Could Your Hiring Process Be Causing Ghosting? Here’s What to Fix

Long interviews. Delayed feedback. Shifting goalposts. While internal hiring challenges are real, the fallout is often external with top candidates quietly slipping away. According to SHRM, the average time-to-hire is over 30 days, but most job seekers expect a decision in under two weeks. That disconnect can cost you your best talent.

It’s not just about speed, either. Inconsistent communication or a lack of clear ownership can frustrate candidates, leaving them unsure of who to follow up with or what’s expected next. And when those frustrations mount, ghosting starts to feel like a logical out.

Many of our clients come to us after experiencing repeated disengagement mid-process. Often, the fix isn’t radical it’s about streamlining steps, keeping candidates in the loop, and aligning internal stakeholders. For instance, introducing interview SLAs or templated updates can dramatically reduce the silence that breeds ghosting.

If you’re curious about how your process measures up, Level Up Recruitment offers a hiring flow review to help you pinpoint bottlenecks and speed up your time-to-decision without compromising on quality.