As businesses try to turn the page on the pandemic, a surprising trend has emerged: candidates and companies are engaging in “ghosting,” a practice that originated in the dating world. Here’s what you need to know about this phenomenon.
What Is Candidate Ghosting?
In case you’re not familiar with the concept, “ghosting” occurs in dating when someone simply cuts off contact with the other person, becoming essentially a ghost.
Now ghosting was arrived into the workplace, with job applicants—and companies—choosing to go silent in the middle of the recruiting process.
According to a survey conducted by Indeed, 77% of employers said they were ghosted by a prospective employee between March 2020 and February 2021.
On the other hand, employers are also engaging in their share of ghosting. In the same survey, only 27% of employers said they haven’t ghosted an employee in the past month.
The origins of the ghosting trend may be traced back to
Tips to Deal With Candidate Ghosting
Discuss important details (such as hours or salary) as soon as you can. By doing this you will make the ghosting happen earlier in the process, weeding out unreliable candidates without wasting more resources than necessary.
Another way to limit ghosting is by ensuring that your recruiting process is as transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of candidates as possible. According to Indeed, research suggests that prospective employees ghost recruiters when they feel that their needs are not being met and don’t know what to do.
Finally, remember that you should avoid ghosting candidates. It creates an unpleasant recruiting experience that harms your employer brand.
More Business Tips and Ideas
From returning to the office after the pandemic to the right structure for your business, these are some previous posts you can check out for more ideas on how to lead with confidence:
- 4 Ways to Get Employee Input
- 3 Tips for returning to the office after the pandemic
- The one digital marketing hack every small business owner should know
- Choosing the right business structure: a quick guide
At the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to keep you up to date with the most relevant developments in business management and administration so you and your company can take advantage of new opportunities. Contact us by email (info@pomonachamber.org) telephone (909-622-1256), social media, or click on this link to join and start enjoying the benefits of membership today.
