{"id":30509,"date":"2023-02-14T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T16:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/?p=30509"},"modified":"2023-05-03T07:08:29","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T14:08:29","slug":"candidate-experience-ghosted-by-developers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/blog\/hiring-developers\/candidate-experience-ghosted-by-developers\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why Developers Are Ghosting You &amp; How to Avoid It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something spooky is going on in the tech recruiting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recruitment, \u201cghosting\u201d is when a candidate, quite suddenly, disappears into thin air (like a ghost!). At some point in the recruitment process, they decide to end all communication for no apparent reason. They don\u2019t call, they don\u2019t email, they don\u2019t text \u2013 they just evaporate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the job market changes and the power balance shifts between candidates and recruiters, \u201cghost candidate\u201d appearances are becoming more common. This is especially true in tech recruiting, where the tech talent shortage is giving developers the upper hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>Oh, by the way, we\u2019ve put&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/blog\/hiring-developers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">all of our articles and resources on how to find and hire developers here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\"><nav aria-label=\"Table of Contents\"><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-are-tech-candidates-ghosting-you\">Why are tech candidates ghosting you?<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#theyre-confident-in-their-ability-to-find-a-new-job\">They\u2019re confident in their ability to find a new job<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#theyre-giving-recruiters-a-taste-of-their-own-medicine\">They\u2019re giving recruiters a taste of their own medicine<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#they-simply-want-to-avoid-conflict-or-unease\">They simply want to avoid conflict or unease<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#they-have-multiple-offers-and-little-time\">They have multiple offers and little time<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#they-have-some-sort-of-emergency\">They have some sort of emergency<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-can-you-avoid-being-ghosted\">How can you avoid being ghosted?<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#be-transparent-about-your-recruitment-process\">Be transparent about your recruitment process<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#communicate-with-candidates\">Communicate with candidates<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#look-out-for-ghost-signals\">Look out for ghost signals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#analyze-where-youre-going-wrong\">Analyze where you\u2019re going wrong<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#leverage-your-employer-brand\">Leverage your employer brand<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#be-honest-in-your-job-descriptions\">Be honest in your job descriptions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#get-good-at-interviews\">Get good at interviews<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-are-tech-candidates-ghosting-you\">Why are tech candidates ghosting you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"theyre-confident-in-their-ability-to-find-a-new-job\">They\u2019re confident in their ability to find a new job<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ghosting is frustrating and expensive for recruiters. However, the desperate need for developers (in 2021, according to Cyberstates, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberstates.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3.6 million tech job <\/a>openings were posted in the US) means that candidates aren\u2019t too worried about annoying hiring organizations \u2013 they know they\u2019ll find work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, developers aren&#8217;t afraid to move around or find themselves between gigs. According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/codingame-and-coderpad-tech-hiring-survey-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our 2023 survey<\/a>, 1 in 2 developers are thinking about quitting their job within the next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"theyre-giving-recruiters-a-taste-of-their-own-medicine\">They\u2019re giving recruiters a taste of their own medicine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Candidates ghosting recruiters is a relatively new phenomenon. Recruiters ghosting candidates, however, has been all too common in the past. Now that they have the upper hand, candidates who have been ignored, cut off or cold shouldered may be tempted to do the same to hiring companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"they-simply-want-to-avoid-conflict-or-unease\">They simply want to avoid conflict or unease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of candidates simply fear the awkwardness and tension of turning down a job. They decide it\u2019s easier (for everyone) if they just disappear. The job might not be the right fit for them, and they think that silence is the best (or at least the easiest) way for them to decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"they-have-multiple-offers-and-little-time\">They have multiple offers and little time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>*<em>Now this might sting a little.<\/em>*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, talented developers will have received multiple job offers \u2013 and yours might not be the one they go for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yep, developers are in high demand.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dev.to\/whokilledkevin\/how-i-created-a-bot-that-talked-to-recruiters-for-me-54n5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One front end developer<\/a>&nbsp;received so many messages from recruiters that he decided to create a bot to filter through the messages for him! You can imagine that these high-profile programmers (especially those that aren\u2019t actively looking for a job) are very busy and might be prone to a spot of ghosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"they-have-some-sort-of-emergency\">They have some sort of emergency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ok, for all you goodwill-having, benefit-of-the-doubt-giving, in-humanity-believing recruiters out there \u2013 yes, sometimes it\u2019s just an honest emergency. Something might have come up (a family emergency, an accident, an illness, a broken phone\/computer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-you-avoid-being-ghosted\">How can you avoid being ghosted?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So how can you avoid being ghosted by developers? There\u2019s no spell or magic potion to chase ghosts away for good. However, improving your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/blog\/tech-recruiting\/improve-developers-candidate-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">candidate experience<\/a>\u00a0and thus\u00a0candidate engagement\u00a0will help keep ghosts at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/d2h1bfu6zrdxog.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/locked.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/locked.jpg 640w, https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/locked-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/locked-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How can you keep candidates from shutting you out?