Ghosting is a term typically associated with dating and personal relationships and is becoming more prevalent in the healthcare industry as well. But what exactly is it and why is it a problem for you?
Ghosting in healthcare recruiting refers to when a healthcare professional who has been in communication with a staffing agency or recruiter stops responding to calls, emails, or messages, and disappears from the recruiting process without warning. This can happen at any stage of the recruiting process, from initial communication to after an offer has been made.
For recruiters, ghosting is extremely frustrating and can be costly. Recruiters invest a lot of time and resources into finding and vetting qualified candidates and ghosting can lead to wasted effort and a delay in filling open positions. It can also harm Cariant’s reputation with our clients.
On the other hand, for healthcare professionals, ghosting can damage their reputation and hinder future job opportunities. Many recruiters have ongoing relationships with healthcare facilities and if a candidate has a reputation for being unreliable, they may be less likely to be considered for future job opportunities.
There is no good reason to ghost a healthcare recruiter, even if a candidate is no longer interested in a job or has received a better offer from another facility. Clear and honest communication is key in any professional relationship, and this is particularly true when it comes to recruiting.
If a candidate is unsure of how to decline an offer or has any concerns about the recruiting process, it’s always best to reach out to the recruiter and have an open and honest conversation. This not only allows the recruiter to understand the candidate’s perspective, but it also allows them to close out the recruiting process in a professional and respectful manner.
Ghosting is a bad practice that can have negative consequences for both healthcare recruiters and professionals. It’s important for healthcare professionals to understand that recruiters can help them access many jobs that are not available through traditional channels and can also provide guidance and advice on interviewing and negotiation process. Ghosting can go both ways and we hear about recruiters ghosting healthcare professionals, too. It is important to us Cariant that we keep the lines from communication open with our travelers from the first conversation to the last. Clear and honest communication is key to maintaining professional relationships and avoiding negative impacts in both the short and long term.