Any recruiter encounters candidates or clients who stop communicating without any explanation and disappear. Such situations lead to wasted time, lost opportunities, frustration, and a dent in morale for everyone involved in the hiring process.

The practice of “disappearing” is called ghosting. Such behavior can be triggered by:

• Changing Priorities
• Competitive Job Market
• Problems or Dissatisfaction During the Recruiting Process
• Mismatched Expectations
• Poor Communication Skills
• Personal or Professional Circumstances.

If you know the reasons, you can use different strategies to work with the “invisible” phenomenon and minimize financial and moral costs from such behavior. We have collected eight life hacks you can take on board to overcome an obstacle.

1. Build Strong Rapport From the Start: Invest time in understanding their needs and concerns. Active listening and empathetic communication will foster trust. Engage in honest and open dialogue.
2. Set Clear Expectations: Transparency is key to preventing ghosting. Eliminate ambiguity. Ensure that candidates and clients understand what they can expect from you and what you expect from them.
3. Keep Communication Prompt & Consistent: Maintain regular communication. Initiate ongoing exchanges about the recruiting process, provide updates promptly, and acknowledge received applications or inquiries on time.
4. Utilize Technology: Automate reminders and notifications. Integrate chatbots or virtual assistants to address common queries promptly.
5. Personalize Interactions: Provide constructive feedback throughout the process. Create an engaging and positive atmosphere and build respect and appreciation for working together.
6. Conduct Post-Interview Debriefs: Initiate debriefs sessions with both candidates and clients. Gather valuable feedback, and respond to any questions or doubts. Encouraging open dialogue helps build trust and ensures both parties remain committed and invested in the process.
7. Ask For Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback on the hiring process, seeking insights into areas where improvements are needed. Communicate changes made.
8. Practice Respectful Closure: Despite your best efforts, ghosting may still occur. Maintain professionalism and respect. Follow up with candidates and clients after a reasonable period, expressing your understanding of their decision. Offer assistance they may need in the future. Keep doors open for potential re-engagement down the line.

There’s no perfect recipe for ghosting, but building trust, developing relationships, and fostering ongoing communication are the main components to reducing ghosting and forming long-term partnerships with clients and candidates.

Embrace these life hacks, and may your recruitment be haunted by success rather than.