A senior director candidate flew across the country for what the recruiter called "the final conversation" — a five-hour onsite at a major telecom, complete with a case study presentation to the leadership team. The recruiter was effusive. "If there's anything we can do, you name it." "We'll build the role around what you enjoy doing." A quick decision was promised. The candidate sent a thank-you email that evening.
It was never answered.
Two weeks passed. The job posting reappeared online. The travel expenses were never reimbursed. Calls and emails met silence. On Reddit, the candidate wrote that the recruiter had "sold me the dream job, then disappeared."
The post drew thousands of comments, many from professionals who had been through the same routine: the lavish promises, the sudden silence, the reposted listing. One commenter put it bluntly: "A recruiter recruits. They don't hire. Assume you are not the first choice until someone with budget authority re-engages."
At time of writing, the candidate had not received a rejection, a follow-up, or a cheque for the flight.