While dating, we have all heard the line “It’s not you, it’s me.”  When in reality this means, “You don’t crank my tractor anymore so I found someone else.”  This is not always satisfactory, but a common break-up line used in a fit of desperation when you need to get out NOW.  It is even better used while holding your partner’s hand, gazing in their eyes and squeezing out a tear.  Now you can text message the same thought.  It had me thinking when we want to avoid a situation it has become somewhat easier.

You do not have to meet in person, when you can talk on the phone.  You don’t have to talk on the phone when you can email.  You don’t have to email when you can send a simple text.  Back in the day, when your relationship had come to an abrupt end, you would have to avoid every phone call.  Today screening has been made so much easier with various forms of Caller ID.

Most do not possess the gift of reading minds, but more of a “Been there done that mentality”.  So if for some reason, we are waiting on an offer that you promised would be delivered yesterday (and it is tomorrow) avoiding the phone calls would be a mute effort.  Where there is a will, there is a way in every way form of communication. 

We are in the communications industry, but most do not know how to communicate.  When working with your recruiter, be honest.  If you have the verbal, but no paper offer, then make it known.  If it is your CFO who can not decide on the hire and not the Creative Director who has already interviewed the candidate twice, let it be heard.  If you can not reach you Creative Director because he is out of the office (due to the fact he is recently divorced and dating the Account Executive on the agency’s largest account – we know, because creatives talk and tell us.), let it be known. 

Bad news travels faster than good news.  You have more control over the situation when you pick up the phone and give us an idea of what is going on with the candidates and the pending offers.  Even an “I don’t know what is going on” is still some form of an answer.  This enables us to feel informed about the situation and communicates you do respect our partnership.  After repeated attempts for simple conversation in any form, if you hear “Let’s be friends”, you can translate it to “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.”