The recruiter scheduled a call. Rescheduled for three weeks later. Then vanished — she'd been laid off herself.

A video game industry professional, already laid off once, was contacted by a recruiter who seemed genuinely interested. She scheduled a call. Then no-showed. Apologised, rescheduled for three weeks out. On the rescheduled date: another no-show. When the candidate checked, the recruiter's email bounced. Her LinkedIn profile now read "open to work." She had been laid off — and nobody told her pipeline of candidates.