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"be-transparent-about-your-recruitment-process\">Be transparent about your recruitment process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Transparent like a ghost<\/em>? \ud83d\udc7b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clearly document your recruitment process and lay it out for candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reassure candidates by explaining the different stages of your recruitment process: a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/platform\/technical-screening\/\">technical test<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/features\/live-collaborative-coding\/\">coding interview<\/a>, a meeting with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/blog\/why-a-collaborative-hiring-process-is-the-way-forward-in-tech-recruiting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the tech team<\/a>, etc. Candidates who know what\u2019s coming are less likely to panic, worry, lose interest or disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"communicate-with-candidates\">Communicate with candidates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>No screeching, howling, shrieking \u2013 or ghosting<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we\u2019ve just mentioned, candidates like to know what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201c81% of job seekers say employers continuously communicating status updates to them would greatly improve the overall experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2013 CareerBuilder<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s pretty straightforward: if you don\u2019t want to be ghosted, don\u2019t go ghosting candidates. Acknowledge candidates\u2019 messages or coding test submissions, make sure you\u2019re available to answer any questions they might have. The lack of response from employers is what candidates find the most frustrating (cited by 52% of job seekers&nbsp;according&nbsp;to&nbsp;CareerBuilder\u2019s Candidate Experience Guide) about the hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Silence is anxiety-inducing for candidates, especially when they know their skills are being judged. Keep communicating \u2013 and from a personal email address. A generic email address (recruitment@company.com) sends out a chilling vibe and won\u2019t help your customer engagement one bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"look-out-for-ghost-signals\">Look out for ghost signals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Flickering lights, creaking doors, that kind of thing!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is your tech candidate starting to take longer to answer emails? Has the tone changed? Are they beating around the bush? Are your calls going unanswered?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being prepared and keeping your eyes peeled for ghost signals can save you time and frustration. Set up a (reasonable) process for dealing with disappearances. For example, after three unanswered emails, maybe it\u2019s time to cut your losses and inform your candidate that you\u2019ll be moving on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CEB (formerly Corporate Executive Board) estimates the average cost of a tech position vacancy at 500$ per day \u2013 you can\u2019t afford to dwell on the ghosts of recruiting past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"analyze-where-youre-going-wrong\">Analyze where you\u2019re going wrong<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Measuring and analyzing your candidate experience and candidate engagement is the first step to improvement. Ask for feedback, track what\u2019s being said on social media and forums, identify at which stage of your process you\u2019re losing candidates \u2013 and make the necessary changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"leverage-your-employer-brand\">Leverage your employer brand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your employer brand is everything that influences how past, present or future recruits feel about your company as a place to work. Pay attention to your candidates\u2019 interactions with your company employer brand. Make sure they feel confident about working with you. Understand&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/blog\/how-to-create-the-startup-environment-that-developers-love\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">what\u2019s really important to developers<\/a>&nbsp;at work and shine light on your company tech culture and organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/blog\/10-hr-tech-trends-you-need-to-know-for-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">68% of developers<\/a>&nbsp;say that learning new things is the most important part of a job. If you offer professional development programs or training possibilities, say so. If you organize internal events or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/solutions\/events-hackathons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hackathons<\/a>&nbsp;where your tech teams can stretch their coding muscles and learn new things, shout it from the rooftops!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Programmers that see you as an authentic, inspiring, tech-friendly employer are less likely to think you deserve the ghost treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"be-honest-in-your-job-descriptions\">Be honest in your job descriptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cWhilst 72% of hiring managers say they provide clear job descriptions, only 36% of candidates agree.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2013 Hubspot<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to publish honest, clear, to-the-point job descriptions. Candidates that have shown interest in your company after reading your job description, only to realize that there are discrepancies between what you promised and what the job truly entails, will quickly vanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be up front about the languages they\u2019ll use day in, day out, whether they\u2019ll work on open source or proprietary software projects, or how they\u2019ll fit into your existing tech team, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-good-at-interviews\">Get good at interviews<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201c83% of talent say a negative interview experience can change their mind about a role or a company.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2013 Indeed Research<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The interview is an essential part of your hiring process. If you realize that the majority of ghosts appear (or, in this case, disappear) after their interview \u2013 then you know you\u2019ve got to rethink what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A number of things will discourage developers interviewing for a tech position. Whiteboard interviews to test coding skills, for example, are largely criticized by the tech community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cBy asking a programmer to carry out a whiteboard coding exercise you are taking away the tools and processes they use \u2018day to day\u2019 for their job. Without this context you are not going to test their aptitude at their job but their aptitude at writing code on a whiteboard!\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/profile\/Damien-Filiatrault\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Damien Filiatrault<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.codingame.com\/work\/blog\/top-10-interview-questions-for-developers-to-help-you-find-the-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interview questions<\/a>&nbsp;and really get to know the person in front of you. A solid relationship from the get-go will give you a better chance of side-stepping ghosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One last thing \u2013 we have a confession to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to pay close attention to your tech recruitment process and your candidate experience. However, there is no sure way to avoid ghosting. It\u2019s happened to us too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just over a year ago, we met a candidate for a DevOps position. We exchanged numerous emails, the candidate passed a technical test, came in for two interviews, had lunch with our team. We discussed contract details and made a formal offer. The candidate accepted our offer and then \u2013 we got ghosted! Nothing, nada, rien. Gone! Our emails, texts and called went unanswered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We won\u2019t lie, it hurt a little. What about you, have you ever been ghosted?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the top 5 reasons why developers may ghost you and learn practical tips to avoid it. Stay ahead in the game by understanding the key challenges faced by developers and take proactive measures to build long-lasting relationships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":30510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"persona":[28],"blog-programming-language":[],"keyword-cluster":[],"class_list":["post-30509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hiring-developers"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30509"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31411,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30509\/revisions\/31411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30509"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=30509"},{"taxonomy":"blog-programming-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-programming-language?post=30509"},{"taxonomy":"keyword-cluster","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coderpad.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/keyword-cluster?post=30509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}