Work 'love bombing': When companies come on too strong

They check in several times a day: texts, emails, phone calls. They lavish flattery and compliments, make it clear you're the one. You only met each other a few days ago, but the hours since have been a whirlwind of attention and promises.

There's a term for this kind of behaviour: 'love bombing'. Generally, it's associated with dating, when a person heaps on praise and extends grand gestures, often to manipulate a potential partner to feel quickly indebted to them.

Love-bombing-esque behaviour can happen outside of romantic relationships, too. Some people may recognise an analogous pattern of behaviour in the working world: companies that come on startlingly strong, hotly pursuing job candidates for open roles. Applicants may find themselves in a sped-up hiring process, where compliments take the place of formal job descriptions, and jobseekers are primed with the promise of an ideal situation.

I would know. Last year, a recruiter contacted me about a position for which she said I'd be a great fit. She'd showered me with praise and told me about all the opportunities I'd have at the company – she even said I was "perfect". When I had reservations about the role and questions about the corporate culture, she was dismissive, only returning to how much the managers wanted me in the fold as soon as possible. I even received a job offer before I expressed interest in working at the organisation at all.