Why do employers think it’s okay to ghost job applicants?
Businesses that complain it is hard to recruit the right staff should look at themselves too.
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Businesses should avoid leaving job applicants in the dark, waiting and checking for a reply that never comes, says the writer.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Robert Shrimsley
A really good question, and one I have thought about a lot as I watch the spawn and their friends struggle with the job market. Of all the things that seem awful about the current climate, one of the worst is the indifference which sees many, many employers not even bothering to tell applicants that they have not got through to the next round. Or, in extreme cases, even going silent on people who had made it to the later stages. Is it any wonder young hopefuls get demoralised?
How difficult is it to send the most basic reply? You know, the one- or two-line e-mail that says something like, “Thank you for applying for whatever it is. I’m sorry your application has not been successful. Good luck for the future.” The above is not a good reply, but it does at least meet the basic standard of civility and letting someone know they should not keep hoping this one might work out. They could always scrap the “good luck” part if it feels like they are making too much effort.
