Is Ghosting the Most Overused Term in Recruitment?

Is Ghosting the Most Overused Term in Recruitment?

Ghosting—a term that originated in the world of dating—has become a staple in recruitment conversations. It refers to candidates or recruiters abruptly cutting off communication without explanation. While undeniably frustrating, is ghosting truly the recruitment epidemic it is made out to be, or has it become an overused buzzword?

The Ghosting Phenomenon in Recruitment

Ghosting is often cited as a major pain point for both candidates and recruiters. Candidates disappear mid-process, stop responding after interviews, or even fail to show up on their first day. On the other hand, recruiters and hiring managers may suddenly go silent on a candidate, leaving them in limbo. The term is used so frequently that it sometimes overshadows the deeper reasons behind the behaviour.

Why Do Candidates Ghost? Rather than assuming bad intent, it is worth exploring the underlying motivations. Here are some key reasons why candidates may choose to disengage:

• Lack of Clear Communication – If expectations, timelines, or next steps are not clearly defined, candidates may lose interest or assume they are no longer being considered.

• Fear of Confrontation – Many candidates find it uncomfortable to reject a job offer or inform a recruiter they are pursuing another opportunity, so they choose silence instead.

• Better Offers Elsewhere – In a competitive job market, candidates may receive multiple offers and prioritise the best one without informing other potential employers.

• Negative Candidate Experience – A slow, disorganised, or unprofessional hiring process can cause candidates to disengage without explanation.

• Recruiter Ghosting Culture – Many candidates have experienced being ghosted themselves by recruiters in the past, creating a cycle where they see ghosting as an acceptable response.

Why Do Recruiters Ghost?

While less frequently discussed, recruiters also ghost candidates, often due to structural or operational issues rather than intentional disregard. Some common reasons include:

• High Workload & Prioritisation Issues – Recruiters manage multiple roles and candidates simultaneously, which can sometimes lead to candidates slipping through the cracks.

• Client or Internal Decision Delays – Recruiters may be waiting on updates from hiring managers and, without new information to provide, go silent.

• Fear of Delivering Bad News – Some recruiters struggle with informing candidates of rejection, especially if there is no constructive feedback available.

• Process Breakdown – If a role is suddenly cancelled or put on hold, recruiters may not have an official update and hesitate to communicate uncertainty.

A More Constructive Approach

Instead of broadly labelling all disengagement as ghosting, recruiters and candidates can adopt strategies to improve communication:

For recruiters: Set clear expectations about the hiring timeline, follow up even when there is no update, and provide constructive feedback when possible.

For candidates: Be transparent if they are pursuing other opportunities and respectfully decline if they decide to withdraw from a process.

For employers: Foster a culture that values communication and ensures recruiters have the time and resources to properly engage with candidates.

Conclusion

While ghosting is a real issue in recruitment, it’s important to acknowledge that it often stems from deeper problems in communication, workload management, and hiring processes. By understanding the root causes and implementing better practices, both recruiters and candidates can create a more transparent and respectful hiring experience. Instead of treating ghosting as an inevitable industry plague, let’s redefine the way we engage with one another in the hiring journey.

At David Kennedy Recruitment, we believe that great recruitment starts with great communication. We understand how frustrating it can be to apply for a job and never hear back—that is why we never ghost our candidates. Whether it is good news, feedback, or just an update on your application, we will keep you informed every step of the way. Your career matters to us, and we are here to support you with honesty, transparency, and the personalised attention you deserve. Because at DKR, you are never just another application—you are a valued professional, and we are with you on your journey.

DKR