I was sitting in the dining hall with my new colleagues a few months into my first job out of graduate school when I started to chuckle at the recent email that just came through. I announced sarcastically to the group that, unfortunately, I just read that I didn't get the other job that I applied to eight months prior. Another colleague shared that from their experience, I was lucky to hear back at all.
The recent job market revolution has presented a new set of rules for both recruiters and job seekers, but one persistent and unfortunate trend seems determined to outlast other outdated norms. When a recruiter or job seeker suddenly discontinues communication about an open position with the other, this disappearance is appropriately referred to as "ghosting." Unfortunately, this action (or inaction) is a pervasive trend observed on both sides of the recruiting dynamic. Let's examine some of the reasons for ghosting and how employers and candidates can work together to avoid this frustrating experience.