Drive by Friday
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Drive by Friday –
Stop the car! Something spooky is going on… and it’s not just Halloween!
You’ve had the interview. The conversation went well. Everyone seemed keen. There was talk of next steps, maybe even a second interview…And then? Silence. Complete silence.
No email. No phone call. No explanation. Just a candidate who has vanished into thin air.
But before we point the finger at candidates, let’s be fair. Ghosting isn’t exclusive to job seekers. Employers and recruiters can be just as guilty of disappearing when a candidate is waiting for feedback, an update or simply a yes or no.
Welcome to the spooky side of recruitment, where promising conversations can turn into mysterious disappearances overnight!
👻 Why do candidates ghost?
There are plenty of reasons a candidate might suddenly go missing:
They’ve accepted another offer. The market moves quickly, and a candidate may have found another opportunity that better suits their needs. Rather than having an awkward conversation, they disappear.
The job isn’t what they expected. Perhaps the salary, responsibilities, flexibility or company culture doesn’t quite match what they had in mind.
The process is taking too long. Candidates have lives, other opportunities and decisions to make. If the recruitment process drags on without updates, their enthusiasm can quickly disappear.
They’ve had a change of heart. Sometimes people reconsider. It happens! They may decide to stay where they are or realise the role isn't the right fit after all.
They’re avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. Saying “thanks, but no thanks” can feel awkward, particularly if they've already invested time in interviews.
Silence doesn't make the conversation disappear - it just leaves everyone else guessing.
🎃 But wait… employers can be ghosts, too!
Candidates know the feeling of waiting for an update that never comes.
They've taken time out of their day for an interview, researched the business, prepared answers and perhaps started imagining themselves in the role. Then the employer goes quiet.
Maybe the preferred candidate has been found. Maybe the role has been put on hold. Maybe priorities have changed, or the hiring manager is simply too busy to respond.
These things happen. Recruitment doesn't always go to plan, and sometimes there genuinely isn't a final answer yet.
But here's the thing: being busy is understandable. Leaving people in the dark is avoidable.
A quick email or phone call to say the process is delayed, the role has changed or another candidate has been selected makes a world of difference.
And recruiters? We're not immune either. Candidates deserve honest communication from us, just as clients do.
So, how do we stop the ghosting?
Nobody expects every candidate to accept an offer or every employer to hire every applicant. That's recruitment! But we can all do a little better.
For employers and recruiters:
· Keep candidates informed, even when there’s no news.
· Set realistic expectations around timeframes and follow through.
· Be upfront about the role, salary and recruitment process.
· Close the loop with candidates who have taken the time to interview.
For candidates:
· Changed your mind? That's okay. Let someone know.
· Accepted another offer? Congratulations! A quick message is all it takes.
· Decided the role isn't right for you? Be honest and professional.
You don't need to write an essay or provide a dramatic farewell speech. A simple message saying you've decided not to proceed is enough.
The real takeaway?
Recruitment is about people, relationships and reputations. You never know when your paths might cross again, so how you handle a difficult conversation matters. Ghosting might feel like the easy way out in the moment, but it can leave a lasting impression and not the good kind.
So, this Halloween, let's leave the disappearing acts to the ghosts, and things that go bump in the night.
In recruitment, a little communication goes a long way. No tricks required!
🎃 Friday question
Have you ever been ghosted during a recruitment process by a candidate, an employer or even a recruiter?
What's the strangest disappearing act you've encountered?
Share your story below (no names, please… let's not summon any workplace demons!).
HAVE A SPOOK-TACULAR FRIDAY EVERYONE! 👻
Now you see me, now you don’t!
Simpli-U - People First. No Ghosting.
LET'S KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
Follow Simpli-U or visit my blog for more recruitment insights, market observations and conversations about the world of work.
Because the right conversation can lead to the right move.
Blog | Discover insights – Join the conversation — Simpli-U Recruitment Solutions
Lorraine Singer
Director & Consultant – Simpli-U
Recruitment Solutions for the Novated Leasing, Salary Packaging & Automotive sectors
Australia-wide | Solutions all about ‘U’