Coping with professional 'ghosting'

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Jason Chase, aka Anonymous. They say:

“My question is about professional 'ghosting'... spooky!

I was recently in touch with an old acquaintance who now works with a big organisation that I have been interested in working with for a while. This person encouraged me to pitch for quite a big contract, chatted through the project with me on the phone and even read through my ideas and made encouraging suggestions before I submitted.

But — I didn't get the gig.

I was really gutted but assumed I was up against some tough competition. The acquaintance apologised, and told me that there would be further opportunities coming up really soon and also offered — unprompted — to give me some feedback on a call. Great, I thought!

But when I replied to schedule a time to chat I didn't get a reply. A week or so later I sent a follow up message and again... silence!!

I think this professional ghosting is becoming more and more common and I hate it! How hard is it to send a quick message to someone, especially if you have volunteered to share the information in the first place?

I would love to move on from this, but feel a bit embarrassed, and also annoyed, and a bit like a ditched date! I'd love a chance to work with this organisation, and to have the feedback that was offered up. Would love to hear what you think! Any advice?”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

•••

This episode is supported by Penfold.

The flexible pension for freelance parents. Penfold provides freelancers with an online pension that’s simple to use and completely flexible.

Sign up with the code DIFTK and get a £25 bonus into your pension pot. Penfold are also offering up to a £1,000 top up on pension transfers until the 31st of March 2021, so you can earn more from your old pension pots!

Penfold is regulated by the FCA. When you put money in a pension, it’s an investment, and like all investments, your capital is at risk. Check for benefits before transferring.

Go to www.getpenfold.com/diftk

•••

Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi