No reply.
Computers, email, the internet. At their most basic, they are tools - much like a lever, a hammer or a telephone. They are all items that we have developed to make our labors easier and our lives more productive.
Also, like any tool - those digital tools can be used in a variety of ways. After all - a hammer can be used to drive a nail as we build a home - or break a glass countertop as part of a smash and grab. Likewise - digital technology can be used to connect and communicate or it can be used to create distance and evade. At their worst, digital tools can make us feel safe exhibiting the sort of behavior that would be unthinkable in-person.
Below are two scenarios. Do you see yourself in either scenario? Do you feel differently about one scenario vs. another? Do you feel differently in light of the tools available in the different scenarios? Or should that not matter?
Lights up . . . cue the actors . . .
SCENE 1
Having previously connected online a few months prior, Riley the Recruiter and Jamie the Job-seeker make plans to grab coffee near Riley’s office. The plan is to discuss the sort of roles Riley is handling. After all - Jamie might be a good candidate for a position down the road.
At the coffee shop - the two exchange greetings, settle into a booth and each take a sip of coffee. Then Riley slides a print-out across the table. “Jamie - I’m looking for a candidate to fill this particular role. Would it be a good fit for you - or perhaps someone you know?”
Jamie reviews the job specs, pulls out a one-page resume and hands it to Riley. “My most recent work wouldn’t necessarily make me an obvious choice - but my previous experience checks just about every box in the job description (and then some). Additionally - it mentions that the employer wants to fill the role with someone whose values align with their mission. I am spot on in that regard. So - I think it could be a good fit for me. What do you think, Riley?”
Riley scans Jamie’s resume. “Hmmm - got anything with greater detail?”
Jamie pulls out a laptop, punches up LinkedIn and spins it toward Riley. “Here’s my LinkedIn profile with more detail. What do you think?”
Riley pulls the laptop closer, scans Jamie’s LinkedIn profile and - without a word - gets up from the table and makes for the exit.
Confused, Jamie calls out. “Riley - any feedback? Your thoughts? Is there potential here?”
Apparently unfazed - Riley opens the door of the coffee shop, steps out onto the sidewalk and motions for a cab.
Jamie gets up, follows Riley out the door and joins Riley at the curb. “Hey, Riley - maybe you didn’t hear me. Now that you have more details - what are your thoughts? Is this worth pursuing?”.
Ignoring Jamie, Riley looks further up the street - neck craned - hoping to flag down a cab.
Perplexed, Jamie says “Hey, Riley - umm - I don’t mean to be a pest. So - you know - if you’re thinking ‘good fit’, great! But if not, not a problem. Either way - though - I’d love to just get some feedback so I know what you’re thinking . . . and I can stop pestering you.”
Riley’s hand drops and turns to Jamie. “They want someone with experience in industry X - and I didn’t see that on your LinkedIn profile.”
“Ah”, Jamie replies. “Yes - that’s true. You don’t see that on my LinkedIn profile. I worked at a senior level in industry X earlier in my career - but I hadn’t bothered listing it on LinkedIn, And - many of my recent clients are in industry X. I’m happy to update my profile to reflect both of those things - easy enough. So - given that, what do you think?"
Without responding, Riley turns away from Jamie and returns to hailing a cab.
Yet again, Jamie tries to get clarity. “Hey. Umm - Riley? What else? What are your thoughts on what I just told you?”
Riley turned back to Jamie. “They also want someone that is currently doing exactly what this new position entails. You did this sort of work a few years back - but they want someone that is very much in the weeds in this type of work right now. That’s a deal breaker for them.”
“Ah, I see.” Jamie replied. “I’m confident in my ability to excel in the role - but I get it. If they feel that they absolutely have to have someone currently doing this very thing - hey - I’m not that person. But if that changes - if at some point it’s no longer a deal-breaker - would you please keep me in mind?.”
A cab roles up and - without saying a word - Riley gets in, closes the door and rides away.
SCENE 2
When Jamie the Job-seeker and Riley the Recruiter first connected online, Riley added Jamie to the firm’s mailing list. After all - Jamie might be a good candidate for a position down the road.
A few months later, Jamie’s email inbox has a note from Riley that includes a very intriguing role. Riley’s email also mentions “If you - or someone you know - may be a good fit, please submit the resume here (link).”
Jamie knows “I may not be an obvious choice for this - but my previous experience checks almost every box in the job description (and then some). Additionally - the mission of this org perfectly aligns with my personal values . . . which the job description says is extremely important to these guys. Honestly - I think it could be a great fit.” So - Jamie sends a brief cover-letter laying it all out along with a one-page resume . . . and suggests a brief chat to Riley so they can discuss the finer points.
The following day, Jamie notes a “profile view” on LinkedIn from Riley - but there is no reply from Riley in Jamie’s email inbox..
The following week, Jamie emails Riley. “Hi, Riley - I see that you took a peak at me on LinkedIn, so I trust you received my cover letter and resume. I’d appreciate 5 minutes of your time so we can quickly discuss on the phone. Thanks in advance.”
No reply.
After yet another week, Jamie emails again. “Hi, Riley. I’m sure you’re busy - but if we could get 5 minutes on the phone, we can quickly run down what you’re thinking . . . and if there’s anything I need to adress, that’ll give me a chance to do so. How about Thu at Noon or Fri at 2:00? Thanks in advance.”
No reply.
A third week goes by and Jamie composes a fourth email. “Hi, Riley. Terribly sorry - I hate to be a pest . . . but a quick 5 minute call will help me understand what you’re thinking. If there’s a possibility here - if there are any concerns I can address - great! If not - if this is an absolute “no go” - that’s fine, too. Either way, it would help me to know - and either way, I can then stop being a pest. How about Mon at 10 or Tue at 3 for a quick call? Thanks in advance.”
Riley finally replies. “Jamie - they want someone with experience in industries X - and I didn’t see that experience on your LinkedIn profile. But I also know that LinkedIn profiles don't paint the full picture.”
Jamie quickly responds. “Correct - I have not worked directly in X - but many of my clients are in industry X. And I actually worked directly in industry X at a senior level for quite a while. Since it was earlier in my career, I hadn't bothered including it on my LinkedIn profile.. . . .but I’m happy to add it. Easy enough. Given that, what do you think?”.
Riley replies. “They also want someone that is currently doing exactly what this new position entails. You did this sort of work a few years back - but they want someone that is very much in the weeds in this type of work RIGHT NOW. That’s a deal breaker for them.”
Jamie replies - “Ah - ok. I see. I’m confident in my ability to excel in the role - but I get it. If they feel that they absolutely have to have someone currently doing this very thing - hey - I’m not that person. But if that changes - if at some point it’s no longer a deal-breaker - would you please keep me in mind?.”
No reply.