to tell this woman the truth?

[RoonilWaslibb]

I manage a recruitment agency and have recently placed a Personal Assistant for a member of the (not UK) Royal Family.

I had one candidate who, on paper, looked really promising, with really strong, relevant experience and who's interview was good (though not outstanding).
We are in contact with all of our shortlisted candidates via WhatsApp so they can ask us any questions they have and its just generally a fast, convenient method of communication.

This candidate, however, took to messaging both myself and my business partner (who's details she must have found online, and has been told does not deal directly with candidates) incessantly; mainly via WhatsApp but also calling and emailing.

In the space of an hour, she had called 5 times, left 3 voicemails, emailed three times and messaged 25 times on WA. This was just asking about the status of the job application. I was in meetings at the time so couldn't respond, so she took to harassing my business partner, claiming that I was not replying fast enough.
This happened various times over small questions she had, on one particular afternoon she messaged me every 15 minutes for 4 hours, adding information to her application.

This role is for a very very important person who is incredibly busy, and I feel that this candidates behaviour during the application process has shown a distinct lack of social and professional awareness; these kind of jobs require a high level of discretion and professionalism.

We didn't end up putting her forward to the client, and today I messaged her thanking for her time and informing her that her application hasn't gone further.

She's now messaged both me and my partner (and called multiple times) asking why? (Why? Why? Why...Why? But...Why?) and pointing out that she's the ideal candidate.

WIBU to tell her that its because she displayed really poor communication boundaries, or should i just make something up?

We had more than 700 applicants for the role, so my plate is overflowing anyway - so i recognise that I may be a bit stressed and impatient.

I think that life will teach her what she needs to know. I also think that she sounds quite vulnerable, so, I wouldn't tell her explicitly. But, I might hint at it.

Eg. You could mention that the role required a particularly polished skill-set and that with over 700 candidates, it just wasn't a match this time. Then wish her well.

You manage a recruitment agency and have never had to deliver feedback to an annoying candidate who's been a complete pest?

If this is genuine, then you've posted a really identifiable scenario which is easily recognisable for the person concerned. Which is hardly a shining example of professionalism.

Definitely tell her the truth. She must be very lacking in self-awareness and social skills. At least if you tell her she has chance to work on it, and it may help her in the future. If she continues to harass you then block her.

Mmm..,,I thought the same as @ControversialFerret.....are you new to this game, because surely an experienced hirer would kind of know the best way of handling an awkwardo candidate like this. Unless of course the threads a reverse and OP is the awkwardo person who ain't heard back after pestering non stop??!

I would just go with a bland 'there were other candidates with more experience' line.

She clearly lacks self awareness and, for her to act in the way you describe, my view is she would not react well to any feedback given her lack of understanding of appropriate behaviour.

I think you should tell her the truth as it might be a wake up call for her. She was obviously very over eager to get the role and it will help her to hear that she should reign it in a bit next time. Constructive honest feedback might be life changing for her.

If its a reverse then she knows she has pestered the employer. So what the point of this thread!