Dive Brief:
- Ghosting is a relatively new term that can mean a variety of things, including being dumped by a good friend or a date with no reason given. And while millennials may think they coined the term, ghosting has been part of the job search process for a long time — and it's poor form for employers looking to promote and build a brand, according to Quartz.
- The article cites a CareerBuilder survey of almost 4,000 workers that found 60% of job applicants who had an interview were "ghosted" by potential employers, and 75% who applied to jobs using various resources never heard back from the employer.
- Brendan Browne, head of talent acquisitions at LinkedIn, told Quartz that employers can be "overwhelmed with applications and interviews," and ghosting is the easy way out. It's also a mistake. “The employment brand is an extension of the company brand,” he told Quartz. “Every interaction you have with a candidate determines how attractive a place it is for people to work.”.
Dive Insight:
Browne's advice to employers is to proactively reach out to candidates so they can know how things are going and if they might be delays. “It keeps the lines of communication open,” he says.
Today's recruiting focus is not just on securing the best talent. There is also a spotlight on HR and recruiting learning from the marketing department in how to put an employer's best foot forward, so that even candidates who may not get the job leave with a positive experience that can lead to a strong viral marketing push in the future.