GHOSTING – A new trend in recruitment
3 October, 2022
GHOSTING – A new trend in recruitment
Ghosting is the term that refers to the sudden abandonment or cutting off a relationship without notice or warning. Did you know ghosting also exists in recruitment? It occurs when a recruiter loses a candidate at any stage of the hiring process. This may be devastating for the recruitment team and hiring managers. Due to this, a company’s hiring budget may suffer if a candidate disappears without notice, causing them to need to start the process from the beginning.
Why do candidates ghost?
- Lack of communication
As the cliché says, “Communication is Key.” It is also true in recruitment. Somewhere along the recruitment process, there may be a disconnect with the candidate. Perhaps they were not provided with enough information that showed them that you are the employer of choice. According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, around 51% of the participants were frustrated with lack of information, 38% say that employers leave them hanging about where they stand as a candidate, and 30% say they are not receiving any acknowledgement that their application has been received.
- The hiring process is taking too long
The longer the hiring process, the less your candidate remains engaged. This is according to a survey that says 43% of the respondents said they ghosted in the past is because the hiring process was taking too long.
- The candidate secured another offer
The candidate may have received an offer from another company they have applied for. There are many reasons that may lead to this urgency.
How to prevent candidates ghosting?
- Maintain an open line of communication.
Communication plays a key role in preventing candidate ghosting. According to CareerBuilder, 35% of hiring managers are increasing contact with the candidate to lessen ghosting. One must maintain open communication with a candidate from the very start all the way through the recruitment process. At Expect A Star, our recruiters are trained to provide constant communication with the client and candidates, making us the top choice for Early Childhood recruitment.
- Speeding things up!
One of the best ways to avoid candidates ghosting is by speeding up the hiring process. Establish prescreening questions to filter out candidates who may not be the best fit for the role and start the onboarding process early by collecting necessary documents before their first day on the job.
- Establish the employer brand.
Provide details about the employer and work culture of the business. Start with the perks and benefits they will be receiving before the role and responsibilities. This gives the impression that the employee’s wellbeing is prioritized.
They say that good things come to those who wait, however, most candidates do not want to wait and prefer to be hired immediately. For employers, a candidate who ghosts may cause a financial loss so this should be avoided at all costs.
To prevent ghosting, a good balance of communication from both sides during the hiring process is vital. Ensuring a proper communication is efficient and saves time and money for both parties.
Are you interested in working with an Early Childhood Recruiter? Come and talk to us now!
Written by Julienne Balcos | Permanent Recruitment Consultant