Greenhouse: 61% of job seekers have been 'ghosted' during the recruitment process

Searching for a new job can often feel like a full-time role. Candidates can spend hours searching for the right position, tentatively completing an application, to often, not hear back from the employer.

It’s no wonder that the process is frustrating, but according to new research from Greenhouse, some aspects are just getting worse.

In many cases, businesses are posting roles with no intent to hire – these are known as “ghost jobs,” or ghosting.

But sadly, the number of candidates getting ghosted after a job interview has risen by 19 percentage points since April 2024, with 61% of job seekers now sharing they’ve been ghosted by a business.

Candidates are somewhat expecting this, with over half (56%) sharing they’ve encountered a ghost job, with more than one-quarter (27%) still applying for the role anyway.

Supporting this, Jon Stross, President and Co-founder of Greenhouse says: “Ghosting and ghost jobs are a cliché in hiring at this point. Ghosting has only increased since April this year - six in every 10 job seekers in the UK have been ghosted after a job interview.”

We’re seeing a lot of angst and anxiety from candidates because of this. They’re now skeptical whether job postings are real, with most suspecting they’ve encountered a ghost job.”We’re seeing a lot of angst and anxiety from candidates because of this. They’re now skeptical whether job postings are real, with most suspecting they’ve encountered a ghost job.”

How is AI impacting the recruitment process?

Although HR predominantly sees AI as a tool for good, there is still some speculation about its use.

In fact, a whopping 96% of workers described the current job market as “challenging”, with 60% pinning this intensification on the rise of AI competition.

Greenhouse’s internal data shows that recruiter workload increased to 588 applications in Q3 2024 – a 26% increase from Q3 2023.

The research also shows that it is easier than ever for candidates to apply for jobs – all thanks to AI.

However, the tool has enabled 28% of job seekers to mass apply to roles, rather focusing on more targeted opportunities.

Recruiter workload has also skyrocketed, with data showing a 26% increase from Q3 2023 to Q3 2024.

AI has exacerbated the job search - candidates can mass apply, flooding companies with applications, frustrating for candidates and HR Managers alike,” says Stross. “But there’s really no good excuse for ghosting to be so common.AI has exacerbated the job search - candidates can mass apply, flooding companies with applications, frustrating for candidates and HR Managers alike,” says Stross. “But there’s really no good excuse for ghosting to be so common.

“There are tools in hiring platforms that make it easier to respond to candidates; HR teams should be using them and prioritizing responsiveness to candidates.”

But, the key question is: What can HR leaders do to ensure they’re not contributing to this issue?

Well, Greenhouse research suggests that there should be three top priorities: increase transparency during the recruitment process (33%), provide better clarity of AI usage (31%), and refrain from posting ghost jobs (23%).

If these can be achieved, do you think the job market will be a better place for candidates and recruiters, alike?