Recruiter, podcaster, and process evangelist Darren Saul returns to More Than a Few Words to share a painfully relatable story about the one that got away.

After weeks of work, multiple interviews, and a seemingly perfect match, Darren’s top candidate vanished right after receiving the offer, without so much as a “thanks, but no thanks.” Ouch.

This isn’t just a story about recruitment. It’s a wake-up call for marketers, sales pros, and anyone who works with humans (aka all of us). Whether you’re filling a role, closing a deal, or pitching a new client, the lessons are the same: assumptions kill deals, and skipping steps in your process will always come back to haunt you.

Key Points

• Even perfect processes can fail if you don’t fully qualify the people you’re dealing with.
• Ghosting isn’t just rude—it’s bad business. Burning bridges happens silently and swiftly.
• Recruitment and sales are two sides of the same coin: both require curiosity, follow-through, and respect.
• Process isn’t optional. Skipping steps may feel faster, but it will cost you in the long run.

Actionable Takeaways

• Qualify early and thoroughly. Ask the hard questions up front: Are they really ready to make a move? Who else is involved in the decision?
• Treat recruitment like sales. Whether it’s a client, candidate, or customer—if you’re not uncovering hidden decision-makers or motivations, you’re setting yourself up for a surprise.
• Build a repeatable process. Ad hoc might get you a few wins, but systems scale success.
• Stay professional—even when others don’t. When someone disappears, take the high road. It pays off in long-term reputation.
• Track the quiet ones. That candidate who ghosted? He’s still in the same job. You dodged a bullet.