Ghosting, a common occurrence in the recruitment world, happens when candidates or companies suddenly go silent during the hiring process. This can become frustrating for everyone involved.
Let’s explore why it’s so prevalent and how to ensure that communication remains open, transparent, and respectful.
Why Does Ghosting Happen?
1. Candidates Overwhelmed by Options
Candidates often apply to multiple roles simultaneously with the job market becoming increasingly competitive, especially in niche industries. When one offer comes through, they may accept it and simply not inform the other companies. Similarly, they might receive feedback they don’t like or feel they’re no longer interested in a role but don’t communicate this to the recruiter or employer.
2. Lack of Candidate Experience
For companies, ghosting often happens when they fail to keep candidates informed throughout the recruitment process. A long silence from the employer’s end may make candidates feel unvalued or uncertain, prompting them to look elsewhere. Ghosting may signal unethical hiring practices or a toxic company culture.
3. Overloaded Recruiters
Recruiters, especially in busy industries, are often handling multiple roles and candidates at once. Without proper systems in place, they might accidentally lose track of applicants, leading to inadvertent ghosting on their part. For clients, this can result in missed opportunities to hire top talent.
4. Fear of Difficult Conversations
Ghosting can happen when conversations feel awkward. Candidates may be uncomfortable rejecting offers, and employers might struggle to reject candidates, causing a breakdown in communication.
The Impact of Ghosting on Both Sides
For candidates, being ghosted by a company can damage their perception of the employer. It leaves them feeling undervalued and leads to negative reviews on platforms like Glassdoor, which can hurt the company’s employer brand. For clients, a lack of communication from candidates can disrupt recruitment timelines, waste valuable time, and cause frustration.
How to Avoid Ghosting as a Candidate
1. Communicate Clearly and Promptly
It’s always respectful to let recruiters or hiring managers know if you’ve accepted another offer. This simple gesture helps maintain professional relationships and remember—industries can be surprisingly small.
Read more The incredible power of the humble thank you
2. Be Honest About Your Interest
If the role or company doesn’t feel like the right fit after further discussions, be upfront with recruiters and employers. They appreciate transparency—it saves time for both sides.
3. Follow Up Regularly
If you haven’t heard back after an interview, it’s okay to follow up. A polite email shows your interest and keeps the lines of communication open.
How to Avoid Ghosting as an Employer or Recruiter
1. Set Clear Expectations
Set clear expectations about the hiring timeline and communication process from the first interview. Inform candidates when they can expect to hear from you, even if the news is negative. This shows professionalism and reduces the likelihood of them ghosting you.
2. Communicate Consistently
Regular check-ins with candidates, even if there’s no news, help keep them engaged and prevent them from seeking opportunities elsewhere. Automated email updates or a quick phone call can make all the difference in maintaining candidate interest.
3. Provide Closure
If a candidate isn’t the right fit for the role, let them know. Silence can lead to assumptions that the process is ongoing, and candidates may feel confused, frustrated or even ghosted. A clear rejection email shows respect for the candidate’s time and effort.
Conclusion: Building Relationships Through Communication
Ghosting may be an unfortunate reality in recruitment today, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re a candidate or a recruiter, clear and consistent communication is key to avoiding misunderstandings and maintaining positive relationships. At ABL Recruitment, we believe in fostering transparent, respectful interactions between candidates and clients. By prioritising communication and professionalism, we can all work towards a smoother, more positive recruitment experience for everyone involved.
