“Why Haven’t I Heard From You?”: When Silence Says Too Much In Recruiting

Today’s environment has brought to mind a popular song from the ’90s, Reba McEntire’s “Why Haven’t I Heard from You?”; It’s catchy, a little sassy, and a super fun song, but when that lyric starts to feel like your actual job search experience or your company’s hiring journey… it’s a lot less fun. Unfortunately, for many candidates and clients, it’s a little too relatable.

The truth is, ghosting in the recruiting world has become far too common. Candidates go through the effort of applying, maybe even interviewing, only to be met with silence. Clients engage with agencies to fill a critical role and then are left wondering what’s going on behind the scenes. In both cases, the lack of communication isn’t just frustrating, it’s damaging. It leaves people questioning their value, their time, and whether they’ve been forgotten entirely.

In our business, we believe communication isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s the job. Keeping people updated should be the bare minimum. Whether it’s a candidate waiting to hear if they’re moving forward, or a client wondering how the search is progressing, consistent, honest updates make all the difference. Even a simple, “We don’t have an answer yet, but here’s what we know,” can go a long way in building trust and credibility.

Candidates deserve closure, not confusion. No one should be left questioning whether their resume was even looked at or if a role silently closed. And clients deserve visibility. If you’re investing in a recruiting partner, you should feel looped in, not left in the dark.

We’re committed to working hard to ensure a positive client and candidate experience. Communication is at the heart of every good relationship. When you find the right recruiting firm to work with, they’ll take care of you. If you’re tired of chasing down answers or feeling ghosted by recruiters, maybe it’s time for a new tune. One with a lot less silence, and maybe just a little Reba in the background.