*hello? anyone there?* The Unfortunate Trend of Ghosting

Recently, we've noticed a concerning trend among our Gen Z students and SHE WORKS applicants: a significant delay or lack of response to communication.

For instance, Hannah Jean-Pierre, LMSW , our SHE WORKS Program Manager, reached out to a student regarding their application, only to be met with silence. Similarly, when we organized a networking event and sent out confirmation emails, we encountered a surprisingly high number of no-shows. Even when I reached out to young women about a scholarship opportunity, responses were few and far between.

As a dedicated team, we've invested considerable time brainstorming ways to enhance our communication with students. We often text, meeting Gen Z where they’re at. However, our concerns were further validated when we received feedback from our employer partners expressing their frustration over delayed or nonexistent responses from their interns. In response, we redoubled our efforts to coach our students on the importance of timely and professional communication.

But then, came this headline:

*Ghosting is defined as when applicants stop communicating and responding to employers without any explanation.

The trend is happening with older generations, too. Indeed found that the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated ghosting, with around 40% of those surveyed admitting that they're more likely to ghost potential employers if they find a job offering better pay or a shorter commute.

Also, in 29% of cases, Gen Z candidates ghosted because the company simply took too long to get back to them. In other words, they’re ghosting because they’re fed up with the application process.

Look, I get it- pay is important, but professionalism is equally crucial. Remember, it's a small world, after all.

Christina Qi, CEO of Databento, vented on X, “One [candidate] no-showed after picking the time on my calendar. Look…this 1 meeting could affect your life.”

There can be consequences to ghosting, including being excluded from future consideration. 

So, here is some advice that is easy to do. 

1️⃣ When applying for jobs, be sure to supply an email that you frequently check.

2️⃣ Frequently check and respond to emails!

3️⃣ If you are no longer interested in a position or opportunity, let the company or sponsor know- as a courtesy. *For example, if it’s a limited-seat networking event, let them know so that some other student who needs that opportunity may attend.

Again, I get it, some hiring processes are outdated and slow. But rather than ghost, if you haven’t heard back on an application, try sending a follow-up email like this:

I understand that you likely receive numerous applications, and I appreciate the time and consideration you and your team devote to the hiring process. I remain enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name] and bring my skills and experience to the [Job Title] role. If there are any updates regarding the status of my application or if there are any additional materials or information I can provide, please let me know.

You never know how you might want to cross paths with a company or sponsor in the future.

And to employers/managers: 

Meet them where they’re at–

To prevent ghosting, prioritize transparency, openness, and responsiveness from the initial contact. Engage with Gen Z using text messages, as it aligns with their communication preferences for its speed and personal touch. Consider how hiring processes have developed to have minimal human interaction; with an average of 250 applicants per job, only 3-4 candidates are typically interviewed. This increasingly technology-oriented world can be isolating, so personalize your brand through text or social media outreach to appeal to Gen Z.

(29% of Gen Z job seekers say that social media platforms like TikTok or Youtube have been very helpful.)

Hope this resonates with you! Let me know, Sheri

Still glowing from Women's History Month! It was a full and rewarding month, with truly unforgettable events in partnership with Stone Point Capital Fran Hauser Hartford HealthCare Paradigm for Parity The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Christina Feeny Deirdre Stanley Kate Yee Morgan Smith .

I am inspired and hopeful about the change we can make together!