Ghosting Isn’t Just for Modern Relationships Anymore! Welcome to Recruitment Ghosting 👻

A silent yet impactful crisis is growing in the recruitment world: ghosting. That moment when a candidate or employer suddenly cuts off communication—no explanation, no follow-up, just silence.

Once considered an exception, ghosting has now become almost the norm. Especially in the IT sector, this sudden disappearance by either side erodes trust and professionalism.

But why is ghosting on the rise? And more importantly: how can we overcome it?

1. What Is Ghosting and Where Does It Come From?

The term "ghosting" first became popular in the world of romantic relationships.

📱 You’re chatting with someone and then suddenly, they vanish with no warning or explanation.

Now, the term is just as relevant in the recruitment space.

2. What Does Ghosting Look Like in Recruitment?

• A candidate hears nothing after a promising interview

• A job offer is made, and the candidate disappears

• The employer stops responding in the middle of the process

Ghosting is now a byproduct of the digital age a world where people are constantly reachable, but increasingly non-committal.

3. The Psychology of Ghosting: Why Is It So Easy?

The one who ghosts often does so to avoid a difficult conversation. But this avoidance leads to frustration, uncertainty, and even feelings of worthlessness for the other party.

In professional contexts like recruitment, ghosting can cause:

• A loss of trust

• Process inefficiencies

• Damage to employer branding

4. Why Do Candidates Ghost?

🎯 Lack of communication: When candidates don’t hear back, they lose confidence in the process.

🎯 Lack of transparency: Unclear timelines and disorganized workflows weaken engagement.

🎯 Too many options: Top talent—especially in tech—receives multiple offers and may go silent without closure.

5. Why Do Employers Ghost?

💼 Overwhelming applicant volume: It becomes hard to respond to every candidate, and communication slips through the cracks.

💼 Internal changes: Cancelled roles, shifting budgets, and team restructuring often pause or halt processes.

💼 Lack of communication culture: Responsibility gets blurred, and feedback simply doesn’t happen.

6. The Impact of Ghosting on Employer Brand

🔻 Candidates share their negative experiences with peers or online

🔻 “Unresponsive employer” becomes a reputation risk

🔻 For younger professionals, these experiences shape how they perceive a company’s values

📌 Conclusion: Transparency Over Silence

Ghosting is a communication problem plain and simple. And solving it doesn’t require better automation. It requires human, timely, and authentic communication.

💬 We Want to Hear from You:

👀 Have you ever experienced ghosting during a hiring process? Or were you left hanging after a promising opportunity?

👇 Share your story in the comments—we're bringing this silent crisis into the light.