65% of Hiring Managers Blame AI for Rising Candidate Ghosting

Job candidate ghosting is on the rise, and hiring managers are growing frustrated as more job seekers vanish without a word.

According to LiveCareer’s new Candidate Ghosting & AI Report, which surveyed more than 900 human resources professionals, 88% say they’ve lost contact with candidates midway through the hiring process, and 71% report the problem has worsened over the past year. Many point to the growing use of AI and automation as a key reason behind the trend, suggesting that tech-driven hiring may be introducing new friction into an already lengthy and complex system.

Key Takeaways

88% of HR professionals say they’ve been ghosted by a candidate during the hiring process.
71% say job ghosting has increased year-over-year.
65% believe AI and automation tools are contributing to candidates dropping off.
12% say they’ve been ghosted even after extending a job offer.

AI Is Accelerating the Ghosting Problem

Automation and AI tools are reshaping the hiring landscape—and not always for the better. HR professionals report that AI-driven interactions may be unintentionally encouraging job seekers to disengage:

65% of respondents say AI has definitely contributed to the rise in candidate ghosting.
Another 33% say AI has had some impact on candidate disengagement.

From automated screenings to impersonal follow-ups, job seekers may be more likely to ghost when they feel disconnected from the process or uncertain they’re working with a human throughout the hiring process—a trend that overlaps with the rise of “ghost jobs,” which you can read more about in our ghost jobs report.

What this means: When hiring feels overly automated, job seekers disengage. A lack of human connection during the process can lead candidates to disappear in search of other opportunities.

Ghosting a Job Is More Common Than Ever

Instances of HR professionals experiencing job candidates ghosting after an interview or dropping out at some point during the hiring process without notice or further contact are reaching alarming rates:

40% of HR professionals say they are ghosted by candidates very frequently.
48% report being ghosted at least occasionally.
Only 3% say it never happens.

The most common points in the hiring process where candidates disappear include:

After initial recruiter screening (36%)
After a first-round interview (26%)
After submitting an application (22%)
After receiving a job offer (12%)
After accepting a job offer (5%)

What this means: Job candidates ghosting hiring managers has become a routine challenge and can cause serious delays to a company’s recruiting timeline. Candidates are disappearing at all stages, leaving employers scrambling to fill roles and keep recruitment efforts on track.

Why Candidates Go Silent

When asked why job seekers ghost employers, HR professionals pointed to a breakdown in communication, slow timelines, and increased competition:

54% felt candidates experienced a lack of clear communication from employers.
42% said candidates received a better offer elsewhere.
39% pointed to long or frustrating hiring processes.
27% said candidates had second thoughts about the role.
8% blamed a negative candidate experience.
2% said candidates no longer needed a job.

What this means: Poor communication, long delays, and better opportunities elsewhere are pushing candidates to walk away. A frustrating hiring experience can be enough to make job seekers go silent rather than follow through.

For press inquiries, contact Elizabeth Buccianti, senior manager public relations, at elizabeth.buccianti@bold.com.

Methodology

The findings presented were obtained by surveying 918 human resource professionals on March 25, 2025. Participants were queried about their experiences with job candidates throughout the hiring process, how often candidates stopped communicating with hiring teams, and the contributing factors. They answered different types of questions, including yes/no, open-ended, scale-based questions where respondents indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice, where they could select from a list of provided options.

About LiveCareer

LiveCareer's online Resume Builder is designed to empower its users to get better jobs and improve their job search. A one-stop shop among AI resume builder tools, LiveCareer features cutting-edge resume templates, a powerful cover letter builder, and extensive free career resources to support job candidates in reaching their professional goals. Trusted by over 10 million users around the world, LiveCareer has been publishing expert advice from Certified Professional Resume Writers since 2005. LiveCareer’s career tips have been featured in renowned media outlets, including Bloomberg, Forbes, and Newsweek. Stay connected with LiveCareer's latest updates to improve your job search on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.