Dear Kristy,
Why Aren’t Candidates Calling Me Back?
One of the biggest frustrations I hear from hiring managers is, “Why do candidates ghost me?” You invest time in reviewing résumés, scheduling interviews, and making offers—only to be met with silence. It’s frustrating, but before blaming the candidates, take a step back and evaluate your process.
Candidates ghost for several reasons. Your hiring timeline might be too slow, leading them to accept another offer. Your communication could feel impersonal, making them feel like just another number. Alternatively, they may not have found enough value in the role to stay engaged.
So, how can you resolve this? First, speed is crucial. If you delay the hiring process, you risk losing exceptional talent. Second, tailor your approach. A timely follow-up message that feels genuine can have a considerable impact. Finally, be transparent. Clearly convey your expectations regarding the timeline, role, and company culture from the outset.
In today’s job market, candidates have options. If they’re not responding to your calls, it might be time to rethink your strategy for reaching them.
Got a recruiting question or challenge? Write in! Let’s tackle it together.
Kristy Sifford
With a background in flooring and restoration, but the heart and mindset of a teacher, Kristy Sifford tackles the difficult job of recruiting with tact, strategy, and determination. With more than a decade of recruiting experience in our industry under her belt, Kristy brings experience from speaking with thousands of candidates and hundreds of company owners. As founder and CEO of Wylander, she understands what it takes to fill even the toughest roles in the toughest markets, find and attract unicorn superstar players, and create a seamless hiring process for companies and candidates alike. Kristy's background in teaching, flooring, and most recently restoration have resulted in proven hiring and recruiting practices trusted by some of our industry's most elite contractors.



