The level of unprofessionalism is astounding and shows, quite frankly, a total lack of respect.

A simple phone call to apologise and give the honest reason why you've changed your mind about the interview or accepting the role, is enough. That far into the hiring process, it can still be frustrating for the employer and show you in a negative light, but it's far better than ghosting. It's a professional courtesy that shows you respect the time and energy spent to hire you.

Who cares if I ghost? There's plenty more fish in the sea for me – I get over 10 'winks' a day you know!

Perhaps a reason for this ghosting is that the economy is currently stronger than ever, resulting in a talent-short market and candidates receiving multiple headhunting calls and job offers. However, as we know from history, it won't always be this way. It's only a matter of time before the tables turn once again and there will be more qualified job seekers in the market than vacancies. Remember - recruiters and employers will never forget that time you ghosted.

Another reason is that in today's modern and increasingly digital world, people are now hiding behind technology. It appears that we live in a throw-away society where success is expected to be handed out on a plate. Has our generation forgotten all sense of manners and politeness? Are we forgetting what it's like to make real human connections as opposed to a profile picture that you can just swipe away and never see again?

Well, I've been ghosted before so it's my turn to ghost someone else…

I do appreciate this works mutually, and it's terrible for a candidate if they've ever been ghosted by a recruiter themselves. Which is why I personally always make sure I reply with an email if a candidate is unsuccessful with their application. I also spend a huge amount of time preparing candidates for interviews, which is why I find 'ghosting at interview stage' even more distasteful.

Ghosting is the easier option than enduring an 'uncomfortable' conversation – then we can both continue on our merry way.

I know what you're thinking - since you met on Bumble and don't have any friends in common, it's not the end of the world if you just drop off the face of the earth. It's the easy way out.

This might be the case, and while I might not be able to convince you to stop ghosting your dates, in the professional world the consequences have a severe impact on your reputation and personal integrity. Not to mention the wasted time of the consultant. By representing you, they are risking their professional reputations with clients they have painstakingly built relationships with over the years.

Instead, let's spread the love this Valentines Day and work together to put an end to ghosting in the recruitment world - for everyone's benefit!

If you are serious about mapping out your next career move, here's 3 things you can do:

1. Submit your resume and register on our website to receive tailored job alerts;
2. Follow us on LinkedIn;
3. Give me call on 0401 659 354 or contact me via email on bhoness@morganconsulting.com.au today