Just Say No

My Inbox Lately?

Brutal.

A disturbing trend is unfolding: an overwhelming number of you report being left adrift after dedicating hours to assessments and video recordings, only to be met with silence or cryptic emails that spawn more questions than answers.

A Personal Stand

I draw the line here: I refuse to jump through digital hoops without a semblance of human connection. I've adopted a personal policy: no assessments without a promise of interaction.

Forget Pink Floyd; you're not just another brick in the wall. We are all multidimensional beings, deserving of dialogue before plunging into assessments. This is especially true if you're unemployed—your time is your most precious asset. It's utterly reasonable to expect reciprocity for your time, even more so when you're in the job market.

Setting the Upfront Contract

When I receive frustrated messages, I often respond:

Did you inform the company that they can't treat you this way?

Did you specify that a basic level of engagement—a 15-minute conversation or a brief review of your assessment—is a prerequisite for your participation? That this modest commitment, which they can retract if your assessment falls short, marks your boundary? Most admit they haven't.

Requesting common courtesy might seem radical these days. Yet, I insist on it.

Kudos to the companies that recognize the importance of a human touch before the test. You're doing it right. You're the real MVPs.

The Bottom Line

Our worth—yours and mine—isn't measured by an assessment. It's defined by the connections we establish and the value we contribute. It all starts with a simple, “Hello, let’s talk.”

To my peers braving the icy waters of modern recruitment: stay keen, recognize your worth, and insist on that human connection. The most meaningful stories are those born from real interactions, not unilateral assessments.

Let's shift the narrative together, one genuine conversation at a time. 🎸💼