Job seekers increasingly ‘ghost’ employers in hiring

TEXAS, UNITED STATES — Ghosting has become commonplace in the hiring process, according to jobs site Indeed.

Ghosting refers to cutting off contact after some initial communication about candidacy. Both the employers and job seekers can experience this.

After surveying over 4,500 job seekers and employers across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, Indeed found that 78% of job seekers ghosted an employer prior to 2022 while 77% of employers said that ghosting had become more prevalent among candidates compared to previous years. 

In the U.S., 75% of job seekers and 74% of employers agreed that ghosting has become entrenched in hiring.

While 23% of job seekers felt empowered after ghosting an employer, 59% later regretted it and 36% felt guilty about doing so. Yet 62% still plan to ghost employers again in 2023. 

The report also found that 70% believe it is fair to ghost prospective employers after years of poor treatment and ghosting from companies during their own job searches.

The top reasons job seekers gave for ghosting were:

• receiving another job offer
• dissatisfaction with the job or company itself
• inadequate pay or benefits

Employers believe improving communication, shortening the hiring process, and offering flexibility would reduce ghosting, but job seekers emphasize that higher pay, pay transparency, and better benefits are the keys to accepting the offer.