He’s just not that into you

A few years ago, a friend of mine was going through a severe case of on-again, off-again-itis. I (like any good friend) was stressing because no amount of “he’s no good, you deserve better” was getting through her thick, love-fogged skull. She was so far gone she was turning down adorable, nice and employed fellows. Finally, I got her a book that was pretty new at the time, He’s Just not That into You. Together, we downed entire bags of Riesen’s chocolate candies and explored all the common excuses of men and slowly, she got over the toadie.

Even though I’ve been through similar cases of “wanting what you can’t have”, the whole phenomenon never ceases to amaze me. Chalk it up to the human heart. Well then you explain to me, how this disease, once the domain of teenagers and future Oprah guests, has spread to corporate America. You know what I’m talking about, the “passive candidate”. It’s the only kind of candidate to have apparently. And this perpetuates our precious talent war, since in a recession (see this article from when our economy didn’t suck on adjusting your tactics to the current fiscal state)  there are far fewer passive candidates than before.

Lots of qualified, interested and competent candidates line up at the doors of HR Departments all over the country and are rejected or ignored for the “road less traveled” the “dark horse” . I’m not judging (well, I kind of AM) as I have heard a lot of folks I respect talk about how they only work with passive candidates who already have a job. What I am doing is wondering. . .why?

If someone can supply me with a great reason why candidates who don’t like you, never heard of you and have no interest in moving because they are a super diva rock star are actualy (measurably) better employees than the sweet lady who has always wanted to work at your company and has applied every year since she hearf your marketing VP speak at a regional conference four years ago but you always ignore her because if she was any good she wouldn’t be coming through the very expensive ATS you purchased, then please show me.

Otherwise, I’ll have to tell you like I did my friend: “They’re just not that into you“.

Also, as a postscript: Continuing to stalk passive candidates as a business mandate during a recession is the dating equivalent of Molly Ringwald bagging that guy in her odd homemade pink dress in the 80s. It might make sense when the pros suggest it, but it will never happen in real life.

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