Ghosting in recruitment (Part I) : Why do recruiters ghost candidates?

The world of recruitment has never been more dynamic for candidates, recruiters, leaders, and hiring managers. Amid a rather hectic workplace filled with uncertainty, candidates and recruiters often find themselves facing a puzzling phenomenon – being "ghosted". Ghosting in recruitment usually occurs when communication stops abruptly without any clear explanation. Let’s find out why!

Overwhelming workload

Recruiters are often bombarded with numerous resumes, applications, and emails daily. The sheer volume of tasks they need to manage can sometimes lead to unintentional oversights, with some candidates slipping through the cracks. It's essential to understand that recruiters, like everyone else, can become overwhelmed, resulting in a lack of timely responses.

Changing priorities

The nature of recruitment demands adaptability. Shifts in company priorities, sudden changes in job requirements, or alterations in the organizational structure can lead recruiters to reprioritize their tasks. Unfortunately, this can sometimes mean that certain candidate communications are unintentionally put on hold or overlooked.

Internal delays

Recruitment often involves collaboration between multiple departments and people within a company. Delays in decision-making, internal miscommunications, or unforeseen circumstances can cause recruiters to temporarily stop their interactions with candidates. While frustrating for job seekers, these internal challenges are not always within the recruiter's control.

Company policies

Some organizations may have policies in place that restrict recruiters from providing detailed feedback or updates to candidates, especially during certain stages of the hiring process. While this can be perceived as ghosting, it's important to recognize that recruiters may be bound by company rules that limit the information they can share.

Fear of confrontation

Recruiters - because they’re humans like anyone else - may find it challenging to deliver disappointing news or rejection. The fear of confrontation or discomfort in delivering negative news may lead some recruiters to opt for the silent treatment. While not excusable, understanding the human aspect of the recruitment process can provide insight into why ghosting occurs.

While being ghosted by a recruiter can be disheartening, it's crucial to recognize that there are often multifaceted reasons behind this phenomenon. From overwhelming workloads to internal organizational challenges, recruiters may face obstacles that impact their ability to maintain consistent communication. By understanding these factors, candidates can navigate the job search process with greater empathy, recognizing that, in many cases, ghosting is not a deliberate action but a consequence of the complexities happening in recruitment. 

Have you ever been ghosted by a recruiter or hiring manager? 

Stay tuned for Part II of “Ghosting in Recruitment”, where we’ll speak about why candidates ghost recruiters.