A silent disease is creeping into the employment market, a disease that recruiters and employers are facing more and more nowadays. The disease is called the “tidak apa attitude”. The greatest problem with this disease is that the victim does not even know when he is inflicted with one. It is so subtle and self-deceiving that when one confronts the victim informing him of the disease, he will immediately go under cover - the blanket of denial and if that is when you get lucky to give your piece of mind to the victim. Most times unfortunately, the victims were never told of the disease because they had decided not to be told about it, and forever carrying this disease with him without realizing it.

In my years of recruitment experience, I had come across countless times whereby candidates were supposed to attend an interview decided to change their mind at the very last minute. But what frustrated the recruiters and employers most is the fact that candidates do not even have the courtesy to call and inform their decision to cancel the appointment. The “tidak apa” or “do not care less” attitude is getting more rampant than ever that I labeled it as a silent disease because it’s gradually seeping into the employment market without us realizing the seriousness of it destroying the basic values of a community that care and respect one another. I lament over the loss of the basic virtues that we used to treasure immensely, i.e., courtesy, politeness, respect the authority and the elders, conscientiousness, responsible and accountable.

But lamentation will not lead us anywhere. Seriously, job seekers that do not change this kind of attitude will not get anywhere.

However, as recruiters or employers, there are a few things that can be done to avoid the “no show” problem.

1. Conduct a brief interview over the phone first.

If they seem to be quite suitable, inform them honestly that they do meet the basic criteria by touching briefly on the job requirements. And the next step is to inform them the opportunity to have a face-to-face interview to take on the discussion further. Once the interest of the job has been established, the candidates are more likely to show up.

2. Be flexible in the timing.

Most job seekers are employed and if you can consider meeting up with them early in the morning or after work, that would encourage them to show up as such approach shows to them that you are considerate and that definitely adds to the attractiveness of you as a potential good employer. If they still did not show up, they are idiots at best, so nothing is lost!

3. Make it clear to them that it is NOT OKAY not to show up

For Recruiters or Recruitment Consultants arranging interviews on behalf of their Clients, reiterate to the candidates that had been selected for interviews the need to inform them should there be any reasons that disallow the candidates from attending the interview. You can remind them via sms on the day of the interview. If there is no reply from the sms, the chances of not showing up is high and you can immediately follow-up with a call or alert your client accordingly.