You find a great candidate for a job: experienced, energetic, committed. After an initial screening, you invite the person for an onsite interview. You never hear from the applicant again. You’ve been ghosted.
This is a frustrating and too common situation in a job market where top candidates can take their pick of opportunities. However, it’s not hopeless. Here are some tips hirers can use to keep from getting ghosted:
- Make the hiring process quick and painless. If your hiring process is drawn out, candidates are more likely to get bored or distracted and move on to other opportunities.
- Establish a personal relationship with job candidates. Once a job hunter establishes a connection with you, it is easier for him or her to imagine working with you and less likely to seek other opportunities.
- Request follow-through in your job posting. Make it clear that you will let candidates know what is happening throughout the hiring process and when/if they are out of the running for a job. In return, ask them to let you know when/if they are no longer interested in pursuing the position.
- Use automatic/short surveys. These can help keep candidates engaged. At the same time, they can tell you when someone is no longer interested in a job or your company.
