Named after the phenomenon popularized by dating apps, professional ghosting refers to when a candidate or new employee disappears from the hiring process without warning.
Not only is professional ghosting on the rise, it’s also something that many members of the workforce are willing to defend. According to a study, 40% of employees believed it was acceptable to ghost during the interview stage of the hiring process.
Technology makes it easier than ever to leave the hiring process without follow up. In addition, the sheer volume of opportunities online may make it difficult to track applications and action items. However, there are several critical reasons you shouldn’t ghost a recruiter or new employer.
Confrontation is Healthy
Even though it may feel uncomfortable in the moment, turning down a job offer is an important professional skill. In the workforce, you’ll often find yourself in situations that require you to manage conflict, deliver bad news, and say no.
When you choose ghosting over having a conversation that makes you uneasy, you lose a valuable opportunity for this form of career development.
Taking the time to write an email or call your recruiter is good practice for larger-scale confrontation down the road.
It’s a Small World
Maybe you’ll never run into the recruiter you ghosted again.
Then again, maybe you’ll end up assigned to that recruiter or recruitment agency the next time you apply for a job. There’s no way to know—which is why you should always avoid burning bridges in the professional sphere.
Vanishing midway through the hiring process leaves a bad impression. It especially stings if you’ve had extensive correspondence with a hiring manager or anyone at the company where you were an applicant.
On the other hand, withdrawing from the hiring process via a formal, diplomatic message can salvage that professional connection.
It’s Inconsiderate to Ghost
The most important reason not to ghost is that it’s impolite, unprofessional, and unfair to your recruiter.
The process of vetting, interviewing, and onboarding a new employee is expensive and time-consuming. When candidates disappear, they leave behind a mess for the talent acquisition team to clean up.
Avoid the temptation to ghost by finding out exactly what a job entails before going into an interview. Staying informed throughout recruitment helps you set expectations and hold yourself accountable.
It’s easy to stay informed and organized in your job search with ABBTECH. Our recruiters are superior communicators. We will facilitate your job search process with regular updates, interview notifications and reminders. We’re with you every step of the way for support and feedback.