Ghosting: a supernatural term we started using regularly in 2015 or so, with specific reference to romantic relationships. Now firmly embedded in the culture, almost any situation we are uncomfortable with or want to escape from without explanation is one that has the potential to become a ghost – including a new job.
According to a recent survey of 1,000 US-based workers, 84% of job seekers ghosted an employer or potential employer at least once in the past 18 months. But why?
It turns out that there are several reasons why you might choose to cut ties with a company that has offered you a job. First-time job seekers are more likely to exhibit this behavior, according to another survey that found 31% of first-time job seekers said they ghosted an employer during their current search, compared to 12% of experienced professionals.
The current hot job market is also fueling the rise of candidate ghosting: 55% of job seekers say the current availability of job opportunities is the main reason they are more likely to ghost jobs. companies today than they were pre-pandemic. Those who cast a wide net in their job search are also more likely to exhibit ghosting behavior, with 47% of ghosters saying they applied to more than five jobs in the past month, compared to just 31% of those who did not apply. ghost
But would this be a good thing to do? Job seekers seem to have some concerns. Sixty-seven percent of people who would ghost an employer expressed concerns about the potential negative effects it could have.
Obviously no one should be forced to take a job that isn’t a good fit for them, and so communication is key. A friendly and polite email or call to let a hiring manager know you won’t be progressing is the way to defuse a situation you may have previously handled using radio silence. Everyone will know where they stand, and you may have another chance at the same company in the future – when the time is right.
If your job search is still ongoing, we take a look at the three companies below that are recruiting right now. You can also browse multiple jobs on the VentureBeat Job Board.
Service Today
Based in Santa Clara, California ServiceNow creates a SaaS-based cloud computing platform that helps companies manage digital workflows for enterprise operations. Its solutions help digitize and unite organizations to find smarter, faster, more efficient ways to make work flow. The company has offices across the US, Latin America, Europe and APAC and has an employee headcount of over 16,000. The company is recruiting now, in a wide range of roles including account executives, engineers, DevOps and more. Discover all open roles here.
Uber
Mobility as a service provider Uber is a platform where drivers and deliverers can connect with riders, diners, and restaurants. It also connects shippers and carriers in the freight industry. Based in San Francisco, as of 2021, the company operates in nearly 72 countries and 10,500 cities worldwide. The company is growing: Uber generated $17.4 billion in revenue in 2021, a 56% increase year-over-year and better than its numbers in 2019. As a result, it’s hiring. Today, there are a variety of roles on offer, including software engineering, machine learning jobs, data engineering and penetration testing. Find out more about Uber jobs.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides an on-demand cloud computing platform. One of the big three cloud providers, along with Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. AWS has huge adoption and offers more than 200 fully featured services from its data centers, located around the world. Millions of customers, including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies, use AWS. Revenues rose 33% in the second quarter of 2022, generating $19.74 billion in revenue during the period, indicating a good season for the service. It’s also on a hiring spree: roles on offer include solutions architects, cloud technical account managers, cloud infrastructure architects, and senior software developers. Learn more about all open AWS roles.
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