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This week, I circled back to an article from January that once again made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brainstem. 👉 Jobseekers claim Aussie hiring managers are ghosting them It tells the story of Chris — a Sydney-based analyst who applied for hundreds of roles over the past year. He hasn’t had a single interview. Not one. Nada. And yes, hiring managers ghosting candidates is frustrating (and frankly, inexcusable — especially when most of them have access to software that can send bulk rejection emails in 0.03 seconds). There’s no excuse for leaving people in limbo. But here’s the hard truth: If you’ve applied for hundreds of jobs and haven’t had one interview, the problem isn’t just ghosting. It’s also your approach. I say this with love, not judgement — because I’ve been working with someone in the exact same position. Amazing track record. Senior-level experience. But their job search? Held together with hope. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are lots of factors that contribute to a productive job search — applying for the right roles, having a quality resume and cover letter, timing your application well… and of course: follow-up. In this case, that last bit was a missing piece. Follow-up wasn’t happening consistently. There wasn’t a clear record of what had been applied for, who had been spoken to, or whether the job had even closed. So we fixed it. We cleaned up the application pipeline — just like a newly hired Business Development rep would. We built a follow-up strategy, got organised, and sent targeted emails. And just this week, one of those follow-ups — sent weeks after a seemingly silent interview — led to a callback and the possibility of a second round. Not because they got lucky. Because they went all in on the process. So yes — the hiring system needs a serious shake-up. But while we wait for recruiters to stop ghosting and start communicating like functional adults, you need to make sure your job search isn’t running on vibes and a prayer.
If you’re feeling ghosted — don’t scream into the void. Reply with receipts. ~ Lisa PS: Need a job tracker to keep your head on straight? Here’s a free one I made earlier – Job Application Tracker.xlsx Your Q&AEquity Only? That’s Cute. Hi Lisa, I have received a job offer as the head of business development for a start-up. It’s a medical diagnostics company in a technology-driven industry. I’m interested…except… They offered a “non-traditional compensation” package, which would include equity and a role within the company, but no salary. I would be allowed to do work elsewhere, would have to sign an NDA, and must make a three-year commitment. Have you heard of this type of compensation? What are your thoughts? Kim Hi Kim, So what they’re saying is “We’re broke, but we have big dreams and a Canva pitch deck.” Look, this setup isn’t completely unheard of. In fact, in the land of early-stage startups, it’s practically a rite of passage. Founders get excited, investors get nervous, and then someone has a bright idea: “Let’s offer equity instead of a salary! That way, we can pretend we’re hiring executives without actually having to pay them.” Now, if you’re semi-retired, independently wealthy, or trying to collect exotic job titles like rare Pokémon, then maybe this works. But for most people? It’s a hard pass. Especially when they throw in a three-year commitment like it’s a gym membership you’ll definitely regret in month two. Here’s the truth: If you’re being asked to drive revenue (which, let’s be real, is what business development is) without being paid for your time, then you’re essentially investing in the company — with your labour. That’s a bold move… especially when they’ve offered exactly $0 in return and there’s no guarantee of funding, traction, or even a functional product. That said, if you’re still curious — and you’ve got the risk appetite of someone who thinks Vegas is a good place to invest their super — then counter. Ask for commission tiers. Something like:
But that three-year commitment? Absolutely not. That’s a red flag the size of a billboard. No salary + no guarantees + NDA + multi-year lock-in = the business equivalent of “trust me, babe.” So yes, I’ve heard of it. Yes, I’ve seen it. But unless you can afford to work for free — and like gambling with your time — I’d politely decline and get back to looking for an opportunity that values your time now, not maybe, someday, if the stars align. Thanks for writing in, ~Lisa |
