Every recruiter knows the frustrating feeling: The initial contact went well, you made an effort to send a personal message – and suddenly the talent disappears completely from the scene. No more feedback, no rejection, nothing. Welcome to the annoying world of ghosting! But what is the reason for this, and more importantly, how can you retain candidates for the long term and effectively prevent ghosting?

What is ghosting and why does it happen? 👻

Ghosting describes the sudden and silent disappearance of a contact. In recruiting, this affects not only applicants, but increasingly recruiters as well. There are many reasons for this:

• Candidates do not feel sufficiently valued or informed.

• The application process takes too long or is not transparent.

• There is a lack of personal contact or genuine interest.

• There are simply too many alternatives and competing offers.

Why ghosting is a serious problem for your recruiting

Ghosting costs companies valuable time, resources and, above all, nerves. But much worse is the long-term damage to your employer branding. Candidates who are ghosted or who ghost others often share their negative experiences publicly or within their own networks. Your reputation as an employer suffers massively – and the best talent goes straight to the competition.

How to avoid ghosting effectively – 5 simple but effective strategies

1. Personal communication – show genuine interest

Standard emails come across as impersonal and are more likely to be ignored. It is better to communicate personally and individually – candidates will immediately notice whether you are genuinely interested.

Practical tip

‘Hi Anna, I was impressed by your profile – especially your last project at XY. Let's have a chat on the phone!’

2. Transparency and clarity in the application process

Candidates often ghost because they don't know where they stand. Clear information, regular updates and transparency prevent misunderstandings and strengthen the relationship.

Practical tip

Actively communicate how long each step will take and what will happen next.

3. Short, clear and fast feedback cycles

Long waiting times cause candidates to lose interest. Quick responses and direct feedback show respect and effectively prevent ghosting.

Practical tip

Respond within 48 hours of an interview or application at the latest.

4. Use automated follow-ups – personal and smart

Automated follow-ups that still feel personal help you maintain contact. AI-based tools such as aurio make this process simple, fast and effective.

Practical tip

‘Hi Marie, just wanted to check in – do you have any questions about our last conversation?’

5. Maintain long-term relationships – use your talent pool

Stay in touch, even if it's not the right fit at the moment. A well-maintained talent pool offers the perfect opportunity to retain candidates in the long term.

Practical tip:

Send occasional updates, interesting articles or invitations to events.

What you should definitely avoid – ghosting pitfalls:

• Impersonal communication: Standard messages feel like spam – avoid them at all costs.

• Excessive waiting times: Candidates require prompt feedback.

• Lack of transparency: Leaving candidates in the dark increases the risk of ghosting.

• Ignoring candidate feedback: Take feedback seriously, follow up and learn.

How aurio helps to effectively prevent ghosting

aurio makes it easy to contact candidates in a more personal, faster and more targeted way. AI-generated video messages and automated follow-ups significantly increase the interaction rate and reduce ghosting considerably. This gives recruiters more time to cultivate genuine relationships – and retain talent for the long term.

Conclusion: Ghosting is not inevitable – it can be avoided

Treating candidates with respect, transparency and personalisation greatly reduces ghosting. A well-structured process, regular communication and intelligent AI tools help you win over talent for the long term.

Want to leave ghosting behind for good and retain candidates for the long term?

👉 Schedule a free demo now and revolutionise your recruiting!