Ghosting costs more than a response
Definition of candidate ghosting
Candidate ghosting refers to the practice where a recruiter or company ceases all communication with a candidate without explanation or feedback, generally after one or more interviews. The candidate is left without news despite follow-ups.
The phenomenon also exists in the other direction: candidates who suddenly disappear from the process or fail to show up on their first day. Both forms are damaging to both parties.
The hidden costs of ghosting for the company
| Type of Cost | Concrete Impact | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Reputation | A ghosted candidate shares their experience with 11 people on average | Immediate |
| Loss of future talent | 68 % of ghosted candidates will never apply to this company again | Long term |
| Business impact | Candidates may be your customers, suppliers or recommenders | Medium term |
| Internal demotivation | Your colleagues who participated in interviews perceive the lack of professionalism | Short term |
| Crisis management | Responding to Glassdoor reviews takes more time than a courteous initial response | Short term |
Best practices to eliminate ghosting
Automatic acknowledgement of receipt
Upon receiving an application, send a personalised automatic message confirming receipt of the application.
Defined communication milestones
Block 30 min/week for feedback. Set deadlines: D+7 after application, D+3 after interview.
Stage-based communication
If the process is lengthy, update regularly: "We are continuing interviews, we will get back to you before [date]."
Customisable rejection templates
Prepare 3 to 4 templates depending on stage (application, first interview, finalist). Personalise in 2 minutes.
Constructive feedback to finalists
Offer a 5 to 10-minute telephone feedback. These candidates will appreciate it and speak positively about it.
FAQ – Candidate Ghosting
Do I really need to respond to all candidates, even unqualified ones?
What to do if the announced deadline is missed without a decision?
How to word a rejection without demoralising the candidate?
How long maximum can you leave a candidate without news?
How to manage candidate ghosting (no-show for interview)?
Eliminate ghosting with Aurelia's automatic alerts
Aurelia alerts you when a candidate has had no response beyond the set deadline. Visualise all candidates awaiting feedback and professionalise your candidate experience.