Several events inspired the writing of this missive: The continued dehumanization of recruiting and the receipt of rejection letters that despite an intended dose of “but you tried your hardest”, in fact, reek of callousness and mediocrity.

In professional wrestling, the term “kayfabe” is the practice of keeping the scripted nature of wrestling hidden from the audience; in Talent Acquisition, many have their own version of kayfabe to shield reality from the public. But why?

In full disclosure, while I have my consulting work, I’m still very much interested in an FTE role. Why not? 

While I might be in the “more wisdom than common sense” age bracket, I know that given my family’s longevity and mental acuity in the “advanced stages of life”, a physical presence and energy level that belie said “more wisdom than common sense” age bracket, and a pretty solid global reputation in the Talent Acquisition profession, I have many more years to give to our profession. If Gerry Crispin, the Totem of Talent can do it, so can I!

My How

I’m not an indiscriminate “applier”; I’m interested in mission, social impact, and global goodness and my applies reflect this. I also always pre-set the apply stage with an email to the person who is likely to be the hiring manager (yes, I pixel track the email so I know when it is opened).

Why apply when I have great network and a reasonably impeccable brand? Simple – it’s the only way to capture data points about the company’s candidate experience, one of the most important indicators of a TA team’s ability to succeed.

Let’s have a look at a Tale of Three Messages…

Data Point: Thank You for Applying 

Subject: Thank you for applying to COMPANY

no-reply@us.greenhouse-mail.io 

Steve, 

We understand that the job search can be a winding journey – full of hope, uncertainty, and waiting. So before anything else: thank you. Thank you for taking the time to apply and for considering COMPANY to be a part of your next chapter.

It means a lot that you see potential in what we’re building. We’re truly honored by your interest in joining our mission to make high-quality mental BLANK care more accessible for all. If there’s alignment, we’ll be in touch soon. Until then, we’re glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

The COMPANY Talent Team

**Please note: Do not reply to this email. This email is sent from an unattended mailbox.

Some might say it’s a sweet and caring message in a sea of antiseptic “Thanks for applying. Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” Except that’s what it says but with a spoonful of sugar hoping the medicine goes down.

“Until then, we’re glad you’re here.” With gratitude. But then, “**Please note: Do not reply to this email. This email is sent from an unattended mailbox.” Can’t you just feel the gratitude?

What’s missing? The process. The steps. How people’s résumés and applications are assessed. I checked back on the job post associated with this message and found this: 

“If you don’t meet every single requirement, but are still interested in the job, please apply. Nobody checks every box, and COMPANY believes the perfect candidate is more than just a resume.”

If the COMPANY believes “the perfect candidate is more than just a resume”, wouldn’t it behoove them to include the assessment points in the application acknowledgement message?

To TA teams, share your actual assessment process! Remind them of the absolute must-have experiences that will guide how the recruiters read the résumés. You know these…right?

What’s the downside of not being above board and transparent? Rhetorical question…

Data Point: The Rejection Letter

Now for something completely…disingenuous.

COMPANY Recruiting <no-reply@appreview.gem.com>

Hi Steve,

We’re truly grateful you took the time to apply for our JOB_TITLE position and share your background with us. We understand that putting yourself out there during a job search takes courage, and we want you to know how much we appreciate your interest in COMPANY.

After careful review, we have decided to pursue other candidates for this opportunity. This was not an easy decision, and we appreciate the effort and intention behind your application.

It means a lot that you see promise in our mission to expand access to high-quality mental health care. While the timing may not be right today, we hope you’ll stay connected with us. New roles are frequently posted on our careers page, and we’d be glad to cross paths again down the road.

Wishing you clarity and momentum in the next steps of your journey.

Take good care,

The COMPANY Talent Team

Grateful…Courage…Appreciate…After careful review…We hope you’ll stay connected with us. From a no-reply email.

While I see that this TA team has decided to take the position that many spoonfuls of sugar are required to make the medicine go down, my core issue with this form of disposition is the phrase “after careful review.” Why wouldn’t this TA function explain what this means? They had the chance in the application acknowledgement message and again here. Could it be that it is far more subjective than objective?

Well, yes.

Then more spoonfuls of sugar with the nasty medicine.

Again, from a no-reply, unmonitored email.

Can’t you just feel the love?

Data Point: A Better Solution 

My buddy Bret Feig (if you’re seeking a head of TA, contact him!) and I used this disposition at a previous employer and the positive data was overwhelming. 2-3 people per 1000 came back with a challenge and were reviewed. I can’t remember ever receiving any FUs but the sheer volume of thank yous, referrals, and connection was a testament to how embracing Humanity can be an asset to TA.

For some reason, being truly honest and transparent is not expected – so when it is present, people are surprised, with many bordering on being flabbergasted. Our disposition…

Thank you so much for showing such a keen interest in joining the COMPANY’S Product Partnership team.

For this role [hyperlink], the most critical criteria that play a part in my assessment are (a) the depth of one’s Partnership experience in delivering results related to the Success Metrics noted in the description; (b) a Payments industry focus – it is what we do; (c) an expertise with SKILL; (d) product focused experience; and (e) significant experience in exceptionally competitive partnership markets – with results tied back to the Success Metrics.

On balance, as I looked at these criteria against your on-paper experience and against the other people, I’m moving forward with a few others who clearly offered the composition of skills closer to what our head of partnerships is seeking – the most critical element for being extensive merchant payments experience. Obviously, this isn’t the news you wanted to hear – I’m sorry 

If by some chance I misread your résumé or you forgot to include some of the specific criteria noted above, please let me know, send me an updated résumé, and I’ll be happy to revisit your application. Really.

I do sincerely hope that we can stay in touch (happy to connect on LinkedIn and share my connections with you) and that you will consider speaking with me in the future when other roles open with us. What this means is that if you see something, it’s okay to “cut the line” and simply email me (another application will not be needed).

Again, thanks so much for your interest in COMPANY.

Steve

Yes, it came from a real person not a no-reply address.

What You Can Do 

We literally have one chance to make a first impression; with so many company choices facing the people we covet, to accept mediocrity in our processes means we’re setting ourselves up for a future AI intervention.

Why do far too many TA organizations take the easy way out when informing applicants that the train isn’t traveling any farther down the tracks?

Inexperience. Fear. Workload. Culture. How they were taught. Not knowing they can question things. All of the above…

The best hedge against artificial intelligence completely taking over your job is to offer the humane experiences, transparency with your process, and actionable information that not only surprise people but leave them with thinking, “Yes, they’re right – but now I really want to work there one day.”