*** Impactful Read, for reference DFW Metro *** Good morning! I am...

*** Impactful Read, for reference DFW Metro ***
Good morning! I am writing out of disappointment and burnout. Multifamily is an industry that I absolutely love and adore! I am proud to say that I have been in this field for over 20 years. After leaving my previous position for another opportunity, I have been diligently working to get back onsite for the past four months. Despite making it to the second and third rounds of interviews, I find myself ghosted when I follow up with regional managers or VPs.
When I was on the hiring side, I always made it a point to follow up with candidates to let them know that I had chosen to go in another direction. After all, they took the time out of their schedules to meet, allowing both of us to showcase what we have to offer. However, the process has become increasingly disheartening. The number of applications, assessments, and the manual entry of application information on multiple websites after uploading a resume can feel like double work, and it becomes overwhelmingly defeating—especially when it leads to no interview at all. There are very few old-school professionals left who genuinely value true customer service, integrity, and honesty. To the regionals reading this, the same energy used to contact potential applicants should be extended to letting them know when they didn’t get the job. Ghosting does far worse damage. It’s disheartening to see your LinkedIn profile viewed multiple times, only to receive no reply to your messages. If it’s not the right fit, being transparent is perfectly acceptable. Remember, you never know when you might find yourself on the other side of the desk, and I can guarantee that you would want to be treated with respect.
Recruiters, please respond to emails and phone calls; honesty is essential. Don’t ghost candidates. I know I’m not alone in this struggle—many others are experiencing the same frustration. The competition is fierce, making it harder for everyone. Even applying for jobs that cross over into other industries often results in silence. As we enter the last quarter, I understand that most companies slow down with hiring, but why place ads online and conduct interviews if you have no intention of hiring anyone? 
The job-seeking experience can be a lonely and disheartening journey, and it’s crucial that we remember the human aspect of this process. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Guest Insider Thank you so much for posting this. I'm an old school professional and I've been seeking work as a Property Manager. I've been ghosted many times and it's just inconsiderate and rude. As the old saying goes, "Treat people the way you want to be treated". We are human beings with feelings.

Anonymous member Sadly, they won’t understand until they are on the other side of the desk. History has proven that people change their actions or ways of thinking when things hit home; it’s like a light bulb goes off.

Guest Insider Completely agree with this statement.

Brent Williams I think a lot is said about a company for how it treats non-customers or non-employees.

Anthony T Petrone I completely agree that applicants deserve more then what most companies are doing, it is a sad state we are in. If you have an in-person interview, you should get a phone call, period and anything less is unacceptable. If you apply and are rejected, you should get an email.

What percentage of leasing inquiries go unanswered by our communities or properly followed up with because of the way we generate leads these days with technology?

I work in Talent Acquisition, and we talk about this a lot. We talk about how we should never be “that” company but sometimes find ourselves doing it for what appear to be acceptable reasons. I am not defending a company that ghosts applicants as there does need to be communication, transparency and accountability, however, times have changed and there are reasons this is happening.

One reason is Indeed, and other job board sites “Quick Apply” function allowing applicants to apply with a click of a button, generating sometimes hundreds of non-qualified... Show more

I completely agree that applicants deserve more then what most companies are doing, it is a sad state we are in. If you have an in-person interview, you should get a phone call, period and anything less is unacceptable. If you apply and are rejected, you should get an email.

What percentage of leasing inquiries go unanswered by our communities or properly followed up with because of the way we generate leads these days with technology?

I work in Talent Acquisition, and we talk about this a lot. We talk about how we should never be “that” company but sometimes find ourselves doing it for what appear to be acceptable reasons. I am not defending a company that ghosts applicants as there does need to be communication, transparency and accountability, however, times have changed and there are reasons this is happening.

One reason is Indeed, and other job board sites “Quick Apply” function allowing applicants to apply with a click of a button, generating sometimes hundreds of non-qualified applicants. This makes it very challenging to spend time on a single applicant in fear you will miss the good ones. AI can help but poses its own issues. People are more willing to move about these days which creates a national applicant pool flood that can be complicated for a company to navigate.

78% of job seekers said they have ghosted a company, making companies callous to the process. Companies should be better and regardless take the high road. Companies are dealing with hiring people that ghost them after a signed offer, passed background and just not showing up on day one because another opportunity circled back for them to take or a counteroffer from their current employer.

The process from all sides has become broken, where I am at we try to be better, no argument there but to put 100% of the blame on companies isn’t really telling the whole story.

Kalyn Schutz I agree with Brent's statement. If this is how a prospective team member is treated, this could be a warning sign - the proverbial "RED FLAG!" about the inner workings of the company - and hence, possibly a blessing in disguise that we have not been selected. Granted with the many submissions of resumes it can be difficult to keep up and respond to all, however - when a candidate has been interviewed there should be follow-up communications.

Kalyn Schutz Ooops, I thought I could hit enter to make a line space! I have more to say. I am sorry that you are experiencing the disregard of companies while on a job search. I, too, have had similar experiences. What have I done about it? Taking note. AND no longer responding to these companies job postings and certainly do not recommend them to my colleagues. Each and every interaction we conduct with prospective residents and to prospective team members and to vendors - should be held in high value and performed allowing dignity to manifest. I have created future customers from disinterested parties because of the hospitality and value placed on the interaction. Companies that will not treat prospective team members with dignity likely do not treat current team members with dignity, and likely do not treat residents with dignity.

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