Ghosting during the job search feels personal, but it’s usually not. In this episode of the Control Your Career podcast, I sat down with Orlando Haynes, a 22-year veteran recruiter and talent acquisition leader, to talk about what’s actually happening behind the scenes.

According to Orlando, it’s not about you, it’s about volume. Recruiters are often managing hundreds of applicants across dozens of roles. Once a role is filled, most don’t have the capacity (or technology) to send personalized follow-ups, and yes, auto-responses aren’t always reliable.

But there’s a strategy behind how recruiters search resumes—and most candidates don’t know how to take advantage of it.

Orlando debunks the myth that your resume gets “lost” in an ATS. You’re not being kicked out of the system—you’re just not showing up in the search results. Keyword optimization matters, but so does honesty. Recruiters will ask about every bullet point, and if you can’t explain it, you’re done.

Orlando and I talk about the rise of bad advice floating around on social media, especially the idea that you should lie or “trick the system.” Spoiler: Don’t. You’ll get caught, and it's not a good look when you’re sweating through an Excel test you claimed to be an expert in.

It’s not just about checking boxes. Orlando shares how great candidates close the gap between their experience and the company’s pain points, often before they’re even asked. From 90-day plans to strategic follow-up questions, this episode is packed with insight to help you interview like a leader.

Connect with Orlando on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlandohaynes/

Get his career journal: https://careertalkspodcast.com/#planner

Listen to his podcast here: https://careertalkspodcast.com/#home