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On Today’s Menu

On Today’s Menu, I’m talking about block lists.

Block lists…

I bet you didn't know that the company you just applied to might have a secret list with your name on it.

They're called block lists and they're way more common than most job seekers realize.

Last month, an investigation revealed that Meta (Facebook) maintains these lists to prevent certain people from ever getting hired.

But they're not alone.

Companies across all industries keep these internal blacklists of candidates they won't consider, no matter how qualified.

And you’d never know if you're on one.

No rejection email explains "Sorry, you're on our block list."

You'll just never hear back.

As someone who's been in the career services industry for years, I've heard from recruiters how these lists work – and how easy it is to end up on one without realizing it.

Let's get something straight: these aren't shared databases where HR people gossip about candidates.

Each company keeps its own internal list, usually in their applicant tracking system or HR database.

When you apply for a job, they run a quick check against this list - and if your name pops up, your application gets tossed.

No questions asked.

No second chances.

At Meta, former employees are tagged at their exit interview, and those marked "not eligible for rehire" are effectively blocked forever.

Why do companies do this?

It's all about protecting themselves from bad hires or rehires.

The logic goes: if someone caused problems before, why risk bringing them back?

If an external candidate showed major red flags during interviews, why waste time considering them again?

Block lists act as the company's institutional memory.

Even when managers and recruiters turn over, the list remains.

The really scary thing is how little transparency exists around these practices.

One consultant told me she discovered she was on a block list eight years after leaving a company - due to office politics with a manager who'd long since left.

A tech worker was told they were "banned for life" after being laid off, despite good performance.

For workers, it feels like "a special kind of cruelty" - a permanent penalty with no notification and no chance to appeal.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

5 Ways to Get Yourself Blacklisted

The good news? Most people never yend up on these lists.

But certain behaviors are almost guaranteed to land you there:

1. Lying on your application

This is the fastest route to a blacklist. Claiming degrees you don't have or making up experience you don't possess? Once discovered, companies won't forgive this.

2. No-shows and ghosting

Missing interviews without notice or accepting a job and not showing up on day one is a recruiter's nightmare. They'll remember you - and not in a good way.

3. Being rude or unprofessional

How you treat people matters. Being disrespectful to receptionists, sending angry emails, or making inappropriate comments can get you permanently flagged.

4. Reneging on accepted offers

If you accept a job offer and then back out (especially at the last minute), employers see this as a breach of trust. They invested in you and turned others away.

5. Quitting without notice

Even failing to give the standard two-week notice when leaving a job can get you marked as "do not rehire." Companies value reliability above almost everything else.

Remember: this isn't about making small mistakes in interviews or not being perfectly qualified.

It's about major violations of trust, professionalism, or company policy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

How to Stay Off the Blacklist

Avoiding a blacklist mostly comes down to basic professionalism and honesty.

Keep it real

Never lie about your skills, experience, or education. If you don't know something, just say so and show you're willing to learn. Honesty might cost you one job, but lying can cost you many.

Treat everyone with respect

Be courteous to everyone you meet during the hiring process - from the receptionist to the CEO. Remember that your behavior is being evaluated at every step.

Honor your commitments

If you accept an offer, follow through. If you must back out, do it as early as possible with a genuine explanation. Always give proper notice when leaving a job.

Communicate clearly

Running late to an interview? Send a message. Need to withdraw from consideration? Let them know. People understand that plans change, but ghosting does lasting damage.

But what if you're already blacklisted?

First, try to confirm it. Contact HR and politely ask if you're eligible for rehire. If they say no, ask for the reason.

For minor issues, a sincere apology can sometimes work.

Acknowledge what happened, take responsibility, and explain how you've grown.

Time helps too. After a couple of years, try again - especially if the manager who blacklisted you has moved on.

For serious issues like dishonesty, you might need to focus your energy elsewhere. The job market is vast, and being blacklisted by one company doesn't end your career.

Learn from the experience, ensure it doesn't repeat, and move forward.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Final Thoughts: Your Reputation Is Your Most Valuable Asset

Your professional reputation follows you everywhere.

In tight-knit industries, word travels fast.

The recruiter you ghost today might be at your dream company tomorrow.

The manager you were rude to might know the hiring manager at your next interview.

It's a smaller world than you think.

But this isn't meant to scare you.

Most people never get blacklisted because most people are decent and professional.

You don't need to be perfect - you just need to be honest, respectful, and reliable.

These are the same qualities that make you valuable to employers anyway.

So treat every interaction like it matters, because it does.

And remember: the way you handle setbacks says more about you than your successes ever will.

That's all for this week.

See you next Sunday.

P.S. Have you ever suspected you were blacklisted? Reply to this email and let me know your story.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Last week, I asked you about how you typically find jobs

Around 67% of respondents said they apply online. Less than 20% of respondents said they found jobs through networking or other means.

If you missed last week’s issue, I covered a way to find jobs beyond your typical online applications.