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Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
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May 2026 #18322 Page #114
Who’s Ghosting Who? Thomas McAnally TheJobLine.com Hiring-Zone.com The Advertiser
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hosting has become a common occurrence, but in the hiring world, it carries real consequences. At its core, ghosting happens when one party simply stops responding, even though a level of engagement had been established. In the building components manufacturing industry, and in my role as a recruiter, communication and timing are critical, so this breakdown is more than frustrating. It is costly, disruptive, and ultimately unprofessional.
From the employer’s perspective, the frustration is easy to understand. A candidate goes through an initial email conversation, maybe even a full phone or video interview. The discussion is positive. The employer sees a fit and expresses interest in moving forward, and the candidate is also very interested. Then, without warning, the candidate disappears. Emails go unanswered. Calls are not returned. What looked like a strong hire is suddenly gone. In many cases, the employer feels they were only steps away from bringing that person on board. They may have already started internal discussions, adjusted workload expectations, or even slowed down conversations with other candidates. When that candidate goes dark, it forces the employer to restart the process, often under tighter timelines and added pressure. Now flip the perspective. A candidate invests time preparing for an interview, participates in discussions, and receives positive feedback. The employer indicates interest and sets expectations for next steps or a follow-up timeline. Then the timeline comes and goes with no communication. The candidate follows up, but nothing comes back. From the candidate’s side, this is just as frustrating. They are left in limbo, unsure if they are still being considered or if they should move on. In reality, several things may be happening behind the scenes. The employer may have identified another candidate they prefer. They may have an offer out and are waiting for acceptance. In some cases, they may even be holding multiple candidates in reserve until a new hire officially starts. A recruiter sees both sides of this regularly. There are situations where an employer communicates strong interest and commits to a response by a certain date, only to go silent when that date arrives. There are also situations where a candidate expresses enthusiasm and alignment, only to stop responding when it comes time to move forward. Regardless of which side initiates it, ghosting sends the same message. It signals a lack of professionalism and a lack of respect for the other party’s time and effort. This industry is built on relationships. Whether you are a designer, a hiring manager, or a company owner, your reputation matters.
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