Why Tech Companies Ghost Jobseekers and How Can a Jobseeker Prevent It?

You went on a date, had a great time, and suddenly the person stops responding. No messages, no calls, nothing. So, what could have happened? Most likely, you’ve been ghosted. Ghosting is very common in dating when a person unexpectedly ceases contact without giving any reason. Unfortunately, ghosting is not only common in the dating world but also in hiring. Employers too ghost Jobseekers after lengthy discussions and multiple interview rounds. This unpleasant experience makes the candidate think what actually went wrong. In this article we address How to avoid Ghosting after a Job Interview? 

Ghosting is the biggest pain point for any jobseeker. After putting in their time and effort, if they don’t get a proper explanation of their rejection, it can make them question their worth. Many times, ghosting is unintentional, but other times, it’s done by the employer to avoid giving feedback.

In this blog, we will

  • Look at reasons why clients ghost candidates.
  • Offer some ways you can avoid being ghosted.
  • Discuss how SynergisticIT can help you reduce the chances of being ghosted by employers.

What is ghosting?

When a hiring manager cuts off all the communication without notice, even after showing initial interest, it’s called ghosting. Imagine yourself as a candidate. You went through rounds of tests and interviews, and everything seemed positive. The hiring manager also said that they’ll contact you to discuss the next steps. After a few days of waiting for the response, you sent out a follow-up. But you get no reply from the hiring manager, not even an update of your job status. Your excitement cools down, and you are left in the dark trying to figure out why it happened.

Ghosting is an increasing trend, with statistics suggesting that nearly 40 percent of clients ghosted candidates after second or third interview. While the hiring manager can have any reason to do that, for the candidate, it can be an incredibly frustrating experience. It not only makes them feel demotivated, but they start to question their abilities.

Why Do Clients Ghost?

Client ghosting the candidates is common. But before we suggest what you can do as a candidate to avoid ghosting, we need to understand the reasons why they do so. After talking to some senior recruiters, we have come to these common reasons.

They are no more interested in you.

Just like in dating, the person ghosts if they don’t feel any chemistry; the client may ghost you because they didn’t find the spark in you. It is highly likely that after initial conversations and interview rounds, they realized that you are not the right fit for the position. Your experience, skills, or soft skills didn’t match for the role.

Your portfolio is not impressive.

The clients have to analyze the current skills and the future capabilities of the candidates. If your portfolio lacks substance and you haven’t been able to convince them of your abilities, they may ghost you and not give any false hopes.

You got sidelined due to the competition.

A recruiter stops communicating if they have already filled the position. They may have found a better qualified and skilled candidate than you. The IT industry is extremely competitive, and employers have to select from several applicants. If they find an applicant with a stronger skill set, they prefer to move forward with them without informing.

Internal reasons

Sometimes, recruiters have to stop hiring due to sudden organizational changes. For instance, the company may have decided to freeze or postpone hiring. Other things like budget cuts, changes in project deadlines, etc. can also affect the hiring process, and recruiters may leave you hanging in the middle.

Still in the process of deciding

IT hiring is like finding a pearl in the ocean. Recruiters have to go through multiple applications and interviews to get the best candidate. The hiring managers also have some expectations from the candidates. All this can delay the process, and they may not contact candidates until they are fully satisfied by the picks.

They have a low budget.

Your salary expectation can be another reason the client may stop communicating. If you’ve asked for a salary that’s more than the company’s budget, they may not see you as the right fit for the role. So, instead of negotiating salary, they may ghost you, thinking you’ll get the sign.

Too much work

Recruiters are usually loaded with a lot of work, and they have to manage and communicate with a flood of candidates. At times, recruiters unintentionally ghost candidates as they have no time to communicate with all of them. They may choose not to spend the resources on dealing with unhappy candidates or negative feedback.

What can you do to avoid being ghosted by clients?

Accepting the situation and getting past it can be challenging. However, it’s important to take every experience as a learning and approach the issue with positivity. So, if you are experiencing ghosting, here are some things you can do to minimize it.

