According to iHire’s latest survey, 48.7% of job seekers say being ghosted by an employer during the hiring process negatively affects their opinion of that company. This suggests that when recruiters and hiring managers are unresponsive or uncommunicative to candidates, they risk eroding trust, discouraging future applications, and hurting their organization’s employer brand.
While 48.7% of the 513 respondents said employer ghosting would negatively influence their opinion of a company, 36.3% said it would not have an effect, and 15.0% were unsure of its impact.
“A poor candidate experience can leave a lasting negative impression that extends well beyond the hiring process, impacting how job seekers perceive a company’s brand, reputation, and even its products and services,” said Steve Flook, President and CEO of iHire. “Ghosting sends the message that candidates’ time and effort aren’t valued, potentially damaging an employer’s reputation and discouraging qualified talent from pursuing future opportunities.”
Why Candidates Ghost Employers
iHire’s survey also explored the circumstances that might cause applicants to ghost employers. When asked what would cause them to stop responding to a recruiter or hiring manager, job seekers cited a variety of reasons, including:
- Suspecting the job or employer was fraudulent (14.5%): Concerns about job scams and employer legitimacy was the most frequently cited reason for cutting off communication.
- Accepting another job (12.9%): Candidates who secure another opportunity may disengage without notifying the employer.
- Slow responses or poor communication from the employer (12.1%): Lack of timely, clear communication can cause candidates to reciprocate the silence.
- Low or unclear salary or compensation (10.3%): Compensation concerns may lead applicants to abandon conversations with prospective employers.
- Discovering concerning information about the employer (8.7%): Negative employee reviews, unfavorable news coverage, or other red flags can discourage candidates from continuing the process.
- A hiring process that takes too long (8.1%): Lengthy recruitment timelines may cause applicants to disengage before a hiring decision is made.
- Losing interest in the position (7.3%): Some candidates simply decide the opportunity is no longer a fit.
- Feeling uncomfortable telling the employer they are no longer interested (2.2%): Avoiding an awkward conversation can also contribute to candidate ghosting.
Notably, 19.3% of respondents said none of the listed circumstances would cause them to ghost an employer and that they would always communicate if they were no longer interested in a position.
Ghosting Remains a Top Challenge for Both Employers and Job Seekers
These findings underscore the insights in iHire’s 2026 State of Online Recruiting Report, which revealed that ghosting is a persistent challenge on both sides of the hiring equation:
- More than half of employers (51.6%) cited ghosting or unresponsive candidates as one of their biggest online recruiting challenges.
- Meanwhile, 57.5% of job seekers said applying for jobs and never hearing back from employers was one of their greatest frustrations – making it the top job search challenge for the third consecutive year.
- Moreover, 51.1% of job seekers expect employer ghosting to affect their job search or career growth in the coming year, suggesting the problem is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
“Ghosting is a two-way street, as employers and job seekers are both contributing to this ongoing problem,” Flook continued. “Employers need to communicate clearly, be transparent, and respect candidates’ time. Likewise, job seekers should keep employers informed if they accept another offer or lose interest in a position. Courtesy and communication from each side can go a long way toward building more meaningful connections.”
Visit iHire’s Employer Resource Center for a deeper dive into these survey findings and access the full 2026 State of Online Recruiting Report for more hiring trends.
Research Methodology
iHire polled active job seeker users on its platform from 57 industries across the U.S. in September and October 2026. 513 people responded to the survey. Percentages are rounded to the nearest tenth.