The History of Ghosting

Ghosting used to come once a year on October 31st and was a fun time for kids of all ages. Costumes and candy, what more could a child possibly want after putting down their electronic gadgets and trading them in for spooktacular night.

The truth is Ghosting has now become an everyday thing, only the cast of characters are now adults seeking employment or hiring for their business. With so much technology at our fingertips (texting, email, Smart Phones), it’s apparent that none of these seem to provide a solution to combat the escalating trend of leaving candidates and employers hanging. And while we can all agree communication is a key component to the hiring process, why do managers, candidates and recruiters fail to fulfill their obligation to follow up or excuse themselves from the process. Is ghosting here to stay, or is there a path to resolve the never-ending frustration we all feel today.

Setting aside this epidemic for a minute, lets delve into the real history of ghosting and learn how Halloween became so popular in our culture.

The History of Halloween

Halloween, celebrated every October 31st, has its roots in ancient traditions and festivals. Over the years, it has evolved from a pagan ritual to a day of parties, costumes, and trick-or-treating.

1. Samhain

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "SAH-win"). This festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, and the ghosts of the deceased would return to earth.

2. Roman Influence

When the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic territories, they integrated two of their own celebrations with Samhain. The first, Feralia, was a day to honor the dead. The second, a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, which might be why apples became associated with Halloween.

3. All Hallows' Eve

With the spread of Christianity, attempts were made to incorporate pagan traditions into Christian observances. November 1 was designated as All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows. The night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, which later became Halloween.

4. Halloween in America

The traditions of Halloween came to America through immigrants. The Irish, fleeing the Potato Famine in the 1840s, brought with them the tradition of dressing in costumes and going house-to-house asking for food or money. This evolved into what we now know as trick-or-treating.

5. Modern Halloween

Today, Halloween is celebrated with a mix of dress-up, parties, haunted houses, and of course, trick-or-treating. Its pagan origins have mostly been forgotten, but some traditions like bobbing for apples or carving pumpkins (jack-o'-lanterns) persist.

Popular Halloween Costumes Over the Years

Halloween costumes have always been a significant part of the celebration. Over the years, many trends have come and gone. Here are some of the most popular costumes throughout the years:

1. 1920s: Witches, ghosts, and clowns.
2. 1950s: Characters from popular TV shows or movies, like Superman or Cinderella.
3. 1980s: Popular music stars, superheroes, and characters from blockbuster movies.
4. 2000s: Vampires (thanks to "Twilight"), pirates, and superheroes.
5. 2010s-2020s: Pop culture figures, internet memes, and timeless classics like witches, zombies, and vampires.

Halloween is a festival with ancient origins that has continuously evolved over the centuries. Its blend of ancient traditions and modern celebrations make it a unique holiday cherished by many.

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So how do we address the current trend of daily ghosting. If caring about the “candidate experience” is more than just lip service, it seems like the easy solution is making sure you provide feedback to the candidate. Whether it’s good or bad news, take a few minutes to email, text or call them with an update. The candidate and company’s brand will thank you.

And if you’re a candidate who’s no longer interested in interviewing with an employer or taken another opportunity, reciprocate in the same manner. If there are truly only 6 degrees or less of separation between everyone, doing the wrong thing may come back to bite you sooner or later.

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