Why are Candidates Ghosting?

Ghosting. Typically this was a situation where hiring managers “disappeared” on candidates during the interview process. Inquiries into status go unanswered, leaving them no closure or explanation as to why they weren’t selected.

Given the current #warfortalent, it seems the shoe is on the other foot.

Why do job seekers who seem so eager for a job interview or position now end up ghosting the interviewer? A number of my clients have shared these experiences recently. While each situation has it’s own particular circumstances, these are the most common reasons for ghosting:

🔹 An overall bad experience in the interview process

🔹 They got specific information in the process that made them think twice about the job

🔹 There was a detail of the role or your policy or culture that was a deal-breaker for the candidate

🔹 They simply decided to take another offer

In any case, no matter which side of the desk one is on, ghosting shows a lack of respect. But as a hiring manager, you could really use the feedback to improve on the next round.

On your own, you may find yourself wondering, was it something I said??

When you work with a recruiter, of course, you are far less likely to get ghosted. The recruiter should be following up with both the hiring manager and the candidate, providing status reports up through the end of recruiting process.