Why do some recruiters do this? Ghost candidates even though they were the ones who reached out first.

18 Comments

1. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanAugust 11,2026 at 7:01PM UTC

   Unfortunately, it is a numbers game. In most cases, employers are working with multiple recruiters, thus it becomes imperitive that recruiters match candidates and employers as quickly as possible. If a candidate doesn't respond quickly enough, the recruiter moves on. This may also be, in part, because the employer has already closed the position.

   Now, is it rude that the recruiter doesn't reach out and say, thank you for your time, yada, yada, yada? Yes. But also understandable, as the volumn of contacts many make in order to make one connection can be overwhelming.

2. AnonymousAugust 13,2026 at 9:24AM UTC

   Its a numbers game. Out of 30 candidates, only 3 will be a perfect match when stacked against each other. So even though you were terrific, they found 3 that were perfect and those 3 get submitted. They are then on to the next open position. They don't waste time being professional and saying sorry no thank you. They only spend time earning $.

3. AnonymousAugust 20,2026 at 2:05PM UTC

   OP: But I didn't even have the chance to speak with them. I'm sorry but from a candidate's perspective, its rude.

4. AnonymousAugust 14,2026 at 3:11PM UTC

   In the recruiting world, being ghosted is standard procedure.

   Regardless of how "qualified" for a role you might be, at least 50% of the time, you will lose contact with your recruiter or interviewer for reasons that have nothing to do with you.

   Not only that, recruiters and hiring managers will respond defensively when called out on the practice of ghosting candidates that they don't have time to respond to every candidate. They will pick a very small percentage of the people they are in contact with and maintain contact with them, while completely ignoring all the others. At best, they will let AI and email auto-responders reply to candidates' attempts to reach out themselves, and they delete voicemails without responding.

5. alex.wolf2August 15,2026 at 3:19PM UTC

   Some recruiters reach out enthusiastically and then disappear because priorities change, roles get paused, hiring managers change direction, or they simply contact far more candidates than they can realistically manage. It’s frustrating, but it usually says more about their process than about you. For more, visit https://cleobetras.de/

6. AnonymousAugust 20,2026 at 2:03PM UTC

   OP: I get it but do things change after one day? I tried to call and message back on Indeed. I was very interested in the job too.

7. AnonymousAugust 20,2026 at 2:03PM UTC

   OP: I get it but do things change after one day? I tried to call and message back on Indeed. I was very interested in the job too.

8. Megan LeasherAugust 17,2026 at 9:08AM UTC

   I agree with all of the comments shared, but I want to add that it totally sucks for the candidate. You just feel rejected, yet not worthy enough to be actually rejected (just ghosted). Hang in there. The right role will be coming you way.

9. OLIVIA JOHNSONAugust 18,2026 at 1:49PM UTC

   Hi there!

   Great question!

   And it's with a heavy heart that I confess to being one of the culprits at one point or another throughout my career!

   As a fellow Recruiter, I actually said to myself that I would NEVER do this...but I have. It's not professional, at all and nothing makes it acceptable, but please know that in most cases it's not intentional. It just happens. The volume, the demand and the continuous communications can be challenging to manage. We're not just handling one or two job postings here and there like it may be perceived but for some 50+, 100+ for global orgs.

   I will say that being out the Recruiting game for a spell, I would probably handle this differently now especially with all the technology/AI available than before my hay day in the field BUT hindsight 20/20 AND easy to say when not in certain environments.

   So, here's a little article I wrote on what I call "the Recruiter Brain" and though this is not the time that most job seekers want to understand the other side, I think it can still be helpful and lend some relief in the process of assessing so that you know that it may have absolutely nothing to do with you.

   I also recommend taking a look at the comments that followed.

   https://fairygodboss.com/community-discussion/lyACK4oq1/reasons-why-you-may-have

   Hope this is helpful,

   Coach Olivia

10. AnonymousAugust 20,2026 at 2:00PM UTC

    OP: Yes but if a candidate is trying to contact you more than once, especially after you reached out first the decent thing to do is to call them back.

