Don’t Ghost Candidates; Be Communicative!

Silence can be deafening in the fast-paced job-hunting and recruitment world. Imagine this scenario: You’ve painstakingly crafted your CV, invested hours in interview preparation, and finally landed an opportunity that seems like the perfect match for your skills and aspirations. Getting that call or email that could potentially lead to your next career move fills you with excitement.

But days turn into weeks, and that eagerly expected response never arrives. You’ve just been “ghosted.” This term, borrowed from modern dating, has stealthily infiltrated the world of job candidates. Ghosting in the context of job seeking is when employers or recruiters suddenly and inexplicably cease all communication with prospective hires. It’s not merely a minor inconvenience; it’s a jarring and disheartening experience that leaves candidates hanging by a thread in the dark.

Let’s delve into this and explore the effects of job ghosting on candidates and businesses and reveal how MBA programmes can serve as the ideal change by instituting candidate check-ins and concierge services, ultimately making the recruitment process more humane and efficient.

The Ghosting Epidemic

In the modern job market, ghosting has become a pervasive and concerning phenomenon. A significant number of job seekers have experienced this disheartening trend, causing considerable emotional and professional distress. Recent studies show that in the UK, a staggering 78% of job seekers have been ghosted by an employer at least once, illustrating the prevalence of this issue. This widespread practice affects job seekers and reflects poorly on companies, affecting their reputation and making it more challenging for them to attract and retain top talent. As such, the ghosting epidemic calls for increased awareness, transparency, and professionalism in the hiring process to ensure a more respectful and efficient experience for both job seekers and employers.

The Data Speaks.

? In the past 12 months, 48% of job seekers in the UK encountered at least one negative experience during the hiring process, with 49% declining job offers due to these poor experiences.

? An astonishing 91% of respondents said that being ghosted during the hiring process creates a negative perception of the associated brand.

? A recent study conducted by CareerBuilder revealed that ghosting costs UK businesses an average of ￡3,853 per ghosted candidate.

? According to LinkedIn, a striking 75% of recruiters believe that ghosting has a detrimental impact on their employer brand.

MBA’s Candidate Check-In

MBA Candidate Check-In service is a proactive approach to maintaining candidate engagement throughout the recruitment process. It is designed to ensure that candidates are consistently informed, valued, and aware of their status, all while reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing an exceptional candidate experience.

Keeping Candidates Informed and Engaged:

1. Scheduled Updates: Regularly scheduled updates are provided to candidates, keeping them updated about the status of their applications, next steps, and timelines. This eliminates uncertainty and keeps candidates engaged.
2. Feedback Opportunities: The check-in offers candidates opportunities to provide feedback at key process stages, creating a sense of involvement and partnership in the recruitment journey.
3. Timely Responses: Candidates’ questions and concerns are addressed promptly, ensuring they never feel left in the dark. Timely responses maintain a high level of candidate satisfaction.

The Power of Candidate Concierge Services

Candidate concierge services are personalised support and guidance for job applicants throughout recruitment. These services are designed to streamline and enhance the candidate’s journey, offering them a dedicated point of contact who helps with various aspects of the application and interview process. Concierge services can include answering questions, supplying information on the company and role, offering interview preparation tips, and ensuring candidates have a seamless and comfortable experience from start to finish.

Adverse Effects of Ghosting on Businesses

Negative Consequences of Ghosting

Ghosting can have detrimental effects on businesses across various dimensions. Firstly, it disrupts the hiring process, leading to delays and uncertainty. When candidates suddenly withdraw from the process without explanation, employers must invest more time and resources in identifying and onboarding new talent, causing inefficiencies and potential operational bottlenecks.

Tarnished Company Reputation

Ghosting can tarnish a company’s reputation. A business that gains a reputation for poor candidate treatment may struggle to attract top talent. Word-of-mouth travels quickly, especially in the digital age of company reviews, and negative candidate experiences can deter potential hires.

Hindered Talent Attraction

Top talent seeks employers with strong, respectful, and professional hiring practices. When ghosting becomes a norm, companies risk losing out on the best candidates who opt for organisations that offer a more positive recruitment experience. This can stifle a business’s ability to innovate and grow.

Extended Hiring Costs

Extended hiring processes due to ghosting can be costly. The longer a position is vacant, the less productivity and revenue it generates. Additionally, extra time and effort spent reinitiating recruitment and training processes can add up in terms of financial resources, affecting the company’s bottom line.

A Win-Win Solution

Maintaining good communication with candidates leads to better hiring outcomes. It fosters trust and mutual respect, ensuring a smoother and more respectful recruitment process. When communication lines are open, candidates are more likely to provide timely responses and feedback, which, in turn, enables employers to make better-informed decisions. This proactive approach creates a win-win situation: candidates receive a more positive and respectful application experience, and businesses enhance their hiring outcomes by attracting and retaining top talent.

In a world where ghosting has become a concerning issue, both employers and candidates need to join forces in resolving this challenge. Employers should foster a culture of transparent and timely communication, starting with the recruitment process, while candidates must commit to respectful and responsive interactions. Together, we can create a more professional and respectful hiring landscape, ensuring a win-win scenario for all. Let’s work collaboratively to bridge the gap and set a higher standard for engaging with one another during the hiring process.

MBA, as your Recruitment Partner, is here to help. Contact us today!