In the tech industry, and in every industry as well as in life in general, you should always be aware of people who are looking to take advantage of you. These people are only out for themselves to gain and have no care in the world for you at all, and if you can, be polite and do not egg them on. They will take you for everything you are willing to offer them, and then some, with zero regard for you at all. While I am a strong believer in “paying it forward” and have lots of hesitations around a term our current President Dipshit made popular, “quid pro quo,” I am not a believer in people who associate with you only when they have something to gain, then immediately forget you exist after. I find it rude, distasteful, and just reeking of selfishness.

Unfortunately, this is quite common in our industry, not just when people are seeking new opportunities, but also within organizations for Internal “favors” done, whether that is beneficial 360 reviews leading up to promotion/raise considerations, adding “thumbs up,” compliments, or AOPs (“air of praises”) to certain individuals on public channels. You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. You talk me up to your boss, and I’ll talk you up to yours. This is how the working world works.

Some of these instances are more blatant than others. Let’s look at one recent incident that a friend experienced: she’s currently working at a large, reputable public tech company (let’s call it TechCo) with over 20,000 employees. A former company she used to work at recently had layoffs, resulting in a mutual ex-colleague getting let go – let’s call him Harry. Harry reached out to her on LinkedIn, noting that she worked at TechCo, summarized the layoff story, and asked if she knew if there were any relevant openings that might fit him. She replied back, suggesting he look over their career site and note any job listings that stand out to him, and she’d be happy to refer him.

Harry didn’t respond right away, but while she was procrastinating one day, she took a look herself and noticed a listing that would be an exact match for him. She responded to Harry again, sending him a specific listing and suggesting he look it over. His response? “Wow, thanks! I”ll take a look when I have time, but right now I don’t have time. I’m prepping for an interview.”

Okay. But it gets better. Eventually, Harry replies back to her and says, “Great. I’m going to see how I’m connected to anyone else at TechCo and reach out through those channels.”

So, let’s summarize what just happened here. First, my friend was too kind and actually looked up specific jobs for Harry on TechCo’s career page, and I’ll remind you, in case you aren’t aware, that at large companies, navigating their career listings pages can be a total BEAST and a time suck. Second, Harry’s initial response ignored the fact that my friend was offering to do a favor for him that she did not need to do at all after he initially did outreach to her. Third, Harry, in the end, decided that my friend was not “good enough” to be a company source or referral for him despite the fact that he started this conversation by seeking her help, so he would review his other connections to the company via LinkedIn and try to get a referral through one of THOSE potential channels.

These are the types of people you need to be aware of. And when you properly identify them, avoid them. Run. Far. Hide if you can… Because they are only pests in a world that is running rampant with cockroaches.