Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Have you ever interviewed for a job and followed up with the hiring manager by sending a thoughtful thank you note, but got no response? Unfortunately, the employer may have eaten it.
Getting ghosted by employers can be frustrating, but it’s important to use good judgment and keep looking for work.
The reasons for being ghosted may not be personal, and there are steps you can take to move forward from a job rejection – even if that rejection comes in the form of an employer’s silence.
To learn more about employer ghosting and other challenges job seekers face in the modern workplace, FlexJobs and MyPerfectResume (MPR) surveyed more than 2,000 professionals based in the United States between June 11 and June 23, 2024.
The Ghosting Candidate: Being Detected by Recruiters in the Job Search
State of the Search Report Work done by FlexJobs and MPR found that almost half (48%) of professionals have been ghosted by an employer during an interview.
And while 15% of professionals reported being ghosted by an employer at least once, 33% shared that they had been ghosted by employers more than once.
In addition to being ghosted by employers, the biggest challenge facing the majority (55%) of job seekers interviewed is ghosting – posting non-existent jobs or positions that have already been filled despite the job advertisement still being active.
Key Challenges Reported by Job Seekers
Other key challenges reported by job seekers in this survey include:
- Getting responses to requests: 49%
- To recognize and avoid job scams: 45%
- Finding jobs with qualifications: 44%
- Finding jobs with flexible schedules: 39%
- Knowing how to prepare resumes/applications for applicant tracking systems: 32%
- Finding jobs and companies you’re interested in: 31%
- Navigating lengthy interview processes: 24%
Top Reasons Job Seekers Are Ghost Employers
While 48% of respondents reported ghosting, only 10% of job seekers reported ghosting at least once during an interview. Most of the respondents (90%) said they have never raped an employer.
As a number of job seekers report ghosting employers, we looked at the reasons that might motivate them to do so.
We found that the top three reasons were disorganized or unprofessional hiring managers (67%), lack of communication (61%), and unclear remote work plans (60%), such as jobs advertised as remote, mixed jobs or office. activities.
Other Factors That Make Job Seekers Hiring Employers
Additional factors that can cause job seekers to resent the employer or drop out of the interview process include:
- Bad company culture: 53%
- Work does not match personal values: 45%
- Bad company reviews or reputation: 43%
- Negative employee benefits or compensation: 43%
- Unpaid work during the interview: 30%
- Recent company layoffs: 25%
What Job Seekers Look For When Examining Jobs
Researching employers and job opportunities is an important part of a successful job search.
In order to find a solid job suitability, it is important to determine the market value of the job you are pursuing to make sure it will meet your financial needs, carefully read the job descriptions to identify the important aspects of the role (from tasks to the desired performance results) , and do a thorough research of the employer.
It is also important to consider your personal needs when looking for a job. For example, if you are a working parent responsible for school pick-up and drop-off, you may benefit from a flexible work schedule.
Or, if you are transitioning and thriving in a work-from-home environment, you may be better off looking for a fully remote job versus a hybrid remote job that requires some time in the office.
The key is to keep your personal and professional needs in check while searching for a job that suits you.
Top Factors Attracting Job Seekers
In the Job Search Report, we found that the top factors that attract job seekers when checking employers and job postings include:
- Having a remote job: 87%
- Salary: 76%
- Having a flexible schedule: 72%
- Key function: 62%
- Work life parameters: 60%
- Having a good boss: 59%
- A healthy company culture: 56%
- Amount of paid vacation time and sick time: 48%
High Application Closure for Job Seekers
Just as evaluating what you want in a job and employer is important to long-term job satisfaction, so is considering what you don’t want.
If you come across a job posting that perfectly matches your experience, skills, and professional development plan, that’s great! However, it is important to assess the company culture to ensure that the workplace is a good fit as well.
Although you should do a thorough research of the company before applying for a job, the fact of the matter is that some culture indicators come up during the application process. You may have considered the company as the right culture only to encounter red flags in the hiring process that make you rethink your initial assessment.
For example, if you ask the interviewer thoughtful questions but get vague answers in response, it may indicate a lack of organization or unclear job expectations. And if you thrive on structure and clarity, the role and culture may not be a good fit.
If any part of the company’s culture or workplace gives you pause during the application process, listen to your instincts and carefully examine what’s turning you off.
By identifying what you don’t want in an employer early in the hiring process, you’ll be better able to determine whether the job and company match your needs and values — and move on to another opportunity if they don’t.
The Biggest ‘Turn Off’ for Job Seekers
In our research, the following factors were ranked as some of the biggest “turn-offs” among job seekers when evaluating employers and job postings:
- Being asked to complete a long task: 49%
- Does not provide enough information about job duties: 40%
- You must complete an asynchronous or one-way video interview: 32%
- Cover letter required: 29%
- To request a reference in advance: 24%
Notably, 69% of respondents also shared that they did not feel that complaint letters should be part of the application process, while 31% felt that complaint letters should be included.
In addition, 49% of respondents indicated that they would use online resume builders and templates to help with resume writing, adding that they would also seek additional support in this way:
- Continue writing articles or resources: 42%
- Professional rewriting services or consultants: 38%
- Family members and friends: 34%
- Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT: 32%
- Resume writing workshops: 23%
- Career coaches: 20%
Education Requirements Create Barriers for Job Seekers
Another common challenge for job seekers in the modern job market is the educational requirements for job postings – that is, a bachelor’s degree.
Despite skills-based hiring and other hiring methods, more than a quarter (27%) of job seekers reported that they “occasionally come across” jobs they are qualified for but do not meet the educational requirements.
Another 25% of respondents said they encounter this educational barrier “often,” drawing attention to the increasing number of job postings with educational requirements that may not accurately reflect job requirements.
Consistent with this, 69% of survey respondents noted that removing college degree requirements from job postings would improve their job prospects. In fact, 44% of survey takers noted that this would improve their job prospects “a lot,” while 25% said it would improve their chances “a little” and 31% felt it would have no effect on their chances of getting a job. .
The good news is that there are remote jobs with no degree requirements available, including high-paying opportunities, so you can find the remote job you’re looking for even without a college education.
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