Strategies to Stop Candidates from Ghosting
You know what “ghosting” is when it comes to online dating. But what about hiring? Ghosting happens when you have a great candidate and you’re about to extend an offer – and then it seems like they disappear. You call, email and maybe even text and still, you hear nothing.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, ghosting has become a problem for many employers. A full 95% of recruiters say they’ve been ghosted, according to a report by LinkedIn.
So, when the market is a candidate-driven one and there’s a risk for ghosting, what can you do to minimize the chance of it happening to you? Here are a few tips:
How Do You Stop Candidates From Ghosting?
Be transparent.
Candidates are used to being ghosted by potential employers. However, now the tables have turned. Don’t retaliate and ghost back. Instead, be open and transparent during the hiring process. Work with your team on the inside to clarify goals and timelines and then communicate with candidates to manage their expectations. Even if they don’t get the job, they’ll appreciate your candor.
Follow up.
If you reach out to a candidate and don’t hear back right away, don’t assume you’ve been ghosted. Give them a day or two and if you still haven’t received a response, reach out again. Chances are, they are busy or perhaps your email even ended up in their spam filter. It’s worth following up with a different method, like a phone call, to make sure the candidate is still interested.
Focus on candidates.
In the past, employers have been focused on their hiring needs. These are important, but so too are the goals of the candidate. So, focus on these when you’re hiring. Many candidates feel intimidated by the hiring process, especially during interviews, so do what you can to make them feel more comfortable. Have a genuine, open-ended conversation and work to get to know them, not just as another candidate, but as a person.
Even with these steps in place, ghosting can still happen. But the more you forge a relationship with candidates, the less likely it is to happen to you. Invest more time and effort into the candidate experience, so when you’re ready to make an offer, you get the response you want.
Do you need help finding great employees without having to worry about ghosting?
If you’re looking for help with staffing, turn to Gill Staffing. As a leading staffing agency, serving the West Michigan business community, we’ll focus on the sourcing, screening and hiring, so you don’t have to think twice about getting ghosted. Simply contact us today to get started.