Recruitment taken for granted: Big mistake by employers (Part 1)
The Great Disconnect: Navigating a Broken Job Market Where Technology Rules and Employers Retreat
New York, NY – June 28, 2025 – The modern job market is a landscape of stark contradictions. While technology promises a more efficient and connected world, the reality for many job seekers is a frustrating gauntlet of automated rejections, communication black holes, and the unsettling feeling that employers are simply going through the motions. A pervasive sense of disconnect plagues the recruitment process, leaving candidates demoralized and companies potentially missing out on top talent. This broken system is fueled by a combination of over-reliance on imperfect technology and a concerning trend of employers taking the recruitment process for granted.
One of the most glaring symptoms of this fractured landscape is the rise of “ghosting,” a practice once associated with online dating that has now become a common feature of the professional world.2 A staggering 48% of job seekers report being ghosted by an employer in the past year, a significant jump from previous years, according to a 2025 report by Criteria Corp. This silence, after interviews and even what seemed like positive interactions, is not just a matter of poor etiquette; it’s a reflection of a deeper issue where the human element of hiring is being systematically devalued.
At the heart of this dehumanization is the double-edged sword of technology. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been widely adopted with the promise of streamlining the hiring process.3 These systems can indeed sift through thousands of applications with remarkable speed, but they often do so with a bluntness that overlooks nuance and potential. Many highly qualified candidates find their applications unceremoniously discarded by algorithms because their resumes lack specific keywords, even if their experience is a perfect match.
“The pendulum has swung too far towards automation,” says Sarah Jenkins, a career coach who has seen a surge in clients frustrated with the current market. “We’re creating a system that is efficient at processing data but terrible at recognizing human potential. A machine can’t gauge passion, creativity, or a strong work ethic from a PDF.”
The problem is compounded by what many perceive as a fundamental lack of effort from the employer’s side. The proliferation of “ghost jobs” – positions advertised to give the impression of company growth or to test the applicant pool with no real intention of hiring – further erodes trust.4 For many companies, the recruitment process appears to be a low-priority, automated function rather than a critical investment in their future workforce.
This hands-off approach extends beyond the initial application stage. Candidates who do make it past the AI gatekeepers often face a bewildering and protracted interview process, sometimes involving multiple rounds with little to no feedback. The expectation of immediate and enthusiastic responses from candidates is rarely reciprocated by the hiring managers, creating a one-sided dynamic that leaves applicants feeling like disposable commodities.
The consequences of these broken practices are far-reaching. For job seekers, the constant rejection and lack of closure can lead to burnout and a diminished sense of self-worth.5 For employers, the short-term convenience of automated systems and disengaged recruitment may be costing them dearly in the long run. By creating a negative and impersonal candidate experience, companies are damaging their employer brand and alienating top talent who have other options.6
In a market where skilled professionals are in high demand, the power dynamic is slowly shifting. Companies that continue to treat recruitment as a transactional, low-effort endeavor will find themselves struggling to attract and retain the very people they need to innovate and grow. The future of successful recruitment will likely involve a rebalancing of technology and human interaction – using AI and automation as tools to assist, not replace, the crucial human judgment and empathy that are essential in building strong, dedicated teams. Until then, the great disconnect in the job market will continue to be a source of frustration for many, a silent testament to a system in desperate need of repair.
