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A Sydney-based recruitment expert has expressed surprise at a job seeker’s query regarding a perceived “red flag” encountered during their job search.
Recruiter’s Reaction to “Red Flag” Question
Tammie Christofis Ballis, a specialist recruiter and career coach at Realistic Careers, frequently shares guidance on social media for individuals navigating the job search and interview processes.
During a recent live Q&A session on TikTok, one particular question piqued her interest.
Is a 7 PM Recruiter Call a Red Flag?
“Would you consider a recruiter call at 7pm a red flag?” a user on social media inquired.
“Absolutely not. Why would you perceive that as a negative sign?” Ballis responded.
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She clarified that a recruiter’s effort to contact a candidate at 7 p.m. signifies they believe the individual is highly suitable for the position and are eager to proceed swiftly.
Speaking to news.com.au, Ballis noted that recruiters often operate outside standard business hours to secure ideal candidates.
Contacting individuals after typical work hours also ensures they are not disturbed during their current employment, if applicable.
Recruiter Finds “Red Flag” Perception Baffling
“So it’s definitely not a red flag; if anything, it should be seen as a positive indication,” she stated.
The reactions to the video further perplexed the Sydney-based recruiter.
Even after she explained the positive connotation of an evening call, many individuals remained convinced it was a negative sign.
Job Seekers’ Concerns About After-Hours Calls
“Major red flag. Do not intrude on people’s personal time outside of work hours. Call during standard business hours like everyone else. The nerve of some people,” one commenter expressed.
“No, I would be annoyed. After hours is time for family. Does this suggest an unhealthy expectation to work overtime without compensation?” another user commented.
Numerous responses indicated a belief that evening calls demonstrate a lack of respect for personal time and poor time management on the part of the recruiter.
Some individuals also incorrectly asserted that a recruiter calling after 5pm violates recently enacted “Right to Disconnect” legislation.
However, these laws solely pertain to employees’ legal right to disregard contact outside of working hours from their employer or third parties concerning their current employment.
While individuals have the right to decline a recruiter’s call, it is unrelated to the Right to Disconnect legislation.
“Entitlement and Laziness”
Ballis characterized this line of reasoning as fostering “entitlement and a lack of drive.”
Positive Reactions to After-Hours Contact
Conversely, some respondents agreed with Ballis, expressing willingness to receive calls later in the day if it advanced their job prospects.
One person stated they would “gladly” accept a 7 p.m. call if it was a job offer.
Another concurred, stating it was “not a red flag at all,” recounting a recent evening call from a recruiter who was enthusiastic about their application’s progress.
“He apologized for calling after hours but explained that most candidates are unavailable during business hours due to their current jobs, so he reserves calls for after hours,” they elaborated.
Another commenter agreed, questioning why anyone would want to discuss a new job opportunity while at their current workplace.
“Entitlement if you can’t take a call at 7,” someone else added. “I received a call at 9.30 p.m. after a text message regarding a final interview for a position! Absolutely, I am now the preferred candidate and slept soundly without worry! Stop being overly sensitive.”
Tight Job Market Considerations
The current job market is competitive, with Ballis noting numerous applicants, often hundreds or even thousands, for a single vacancy.
She believes that complaining about a minor inconvenience like answering an after-hours phone call will ultimately be detrimental to job seekers.
“With widespread complaints about the high volume of applicants per job, if you display a negative attitude towards a 7pm call … your career progression will likely be hindered. It’s really that straightforward,” she asserted, adding that such behavior could signal to a recruiter that the individual might be challenging to collaborate with.
Recruiter’s “Red Flag”
In fact, the Sydney recruiter indicated that if a candidate requested a callback during work hours after an initial evening contact, it would raise a red flag for her.
“It suggests a lack of genuine interest in the opportunity, and I will not invest time in someone directing me on how to perform my role,” she explained, emphasizing she would instead focus on candidates who appreciate her follow-up efforts.
However, she acknowledged that flexibility is mutual and that it is “perfectly acceptable” to contact a recruiter outside of typical office hours.
Ballis has received calls on weekend afternoons and considers it part of the profession.
“While recruiters are sometimes criticized, agency recruiters, in particular, often work beyond conventional hours. It is not uncommon for them to work 12 to 16-hour days, which is reflected in their commission-based compensation.”