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The Chronicles of Ghosted Recruiters: When Candidates Vanish Like Ninjas

Ah, ghosting—every recruiter’s favorite horror story. You find the perfect candidate, schedule interviews, and everything seems to be going smoothly. Then poof! They vanish into thin air, leaving you staring at an empty calendar invite, questioning your life choices.

But not all ghosts are the same. Some are silent, some are sneaky, and some wait until the very last moment to drop their disappearing act. Let’s break it down.

Meet the Ghosting Hall of Fame

👻 The Silent Specter

This one goes completely radio silent. You follow up, send polite reminders, and even throw in a “Hope you’re doing well!”—but all you get is the sound of tumbleweeds rolling through your inbox.

🎭 The Serial Ghoster

This candidate ghosts you once, returns a month later with a “Hey, is this role still open?” then disappears again after showing interest. Rinse and repeat. They probably enjoy living on the edge.

🏃‍♂️ The Last-Minute Houdini

The most painful of all. Everything is set—the offer is rolled out, start date confirmed, and you’re mentally planning their welcome email. Then, the night before joining, they message: “Sorry, I’ve decided to go in a different direction.” Ouch.

🤡 The Excuse Magician

Unlike the Silent Specter, this one will reply, but only with elaborate excuses. Some classics include:

  • “I got stuck in traffic… for five days.”
  • “I was in the hospital.” (But they just updated their LinkedIn about a new job.)
  • “I got abducted by aliens.” (Okay, not yet, but we’re waiting.)

How to Summon the Ghosted Souls Back (Maybe)

Recruiters can’t perform seances (yet), but we can try these:

✔️ Switch up communication methods: If emails fail, try WhatsApp, LinkedIn, or a good old-fashioned call. (Not a text—let’s not make ghosting too easy.)

✔️ Personalize follow-ups: “Hey [Name], I hope everything’s okay. If there’s been a change, just let me know. No hard feelings!” (Well, some feelings, but we won’t show them.)

✔️ Create FOMO: “We’re closing out this role soon, and I’d love for you to be a part of it.” The fear of missing out works wonders.

✔️ The Reverse Ghost Move™: If they keep ghosting, stop chasing. Sometimes, the silence makes them curious enough to return. (Like that one ex who texts after you finally move on.)

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Ghosting Life

Ghosting is frustrating, but it’s part of the recruitment world. Just remember—today’s ghoster might be tomorrow’s desperate job seeker. So, stay professional, keep receipts, and if all else fails… well, at least you’ve got a fun ghost story to tell.


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