11. Sana NelsonAugust 18,2026 at 3:25PM UTC

    This is such a frustrating experience, especially when a recruiter initiates contact, describes someone as a strong match, and then suddenly stops responding. Professional communication should work both ways, and candidates deserve a clear update even when circumstances change. Ghosting can leave people wondering whether they did something wrong when the issue may have nothing to do with their qualifications. Discussions on career communities like Fairygodboss can be valuable because they give job seekers a place to share experiences, compare perspectives, and realize they are not alone. Open conversations about recruiter communication can also encourage companies and agencies to improve transparency and respect candidates’ time.

12. AnonymousAugust 18,2026 at 3:34PM UTC

    OP: I've lost count at how many times recruiters ghosted me these past few years. There's no excuse for it.

13. AnonymousAugust 18,2026 at 3:35PM UTC

    OP: I was at my desk at work when she called me. There was no way I could pick up.

14. AnonymousAugust 25,2026 at 8:49PM UTC

    YES!! This literally happened to me in the past month with three recruiters. 7/29 one recruiter told me they wanted me to do a shadow shift for a job. I did it and the hiring nurse stated they wanted to hire me and to check in with my recruiter. That same recruiter transferred me to another recruiter because "this was not their direct hire" or something. 2nd recruiter for the next 4 weeks kept ghosting me when it was time for us to the discuss details of the job. Last week was my final straw, and mind you got the personal number of the hiring manager and was letting them know what was going on. This past Wednesday I did a phone interview with another hiring manager for same company. Went in person for second interview. They told me I was "overqualified for the position" and wanted me to apply for a management position. ANOTHER recruiter wanted to set up an interview for today at 330CST. Guess who got ghosted again?!!!! lol It's been about a month and a half and I need a job. Luckily, I picked up some part-time work but it's depressing to keep getting ghosted.

15. NONEAugust 26,2026 at 8:53PM UTC

    I would like a chance to see if I can get anyone placed. I have business executive, truck driving, skilled craft, and positions at multiple law firms available.

    Email me your resume (and I will contact you with positions for a tailored cover letter as well as your authorization to work in the U.S.A. questions) to Dr.Shevron.F.McBride@gmail.com.

16. Mitchell JeffAugust 29,2026 at 1:25PM UTC

    Recruiter ghosting can be especially frustrating when the recruiter was the one who contacted the candidate first. From a candidate’s perspective, it can feel confusing and disrespectful to receive an initial message, respond promptly, and then hear nothing afterward. There can be several reasons for this, including changes in hiring priorities, a position being paused, internal delays, or recruiters managing too many candidates at once. However, even when circumstances change, a short update would usually be much more professional than leaving someone without an answer. Clear communication helps protect the candidate’s time and maintains a positive impression of the company. Candidates also invest effort in preparing applications, responding to messages, and making themselves available for conversations. Overall, recruiters may have legitimate reasons for going silent, but consistent communication and transparency can make the hiring process more respectful and professional for everyone involved.

17. Mitchell JeffAugust 30,2026 at 12:15PM UTC

    I think one of the most frustrating parts of recruiting is when a recruiter reaches out first, shows genuine interest, and then suddenly disappears without any explanation. Candidates often spend time preparing for calls, researching the company, and responding thoughtfully, only to receive complete silence afterward. I understand that recruiters may become busy, priorities can change, or a position may be put on hold, but a short update would still make a huge difference. Ghosting can make candidates question whether they did something wrong when the reality may have nothing to do with them. Professional communication should work both ways. If recruiters expect candidates to respond promptly and respectfully, candidates deserve the same courtesy. Even a simple message saying the role is paused or they decided to move forward with someone else is far better than leaving someone waiting indefinitely.

18. Mitchell JeffAugust 30,2026 at 12:15PM UTC

    I think one of the most frustrating parts of recruiting is when a recruiter reaches out first, shows genuine interest, and then suddenly disappears without any explanation. Candidates often spend time preparing for calls, researching the company, and responding thoughtfully, only to receive complete silence afterward. I understand that recruiters may become busy, priorities can change, or a position may be put on hold, but a short update would still make a huge difference. Ghosting can make candidates question whether they did something wrong when the reality may have nothing to do with them. Professional communication should work both ways. If recruiters expect candidates to respond promptly and respectfully, candidates deserve the same courtesy. Even a simple message saying the role is paused or they decided to move forward with someone else is far better than leaving someone waiting indefinitely.