[the_only_law]

> a candidate told me they forgot what the job they applied for was and who we are

How long from the application to the interview? I’ve damn well forget what some random company or job I applied to was when they reach out months after the application. Look at these threads. Experienced people are having to put in hundreds of applications just get a single callback. I can’t remember the specifics of every company/job with that sort of volume when you wait that long

[morbia]

I don't know the lead time from when they apply, but the time it takes to go from CVs hitting my inbox to first interview is about a week.

I'm not sure that is really a valid excuse though. I understand if you're making a lot of applications it's hard to keep track, but all it takes is a 10 minutes refresher just before the interview. I do exactly the same with candidate's CVs prior to the interview too and I've never mixed up candidates up to date. 24 hours afterwards I'll have forgotten everything without my notes.

Also a top tip, even if you're in a mad panic in the interview and your mind has gone blank, wording is key. "Can you give some more details about the role and the company?" comes across a hell of a lot better than "Sorry I've forgotten what I applied for".

The analogies here to dating are striking to me. Sure you might have gone on 3 dates in that week, but if expect one to work out you better not get their name wrong.