“Ghosting” in Recruitment

Why time kills all Recruitment Processes and how to keep the engagement with your candidate…

Introduction:

In today’s competitive procurement recruitment market, time is one of the most valuable, and underestimated factors in successful hiring. Every recruitment process includes critical stages: initial outreach, interviews, feedback, and finally, the job offer. However, delays at any stage can seriously impact your ability to secure top procurement talent.

At The Procurement Hive, we’ve seen a growing trend that poses a real risk to effective recruitment: employers with urgent hiring needs going silent – essentially “ghosting” candidates and recruiters. This not only harms valuable professional relationships but also damages your employer brand and reputation in the market.

Why timing is crucial in procurement hiring:

• Delays can cost you top candidates who may accept other offers.
• Poor communication breaks trust, especially with high-calibre procurement professionals.
• Long hiring cycles reduce engagement, leading to lower offer acceptance rates.

The bottom line? Delays and lack of communication are two of the biggest threats in procurement recruitment. In this blog, we’ll explore why speed and transparency are essential, and how your organisation can streamline the recruitment process to attract and secure the best procurement talent.

Time Kills Procurement Recruitment:

As of February 2025, the job market remains highly competitive, especially in procurement. While it might seem like employers have more time to assess available talent, taking too long to move candidates through your hiring process can backfire. In today’s fast-moving recruitment landscape, top procurement professionals won’t wait around.

Even a short delay of a few days can lead strong candidates to lose interest or accept offers from other companies. When procurement candidates are left waiting with no updates, they may begin to question your organisation’s professionalism and commitment to filling the role. This creates doubt, and that’s often enough to push them toward other opportunities.

Slow hiring processes create serious risks:

• Candidate disengagement: Long gaps between interview stages can cause top talent to lose enthusiasm.
• Brand perception: Delays may suggest poor internal communication or a lack of urgency.
• Emotional fatigue: The frustration of waiting without feedback can lead candidates to feel undervalued or ignored.

Top procurement professionals are typically proactive, motivated, and results-driven. If they feel your process is disorganised or unnecessarily slow, they may not just withdraw – they might share that experience with others in the industry.

To secure the best candidates, it’s crucial to maintain momentum, communicate clearly, and respect their time. A fast, transparent recruitment process doesn’t just fill roles quicker – it also reflects positively on your employer brand.

How to Keep Procurement Candidates Engaged During the Hiring Process

In a competitive procurement job market, securing top talent goes beyond just identifying the right candidates – it’s about keeping them engaged throughout the recruitment process. Delays, lack of communication, and inefficient hiring workflows can cause even the most interested candidates to lose interest or accept other offers.

Here’s how to keep procurement candidates engaged and ensure your recruitment process stands out for all the right reasons:

Set Clear Expectations from the Start:

Transparency is key. When first reaching out to procurement candidates, clearly outline the hiring timeline and the steps involved in the recruitment process.

• Will there be one or two interview stages?
• Is there an assessment?
• When can they expect feedback?

By setting expectations early, candidates feel more in control and less anxious about what comes next, leading to greater trust and engagement.

Maintain Regular Communication:

Even if there’s no major update, keep the conversation going. Silence is one of the fastest ways to lose top procurement talent.

• Send quick updates by email or phone.
• Let candidates know where you are in the decision-making process.
• Be honest if delays occur – transparency builds trust.

Candidates appreciate knowing they haven’t been forgotten, and regular communication keeps them emotionally invested in the opportunity.

Streamline the Hiring Process:

A lengthy or overly complex recruitment process can lead to disengagement and drop-offs. Take a close look at your procurement recruitment workflow:

• Can you consolidate interviews?
• Are all assessment steps necessary?
• Is internal decision-making holding things up?

The faster and more efficient your process, the more likely you are to secure top candidates – before your competitors do.

Create a Positive Candidate Experience:

Procurement professionals are often highly driven and expect a professional experience in return. Simple, thoughtful actions go a long way:

• Personalised messages and timely updates
• Respectful scheduling and prompt follow-ups
• Clear, honest feedback, even if they’re not moving forward

A great experience increases the chance a candidate will accept your offer, or refer other top talent your way.

Showcase Your Employer Brand:

Every interaction is an opportunity to promote your organisation. Make sure candidates understand why your company is a great place to work.

• Highlight your company culture, values, and team dynamics
• Share growth opportunities and benefits
• Use your tone and communication to reflect professionalism and authenticity

When candidates feel emotionally connected to your brand, they’re more likely to remain engaged, even during unavoidable delays.

Conclusion:

Engagement is the Secret to Successful Procurement Recruitment!

In procurement recruitment, time and communication are everything. Delays without updates, confusing timelines, and poor candidate experiences can quickly push top professionals away. But with the right strategy, you can keep candidates engaged, protect your employer brand, and improve your chances of making a successful hire.

Working with a specialist procurement recruitment agency like The Procurement Hive can help you overcome these challenges. We streamline the process, maintain candidate engagement, and ensure you never lose top talent to slow decision-making.