The "Anti-Ghosting" Hiring Strategy: How to Keep Candidates Engaged

Waiting for a new hire on their 1st day

The "Anti-Ghosting" Hiring Strategy: How to Keep Candidates Engaged

The Ghosting Epidemic

Imagine this: you've found the perfect candidate. Their resume is stellar, their interview was a knockout, and you're ready to make an offer. But then... poof. They vanish. No response to emails, no returned calls, just radio silence.

You've been ghosted.

Candidate ghosting is a growing nightmare for employers, especially startups and SMBs who are already stretched thin. In a recent survey by Indeed, a staggering 28% of job seekers admitted to ghosting a prospective employer. That's over a quarter of your applicant pool potentially disappearing into thin air!

The Real Cost of Candidate Ghosting

Beyond the initial frustration, candidate ghosting has real consequences for your business:

• Wasted time and resources: Think of all the hours spent reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and coordinating schedules—all down the drain.

• Lost productivity: When a promising candidate ghosts, you're back to square one, delaying filling the position and impacting your team's workload.

• Damaged employer brand: Candidates who ghost you often share their negative experiences, hurting your reputation and making it harder to attract top talent in the future.

Fighting Back with the "Anti-Ghosting" Hiring Strategy

It's time to take a stand against ghosting and create a candidate experience that keeps applicants engaged and excited. Here's how to implement an "anti-ghosting" strategy:

• Speed is Key: In today's fast-paced job market, responsiveness is crucial. Aim to respond to applications within 24-48 hours, and don't let candidates languish between interview rounds.

• Personalization Matters: Generic emails and templated responses are a recipe for disengagement. Take the time to personalize your communication, addressing candidates by name and referencing specific details from their applications or interviews.

• Transparency is Your Friend: Clearly communicate the hiring timeline upfront and provide regular updates, even if it's just a quick note saying, "We're still reviewing applications and will be in touch soon."

• Respect Goes a Long Way: Treat all candidates with courtesy and respect, even those you don't ultimately hire. A positive candidate experience, regardless of the outcome, can protect your employer brand and even turn rejected candidates into brand advocates.

• Embrace Technology: Applicant tracking systems (ATS) can help you automate communication, schedule interviews, and keep candidates informed throughout the hiring process.

Turning the Tide: Your Commitment to Change

Candidate ghosting is a challenge, but it's not insurmountable. By implementing an "anti-ghosting" strategy, you can create a positive candidate experience, reduce ghosting rates, and attract top talent to your company.