Make yourself more desirable.

The most common reason an employer may have ghosted you is that you didn’t fit into the role. Understanding the role and what the client may be expecting from you will help make yourself more desirable for the employer. So, keep the job responsibilities in mind when sending out the resume as well as giving the job interview.

Upgrade your skills

According to a LinkedIn report, candidates with strong tech skills have a higher chance of getting hired. So, if you want to stand out from the crowd, upskilling is the way to go. Learn about high-demand skills and technologies to enhance your employability.

Be proactive in communication.

Sometimes, technical issues can lead to ghosting. Like, the employer email may have landed up in spam. If you feel that you haven’t been updated about the job, you can send a polite follow-up email. You might get a reply and feedback about your interview.

Highlight your skills.

Your unique skills can get you noticed by the employer. So, whether it’s through skill training or real-life projects, make sure you show the client why you are a good fit for the role. You must let them know how you can make a difference through your skills and experience.

Up your interviewing skills

Most of the time, ghosting happens after the interview. This means that the interviewer liked you initially, but something went off during the interview. To avoid such a situation, you must practice giving interviews. Work on your confidence or seek professional help who can work with you to make a lasting impact on the employer.

Get the Right Certifications

Employers always prefer candidates who have the latest skills and certifications. For instance, applicants with certifications in data science, Java, AWS, etc. are in high demand. According to a study, certified IT professionals get an edge during the selection process. So, get the latest certifications to minimize the chances of being ghosted.

How Can SynergisticIT Help You Avoid Ghosting?

Ghosting is unethical and can hurt your morale and confidence. But if you are getting ghosted frequently, it’s time to assess your skills and qualifications. It is possible that your skills gaps are pushing you back and preventing you from getting any leads. With the right skills and a strong portfolio, you can maintain visibility in the client’s mind and avoid ghosting.

Here’s how SynergisticIT can help you.

Training in High-Demand Technologies

We train candidates on the most in-demand technologies, such as Java, Python, data science, machine learning, DevOps, AI, and more. Once you have strong tech skills, no potential employer can overlook you. Statistics also reveal that highly skilled candidates have more chances of getting hired.

Project-Based Learning

Globally, employers are using skill-based hiring to identify the right talent. So, lacking in real-life experience can put you on backfoot. Ensuring our candidates are hired and have on-the-job success, we give hands-on experience with real-world projects. Our candidates have strong practical knowledge because they work on actual projects, which they can later show to the clients.

Job Preparation

Our team of professionals never leaves the candidates’ side and gives them suggestions on everything from improving their resume to their LinkedIn profile and interview skills. Their one-to-one mentoring ensures you put your best foot forward and stand out to the clients.

Foot in the door

We have connections with hiring managers of the top companies. Our team connects the candidates with clients, ensuring you get direct access to opportunities. As you don’t have to go through the process of randomly applying to the jobs, the likelihood of getting ghosted is also less.

Conclusion

Client ghosting can be frustrating, but if it’s happening due to your qualifications and skills gap, you must take note of it. By improving your technical skills, you can stand out as a candidate. This will not only improve your chances of landing a job but also protect you from getting ghosted.

Since 2010, SynergisticIT has helped 1000’s of job seekers thrive in the tech industry. At SynergisticIT, we make candidates work on technologies and skills our clients’ demand.

Our unique approach goes beyond training, offering hands-on project experience. We also have a marketing team to promote your skills, so you don’t have to. Check out our candidate outcomes page to see the success stories.

We also participate in industry events like Oracle Java One and the Gartner Data and Analytics Summit, offering excellent opportunities for brand recognition during your job search. Be sure to watch our event videos for more insights.

Furthermore, we have a vast network of clients where we can introduce your resume. Since we have been in business since 2010, our brand name association increases your chances of being considered by potential employers. Please visit our Transform Your Future with SynergisticIT | Candidate Outcomes page to know how we have helped Tech Jobseekers and How we can Jumpstart your tech career!