You found the perfect candidate. You made the offer. Then—silence.
If you’ve been ghosted by a job seeker lately, you’re not alone. A 2023 survey found that 77% of employers experience ghosting during the hiring process. What’s worse: 10% of candidates ghost after accepting the offer.
This trend isn’t just frustrating—it’s expensive. Every stalled hire costs time, productivity, and momentum. So why are candidates disappearing, and what can you do about it?
Reason #1: The Hiring Process Took Too Long
Speed matters. According to LinkedIn’s Hiring Trends report, top candidates are off the market within 10 days. Yet many employers still take weeks to schedule interviews, gather feedback, and finalize decisions.
By the time you make your offer, that candidate may already be onboarding somewhere else. Or worse—they’ve lost interest because your process seemed disorganized or indifferent.
How to fix it: Tighten your timeline. Set internal deadlines for interviews and decisions. Use automation or recruiting software to streamline communication. If your process takes longer than two weeks, you’re likely losing top talent to faster competitors.
Reason #2: The Offer Didn’t Match Expectations
Today’s candidates do their homework. They research pay ranges, benefits, and company culture before they ever apply. If your offer is below market—or just vague—they’ll walk.
According to the 2024 Job Seeker Nation Report, 35% of candidates ghost because the compensation doesn’t meet expectations. Another 26% said the offer lacked transparency about growth opportunities or benefits.
How to fix it: Benchmark your pay against similar roles in your region. Clearly highlight benefits and perks. Be upfront about job expectations and development paths. And don’t lowball. A competitive offer shows respect—and urgency.
Reason #3: Candidates Don’t Feel a Connection
People want more than a paycheck. They want to feel like they matter. If your interviews are transactional or cold, candidates won’t feel excited to join your team.
Culture is a major driver in today’s job market. A Glassdoor survey found that 77% of candidates consider a company’s culture before applying. If your hiring process doesn’t reflect that culture, they may opt for a better fit—even if your offer is solid.
How to fix it: Make your interviews conversational. Introduce candidates to team members or show them where they’ll work. Personal touches can create emotional investment—and reduce last-minute drop-offs.
Bonus Tip: Stay in Touch During the Wait
Ghosting doesn’t just happen after interviews—it often happens during long silences. If candidates don’t hear from you for days or weeks, they assume you’ve moved on. So they do, too.
How to fix it: Set clear expectations about next steps and timelines. Even a quick check-in message can keep a candidate warm. Communication builds trust—and trust leads to follow-through.
Partner with PrideStaff Thousand Oaks to Secure the Talent You Need
PrideStaff helps employers attract, engage, and retain top-tier candidates. We move fast, communicate clearly, and set expectations on both sides—reducing ghosting and increasing offer acceptance.
Don’t let your best candidates vanish. Contact your local PrideStaff office today and turn interest into action.
