Most companies spend weeks or months filling a position. Finding the right candidate for the role feels like a reward for all of the hard work that went into the hiring process. Once the job offer is extended and accepted, it’s normal to breathe a sigh of relief.
However, a troubling trend has emerged: ghosting. While it doesn’t always happen, some candidates who accept a position simply don’t show up on their first workday. They don’t call, email, or give any clue about where they are or why they didn’t arrive as promised. They just disappear into the ether.
But the trend isn’t relegated to newly hired employees. At times, candidates vanish during the hiring process, too. They may not respond to an email, no-show to an interview, or otherwise, cease all communication with the hiring manager.
While it may seem like there’s little a company can do if they are being ghosted, that isn’t the case. By taking the right steps, you can increase the odds that candidates will stick with the process and, if selected, come in on their first day enthusiastic about starting in the role. If you want to know what you can do, here are some tips to eliminate candidate ghosting from your world.
Focus on Communication
Many candidates that ghost companies during the hiring process aren’t walking away without a reason. While the cause can indeed vary, at times, it can be in response to a lack of communication on the employers’ part.
Job seekers abhor not receiving updates about their application. The feeling that they’ve thrown their resume into a black hole is frustrating. Plus, it makes it seem like the company doesn’t value their time, effort, or interest, which some candidates assume is a reflection of the company’s overall culture.
The same issue can arise if a job seeker accepts an offer and then has trouble getting crucial details about starting in the position. If they reach out for information and are greeted by the sound of crickets, they may feel abandoned, overlooked, or underappreciated. In some cases, they may even question whether they really have a job with the company, or assume that they are being ghosted.
If you want to stop these candidates from walking away, communication is key. Automatic responses from an ATS that acknowledge a resume was received and let job seekers know when the process moves along can make a big difference. Additionally, touching base with a personal message when a candidate pulls back or its simply been a while can keep them engaged.
Essentially, by staying in touch, keeping candidates informed of the next steps, and ensuring everyone knows what to expect, you begin forging a connection. That connection reduces the odds that the job seeker will ghost you.
Boost the Candidate Experience
Even if communication is high, frustration with the process can cause a candidate to ghost a prospective employer. For example, an overly long application process may encourage some job seekers to walk away before they’ve even submitted their resume.
Similarly, round after round of interviews, extensive skills testing, and other cumbersome steps may become tiresome. This is especially true if what you’re requesting doesn’t make sense for the level of the position.
Ideally, you want to make your process streamlined and convenient. Eliminate redundant or unnecessary steps, ensuring your process doesn’t become more than they are willing to handle. Additionally, if there will be, for example, two interviews and a skills test, let candidates know early that is what will occur. Give them a full timeline, guaranteeing that there are no surprises.
For new hires, give them critical information early. Let them start the new employee paperwork and give them their first day’s schedule; let them know where to park and what to wear. These simple steps make them feel like they are on your radar and fully supported, and that can go a long way.
Ultimately, by following the tips above, you can decrease the odds that a candidate will ghost you during the hiring process or after accepting a position. If you’d like to learn more, the team at GSG Talent Solutions can help. Contact us today.