.Why candidate ghosting is hurting your business—and what you can do about it
You’ve done everything right. Sourced the ideal candidate, nailed the interviews, made a competitive offer—and then… nothing.
No response.
No updates.
Just radio silence.
Welcome to the era of candidate ghosting, the modern hiring manager’s worst nightmare. And if it’s any consolation, you’re not alone.
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-competitive job market, ghosting has become an all-too-common issue. A study by Indeed found that nearly 28% of job seekers have ghosted an employer, and that number is climbing. What’s going wrong?
Let’s break it down.
🚨 Why Are Candidates Ghosting After the Offer?
There’s no single reason why candidates ghost, but here are the most common culprits:
1. They Got a Better Offer
Top talent often receives multiple offers—sometimes even before your team finishes deliberating. If you move too slowly or your offer isn’t competitive enough, someone else may beat you to the punch.
2. The Hiring Process Was Too Slow or Disconnected
Time kills all deals, especially in hiring. A sluggish, uncommunicative hiring process tells candidates one thing: they’re not a priority. And if they feel that way during hiring, they’ll assume it only gets worse on the job.
3. They Didn’t Feel Valued
Candidates aren’t just looking for a paycheck—they’re looking for purpose, connection, and a team they believe in. A lack of personalization or warmth during hiring can be a red flag.
4. Poor Communication or Follow-up
No updates for a week? Radio silence after interviews? That creates doubt—and doubt kills momentum. Candidates expect the same courtesy and responsiveness that you expect from them.
💸 The Real Cost of Candidate Ghosting
When a candidate ghosts after the offer stage, it’s not just a minor inconvenience—it can cost your company time, money, and morale.
✅ How to Stop Getting Ghosted
The good news? Ghosting isn’t inevitable. Here’s how to create a hiring process that candidates actually want to stick around for:
🕒 Be Fast
In-demand candidates don’t stay on the market long. Make decisions quickly, streamline your interview stages, and keep the momentum going.
💬 Stay in Touch
Regular check-ins, even brief ones, show candidates that you’re engaged and invested. Communicate timelines clearly and keep them updated.
👋 Be Human
Ditch the overly formal, robotic communication. Personalized emails, genuine interactions, and real conversations go a long way in building trust.
🔍 Strengthen Your Employer Brand
Candidates will Google you. Make sure your website, social channels, and employee reviews reflect a culture that people want to be part of.
✈️ Don’t Just Hire—Hire Right with Aviation Indeed
At Aviation Indeed, we understand how critical it is to not only find the right talent—but to keep them engaged from the first conversation to day one on the job.
From faster hiring processes and candidate engagement strategies to personalized communication and our proven Train & Hire model, we help organizations reduce drop-offs and eliminate ghosting.
Whether you're in aviation, aerospace, hospitality, or beyond—our tailored recruitment solutions are designed to deliver serious candidates who stick around.
Let’s put an end to ghosting.
Partner with Aviation Indeed and give your hiring process the human touch it’s been missing.
👉 Visit www.aviationindeed.com to learn more or connect with us today.
Aviation Indeed is a preeminent staffing agency specializing in payroll and recruitment services tailored to the Aviation, Aerospace, and Defense sectors. Our dedicated team of professionals consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to connecting elite talent with our esteemed clients in these dynamic industries.
