The Trust Gap: When Candidates Think Your Role Isn’t Real

Job seekers are increasingly wary of job ads that seem vague or too good to be true. A 2024 ResumeBuilder survey found that 68% of applicants suspect some roles are “ghost jobs” ads used to collect CVs rather than fill actual vacancies. When trust is lost early, candidates are more likely to vanish later.

Transparency in your job ads sets the tone for the entire hiring journey. Candidates want to know what stage the role is at, how soon they’ll hear back, and what to expect from the process. When that’s unclear, they tend to disengage, either assuming the role is closed or fearing they’re being strung along.

Clear, relevant job descriptions and personalised recruiter follow-ups build confidence. So does consistency: when a candidate hears one thing from HR and another from a hiring manager, it creates confusion that undermines commitment.

If you’re unsure whether your job ads are hitting the mark, Level Up can help refine them to reflect real opportunity and attract the right attention. A few strategic tweaks now could mean fewer silent exits later.