Job-hunting in 2024 has a modern dating element — ghosting!
Oct 22, 2024, 13:31 IST
If you are a millennial or belong to GenZ, you might already be familiar with the term ghosting. In simple words, it is the act of abruptly cutting off all communication with someone without any explanation. This can happen in various contexts, but is most commonly associated with dating, when one party disappears after a few conversations or dates. It’s generally considered a disrespectful or hurtful behaviour, as it leaves the “ghosted” person with no closure.
However, the tradition of ghosting seems to be apparent not just in the dating world, but workplaces as well. Recent studies have revealed a significant rise in workplace ghosting, highlighting a growing issue in the professional landscape. Hence, if you are a job-seeker in 2024, the process of hunting for a job might have a very common modern dating element - ghosting.
Ghosting goes corporate: Possible scenarios
In a professional setting, ghosting can occur when a job candidate or employer suddenly stops communicating without notice. Here are a few ways ghosting can play out in the workplace:
1. Job candidates ghosting employers: After an interview or receiving a job offer, some candidates may vanish without providing any reason, either not showing up for further interviews or never responding to the offer.
2. Employees ghosting their employers: In some cases, employees may simply stop showing up to work, resigning without formal notice, and ceasing all communication. This can happen if they’ve found another job or are dissatisfied with their current position but don’t want to go through the formal resignation process.
3. Employers ghosting candidates: Companies sometimes ghost job applicants by not following up after interviews, leaving the candidate in limbo without a rejection or feedback.
Employers ghosting candidates on the rise
A recent study by JobLeads revealed that 45% of job applicants report being ghosted, which is a 30% increase in such incidents. This phenomenon is not just an occasional oversight; it is becoming alarmingly common, affecting countless jobseekers trying to navigate the job market.
Another survey conducted by FlexJobs and MyPerfectResume revealed that nearly half of those surveyed had experienced ghosting by a potential employer, with 33% stating it had occurred multiple times.
Apart from ghosting, candidates are also getting frustrated from “ghost job postings” — fake listings that companies have no intention of filling. These postings may serve various purposes, such as boosting employee morale, projecting an image of growth, or assessing the talent pool for future openings. Regardless of the intention, such practices can lead to further disenchantment among job seekers.
How to not get ghosted
JobLeads also listed out ways that job-seekers can save themselves from getting ghosted. Here is a look at some of them.
1. Ask for a timeline: After an interview, candidates can request a timeline for the hiring process. This not only sets clear expectations but also indicates seriousness about the role. Knowing when to follow up can clarify whether the lack of communication is due to delays or if they have been ghosted altogether.
2. Follow up: If candidates haven’t heard back by the agreed-upon timeline, they should consider following up. A polite email expressing continued interest can help re-establish communication and prompt a response.
3. Reach out to other contacts: If candidates interviewed with multiple individuals at a company, reaching out to another contact can provide additional insights into the status of their application. There may be internal delays unrelated to the candidate’s performance or fit.
Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, Co-Founder and Managing Director at JobLeads, said that delays in communication can arise from various factors, such as changes within the team or the company’s communication culture. However, if candidates have followed up twice without receiving a response, it is advisable to maintain professionalism and move on.
A two-way street
While employers ghosting employees cases are rising, the opposite is also happening. GenZ workers, as per another survey, are ghosting their employers and aren’t showing up on their first day at work.
In February this year, a Fortune report attributed to a research by job-search platform Indeed revealed that 93% of Gen Z workers in the UK admitted to applying for jobs but failing to attend interviews, while 87% didn’t even show up on their first day.
This behaviour, as per the report, is often driven by a desire to feel in control of their career paths. Gen Z workers, in particular, have expressed a willingness to disengage from positions that do not meet their expectations.
The report added that even though older generations also admit to ghosting, it is usually with feelings of regret. However, for Gen Z, it seems to be part of a larger movement that seeks greater control over their careers, aligning with the #ActYourWage mindset. Many young adults today feel empowered to prioritise their personal goals, only committing to roles they believe meet their financial and personal needs.
Danny Stacy, head of talent intelligence at Indeed UK, said that a lack of transparency from employers, particularly about salary and benefits, is contributing to this rise in ghosting. As companies struggle to adjust to the increasing cost of living, employees feel justified in rejecting jobs that don’t align with their financial expectations.
