Gen Z job candidates ghosting hiring managers amid need for transparency, speed
Hiring managers in the United States have become more cautious about hiring Gen Z job candidates after more than half said they have been "ghosted" by these applicants, according to a new survey.
The poll from Resume.org revealed that 54% of hiring managers have been ghosted by a Gen Z candidate after extending an offer. More than a quarter said ghosting played out in different ways for them, such as:
Others said ghosting also happened even before the offer was made. These instances include candidates no longer replying after initial outreach (41%) or after the interview (38%).
Ghosting is a practice observed by job candidates and employers. For hiring managers, ghosting can happen when communication falls "by the wayside" because of overstretched teams, unclear processes, or reactive hiring strategies.
It can also happen when roles are quietly paused, priorities shift, or internal decisions delay the process.
Previous Indeed findings in Australia showed that 88% of applicants there have been ghosted after applying for a role, resulting in frustration among job candidates and a potential hit on employers' reputations.
Kara Dennison, Resume.org's Head of Career Advising, said Gen Z ghosting employers is the result of a "hiring system that has lost their trust."
"This generation values transparency, speed, and authenticity," Dennison said in a statement. "When companies drag out timelines or misrepresent their culture, Gen Z candidates disengage or ghost entirely. Especially after watching older generations endure layoffs, instability, and toxic work environments."
Resume.org's poll said ghosting by Gen Z candidates has led to seven per cent of hiring managers no longer considering them for roles.
More than a third of the respondents even said they now favour older job candidates (34%) and have decreased trust in Gen Z candidates (47%).
Dennison, however, warned that giving up on Gen Z candidates is a "risky move."
"They are the future of the workforce. Writing off an entire generation not only shrinks the talent pool, but it risks age bias and long-term talent gaps," she said.
According to the report, hiring managers need to look for clear signs of engagement and follow-through from candidates to ensure their reliability. These signs include:
Dennison said ghosting reflects a deeper issue in hiring culture that will need reassessment.
"To reduce ghosting, companies need to reevaluate outdated processes, such as slow timelines, poor communication, or unclear expectations," she said.
"Gen Z is more likely to commit when they experience authenticity, speed, and mutual respect. Instead of resisting change, organisations should adapt and use this opportunity to build lasting loyalty."
