Ghosting has become a widespread issue in the modern job market, impacting both recruiters and hiring managers throughout the hiring process. Once primarily associated with online dating, the term has now found a new home in the workplace. From ghost candidates who disappear before an initial interview to workers ghosting employers on the first day of work, HR professionals are increasingly facing this frustrating trend.
Understanding Job Ghosting in Today’s Workforce
The pandemic reshaped employment norms, creating a robust job market where job seekers and employers engage in a competitive hiring process. According to Indeed, 2023 has seen a significant increase in job applicants ghosting employers, often without warning. Some applicants may accept a job offer only to vanish before their start date, while others participate in rounds of interviews and then disappear without a word.
Why is ghosting in the workplace becoming more common? Many companies fail to let candidates know where they stand in the hiring process, leading frustrated job seekers to simply move on. On the other hand, some applicants and employers practice ghosting due to internal miscommunication, unrealistic job postings, or a bad interview experience. In a hot job market, job seekers said an employer who fails to communicate effectively is often a reason for disengagement.
Why Candidates Ghost Employers
Several factors contribute to ghosting an employer, including:
- Competing Job Offers: Many job candidates may get another job offer with better pay or benefits and choose not to inform the potential employer.
- Lack of Communication: Applicants may ghost employers if they feel left in the dark about their application status.
- Negative Hiring Experience: A bad interview or unclear job descriptions can make job seekers ghost an employer.
- Pandemic-Induced Work Preferences: The rise of remote work has changed job seekers’ expectations, making them less willing to endure lengthy hiring processes.
- Employer Ghosting First: Candidates ghost employers when they experience employer ghosting, such as a rescinded job offer or being ignored after an interview process.
The Impact of New Employee Ghosting
New-hire ghosting is a major concern for HR professionals. Employers invest time and resources in the recruitment process only to have a new employee disappear without a word. A study by Glassdoor found that half of employers say ghosting negatively affects their ability to fill job openings. Additionally, ghosting during the hiring process disrupts workforce planning, increases costs, and damages company culture.
How to Prevent Ghosting in the Hiring Process
To prevent ghosting, HR professionals must implement proactive strategies:
- Improve Communication – Set up an automated process to keep applicants informed throughout the hiring process.
- Provide a Clear Timeline – Let candidates know when they can expect feedback or a job offer.
- Streamline Recruitment – Reduce rounds of interviews and ensure a smoother hiring process.
- Build Relationships – Candidate relationship management can improve engagement and encourage them to apply.
- Offer Competitive Benefits – In a job market where job seekers ghost employers for better opportunities, offering strong benefits can make a difference.
- Create an Engaging Onboarding Experience – A well-structured onboarding process can reduce new employee ghosting in the first 90 days.
The Future of Ghosting in the Workplace
Ghosting is becoming a common challenge in recruitment, but HR professionals can take steps to minimize its impact. Whether it’s job seekers ghosting employers, applicants disappearing during the hiring process, or workers leaving without 2 weeks’ notice, human resources teams must adapt. By fostering better forms of communication, leveraging an applicant tracking system, and improving employee engagement, companies can reduce ghosting and create a more reliable workforce.
The labor market will continue to evolve, but experienced HR professionals can stay ahead by addressing ghosting with strategic hiring solutions. As job seekers said they plan to ghost more often in future job searches, taking action now is crucial. Don’t let your company fall victim to another job offer situation—proactive hiring can help secure top candidates and build a stable workforce.
Learn More About Onboarding KPIs
A strong onboarding process is one of the most effective ways to reduce ghosting and improve retention. Learn more about onboarding KPIs and how they drive measurable success by downloading our Guide to Onboarding KPIs: 6 Value Drivers of Streamlined Onboarding.
written by: Elisha Bahr