“It’s clear that the financial offer is the biggest carrot for employers trying to attract talent, with pay, benefits and other factors that support the rise in cost-of-living likely to prevent a job seeker from ghosting,” Stacy told Fortune.
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However, the tradition of ghosting seems to be apparent not just in the dating world, but workplaces as well. Recent studies have revealed a significant rise in workplace ghosting, highlighting a growing issue in the professional landscape. Hence, if you are a job-seeker in 2024, the process of hunting for a job might have a very common modern dating element - ghosting.
Ghosting goes corporate: Possible scenarios
In a professional setting, ghosting can occur when a job candidate or employer suddenly stops communicating without notice. Here are a few ways ghosting can play out in the workplace:
1. Job candidates ghosting employers: After an interview or receiving a job offer, some candidates may vanish without providing any reason, either not showing up for further interviews or never responding to the offer.
2. Employees ghosting their employers: In some cases, employees may simply stop showing up to work, resigning without formal notice, and ceasing all communication. This can happen if they’ve found another job or are dissatisfied with their current position but don’t want to go through the formal resignation process.
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3. Employers ghosting candidates: Companies sometimes ghost job applicants by not following up after interviews, leaving the candidate in limbo without a rejection or feedback.
Employers ghosting candidates on the rise
A recent study by JobLeads revealed that 45% of job applicants report being ghosted, which is a 30% increase in such incidents. This phenomenon is not just an occasional oversight; it is becoming alarmingly common, affecting countless jobseekers trying to navigate the job market.
Another survey conducted by FlexJobs and MyPerfectResume revealed that nearly half of those surveyed had experienced ghosting by a potential employer, with 33% stating it had occurred multiple times.
Apart from ghosting, candidates are also getting frustrated from “ghost job postings” — fake listings that companies have no intention of filling. These postings may serve various purposes, such as boosting employee morale, projecting an image of growth, or assessing the talent pool for future openings. Regardless of the intention, such practices can lead to further disenchantment among job seekers.
Advertisement
How to not get ghosted
JobLeads also listed out ways that job-seekers can save themselves from getting ghosted. Here is a look at some of them.
1. Ask for a timeline: After an interview, candidates can request a timeline for the hiring process. This not only sets clear expectations but also indicates seriousness about the role. Knowing when to follow up can clarify whether the lack of communication is due to delays or if they have been ghosted altogether.
2. Follow up: If candidates haven’t heard back by the agreed-upon timeline, they should consider following up. A polite email expressing continued interest can help re-establish communication and prompt a response.
3. Reach out to other contacts: If candidates interviewed with multiple individuals at a company, reaching out to another contact can provide additional insights into the status of their application. There may be internal delays unrelated to the candidate’s performance or fit.
Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, Co-Founder and Managing Director at JobLeads, said that delays in communication can arise from various factors, such as changes within the team or the company’s communication culture. However, if candidates have followed up twice without receiving a response, it is advisable to maintain professionalism and move on.
Advertisement
A two-way street
While employers ghosting employees cases are rising, the opposite is also happening. GenZ workers, as per another survey, are ghosting their employers and aren’t showing up on their first day at work.
In February this year, a Fortune report attributed to a research by job-search platform Indeed revealed that 93% of Gen Z workers in the UK admitted to applying for jobs but failing to attend interviews, while 87% didn’t even show up on their first day.
This behaviour, as per the report, is often driven by a desire to feel in control of their career paths. Gen Z workers, in particular, have expressed a willingness to disengage from positions that do not meet their expectations.
The report added that even though older generations also admit to ghosting, it is usually with feelings of regret. However, for Gen Z, it seems to be part of a larger movement that seeks greater control over their careers, aligning with the #ActYourWage mindset. Many young adults today feel empowered to prioritise their personal goals, only committing to roles they believe meet their financial and personal needs.
Danny Stacy, head of talent intelligence at Indeed UK, said that a lack of transparency from employers, particularly about salary and benefits, is contributing to this rise in ghosting. As companies struggle to adjust to the increasing cost of living, employees feel justified in rejecting jobs that don’t align with their financial expectations.
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“It’s clear that the financial offer is the biggest carrot for employers trying to attract talent, with pay, benefits and other factors that support the rise in cost-of-living likely to prevent a job seeker from ghosting,” Stacy told Fortune.