Candidate Ghosting: GhostBusting
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Reducing Candidate Ghosting with SMS: How Keeyora Helps Keep Talent Engaged
TLDR:
Candidate ghosting isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a drain on time, money, and morale. Missed interviews, declined offers without notice, and new hires who never show up are becoming more common across every industry. Traditional communication methods like email and voicemail simply don’t fit the way today’s workforce prefers to communicate.
That’s where SMS comes in. Platforms like Keeyora combine automation with a human touch to keep candidates informed, connected, and engaged at every step of the process. The result is faster communication, stronger relationships, and fewer ghost stories in your hiring funnel.
The Problem: Candidate Ghosting Hurts at Every Stage
Ghosting can strike anywhere in the hiring process. Some candidates forget or double-book interviews and never show up. Others accept offers and then disappear before signing paperwork. Sometimes, new hires even back out between offer acceptance and their first day on the job.
The cause usually comes down to poor communication, slow timelines, or a lack of engagement. Candidates today want clarity and convenience, not long waits or uncertainty. When they feel disconnected, they move on to the next opportunity without warning.
The Impact: The Pain is Real
The consequences of ghosting ripple through an organization. Hiring managers begin to lose trust in their talent acquisition teams. Frustration builds as everyone starts pointing fingers. The financial impact is real too. Delays in hiring can slow down projects, increase reliance on temporary staff or recruitment agencies, and drive up job board spending.
Understaffing only adds more pressure. When teams are stretched too thin, burnout rises, performance dips, and turnover increases. The cycle continues, making it even harder to fill roles and maintain morale.
The Solution: Using SMS to Reconnect with Candidates
Texting helps bridge the communication gap that fuels ghosting. When done right, it creates a more direct, human connection that keeps candidates in the loop and engaged throughout the hiring journey. Thus, dramatically reducing no shows and miscommunications in all stages of the candidate process.
1. Automated Interview Reminders
- Personalized text sequences reduce no-shows with gentle nudges
- Candidates receive: a confirmation, a reminder the day before, and a morning-of reminder
2. Onboarding Reminders
- Keep new hires warm with messages between offer acceptance and start date
- Remind them of forms, logistics, or orientation details to reduce anxiety and dropout
3. 2-Way Quick Check-Ins, Anytime
- Texting is simple and informal, making it easy to maintain connection
- Recruiters can send a quick pulse check without overwhelming candidates’ inboxes
- Candidates can do the same, building trust both ways
4. Faster Response Times
- Texts are opened within minutes; emails often sit unread or lost in junk mail
- Real-time communication keeps the hiring process moving
5. Zero Barriers to Entry
- No apps, downloads, or friction
- Candidates engage on the device they use most: their phone
Best Practices to Reduce Ghosting
Technology alone won’t solve ghosting. The best results come when recruiters pair texting with thoughtful, consistent communication habits.
- Set Clear Expectations: Share process steps and timelines upfront
- Keep the Process Moving: Delays kill momentum; use SMS to shorten gaps
- Cut Bait Quickly: Don’t “keep candidates warm.” Decide and communicate
- Make it Human: Personalized texts show respect and build trust
- No news is news: Regular updates, even short ones, reduce uncertainty
Ghosting won’t vanish overnight, but it can be managed with the right mix of speed, consistency, and empathy. SMS is one of the most effective tools for keeping candidates connected and informed. With Keeyora, recruiters can minimize ghosting, protect valuable hiring time, and create a more human candidate experience.
