In the early days of the pandemic recovery, candidate ghosting became a frustrating norm for employers. Interviews skipped. Offers ignored. First days… never arrived.
While many thought this was a temporary, “Great Resignation”-era issue, recent data suggests otherwise: candidate ghosting is resurging—but this time, it’s more complicated.
According to Indeed’s 2024 Hiring Lab, 28% of employers reported a rise in interview no-shows since Q4 2023, and nearly 1 in 5 offer declines came after verbal acceptance.¹ Why?
Here’s what’s really happening:
1. **Candidate confidence is back**
The June 2025 U.S. unemployment rate held at 4.0%,² and top candidates—especially in IT, healthcare, and skilled trades—report fielding multiple offers simultaneously.
2. **Speed kills (slow hiring)**
According to SHRM, the average time-to-fill has now stretched beyond 44 days in several industries.³ Candidates are moving faster than companies.
3. **Communication gaps**
Candidates cite lack of feedback and unresponsive processes as key drivers of disengagement—not poor etiquette.
At Congruence Talent Solutions, we see this play out every week. The companies who win top talent don’t just vet—they engage, respond fast, and follow through. Ghosting is a symptom of a hiring strategy that hasn’t adapted to today’s pace.
**Tip for hiring managers**: If a top candidate disappears, take a hard look at your process speed, communication touchpoints, and offer timing. If you’re not closing the loop quickly, someone else is.
Sources
- Indeed Hiring Lab, U.S. Employer Outlook, Q2 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2025 Employment Situation Report
- SHRM Talent Acquisition Benchmarking Report, 2025 Edition