On this week's episode of From Dorms to Desks, our cohosts dive into one of the most frustrating job market experiences: ghosting. As they put it, "You clicked apply and waited. And waited. And… nothing. Ghosted again." Sometimes it’s not personal—your résumé may be the culprit—but often the silence comes from recruiters and hiring managers themselves.
Candidate ghosting—when recruiters cease all communication without explanation—is widespread and demoralizing. It’s especially maddening when recruiters initially express enthusiasm, only to vanish after candidates invest in interviews or projects. Job seekers are left in limbo, often branding recruiters as “time wasters” or worse.
Recruiters cite many reasons. Some juggle thousands of applicants and claim it’s “not a good use of time” to respond. Others blame indecisive or uncommunicative hiring managers. Some avoid delivering bad news, worry about hostile reactions, or hide behind no-reply emails triggered by applicant tracking systems. Others keep candidates “warm” as backup options, or are told explicitly by managers not to reject candidates. Antiquated systems, agency profit models, and even laziness all play a role.
The impact extends beyond individuals. Ghosting damages employer brands, drives candidates to ghost recruiters in return, and feeds perceptions that “ghost jobs” are posted without intent to hire. The practice erodes trust in recruiting as a profession.
Despite the excuses, most agree ghosting is unprofessional and avoidable. Simple solutions exist: automated rejection emails, upgraded tracking systems with candidate portals, and a stronger emphasis on accountability. Some point out GDPR obligations to inform candidates about their data, arguing silence may even breach compliance. Others suggest recruiters should push back on hiring managers for clearer processes. Ironically, when recruiters are ghosted themselves in job searches, they often gain empathy.
For candidates, the episode explores small changes to make résumés stand out and applications harder to ignore. General strategies include following up when communication stalls, but also moving on quickly if silence persists. Setting expectations for updates during interviews can help, but ultimately the healthiest approach is not dwelling on ghosting—keep applying until an offer is in hand.
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