These Are the Jobs Where You're Most Likely to Get Ghosted in 2026, Expert Says

Tech and media roles top the list as automated screening leaves qualified candidates in limbo

Key Findings:

• Job market experts reveal which industries and roles face the highest risk of candidate ghosting in 2026, with technology and media positions topping the list

• The hospitality, retail, technology, and media sectors show the weakest applicant response rates, with index scores ranging from 28 to 44

• Yassin Aberra warns that weak digital presence and poor keyword alignment are filtering out qualified candidates before human recruiters ever see their applications

Many of us know how frustrating it can be applying for dozens of jobs and hearing nothing back. But this is actually becoming the norm for candidates in certain industries. While ghosting used to be associated with poor candidate behavior, the tables have turned. Now, it's job seekers who are left in limbo, their applications seemingly vanishing into digital black holes.

According to Yassin Aberra, founder and CEO of Social Market Way, a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO and online visibility strategies, this isn't happening by chance. 

“Job ghosting follows patterns,” Aberra explains. “Certain roles attract hundreds of applicants for every opening, making it nearly impossible for recruiters to respond to everyone. Add in automated screening systems, and you've got a perfect storm where qualified candidates get filtered out before a human ever reviews their resume.”

Below, Aberra breaks down which jobs face the highest ghosting risk in 2026 and explains why digital visibility, not just talent, determines who gets through the door. 

The Industries Where Applicants Are Most Likely to Be Ghosted

Recent data from The Interview Guys' 2025 Ghosting Index reveals which sectors leave candidates waiting the longest for responses. The index measured applicant response rates, post-interview communication, and response timelines to identify where job seekers face the most silence. Aberra weighs in on each one. 

1. Technology and Software: Index Score: 28

The tech industry tops the list for ghosting, with an index score of 28. Despite a reputation for innovation, tech companies often receive overwhelming numbers of applications for each position. 

“Tech roles attract global talent pools,” says Aberra. “A single software engineering position might get 500+ applications within days. Even with dedicated recruitment teams, responding to everyone becomes logistically impossible.”

2. Media & Communications: Index Score: 32

Media and communications roles score 32 on the ghosting index. These positions often appeal to recent graduates and career changers, creating massive applicant saturation. 

“Creative roles in media look glamorous, so everyone applies,” Aberra notes. “When you're competing with hundreds of others for the same content writer or social media manager position, your application needs to stand out immediately, or it gets buried.”

3. Hospitality and Food Service: Index Score: 38

With an index score of 38, hospitality and food service see high ghosting rates despite constant hiring needs. The industry's high turnover means recruiters are constantly filling positions, often prioritizing speed over communication. 

“Hospitality managers are juggling immediate staffing needs,” explains Aberra. “They're moving fast to fill shifts, which means candidates who don't fit the immediate need often don't hear back at all.”

4. Retail and Consumer Services: Index Score: 44

Retail shows the highest ghosting index score at 44. Seasonal hiring spikes, high application volumes, and reliance on automated screening systems all contribute. 

“Retail receives thousands of applications, especially during holiday hiring,” says Aberra. “Most retailers use applicant tracking systems that auto-reject candidates based on keyword matching. If your resume doesn't contain the exact phrases they're scanning for, you're out before anyone reads it.”

Why Visibility, Not Talent, Is the Real Filter

Aberra emphasizes that getting ghosted often has nothing to do with qualifications. Instead, it's about whether automated systems and time-pressed recruiters can quickly identify your value. Here's what's actually filtering candidates out:

• Weak LinkedIn presence: “Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing recruiters check after seeing your resume,” Aberra explains. “If it's incomplete, outdated, or doesn't showcase your work, you're immediately less credible than candidates with strong profiles.”

• No searchable proof of work: Recruiters increasingly search for candidates online before reaching out. “If you're a designer without a portfolio site, a writer without published clips, or a marketer without case studies, you're invisible,” says Aberra. “Proof of work builds trust and makes you memorable.”

• Low keyword alignment: Applicant tracking systems scan resumes for specific terms. "You might be qualified, but if your resume says ‘managed social platforms’ instead of ‘social media management,’ the ATS might reject you,” Aberra warns. “You need to mirror the language in job descriptions.”

• AI's role in filtering candidates: Automated screening tools are becoming more sophisticated. “AI systems now scan for everything from writing tone to career progression patterns,” says Aberra. “They're making split-second decisions about your application based on data points you might not even realize matter.”

“The job market has shifted dramatically,” Aberra concludes. “Getting hired is no longer just about being qualified. You now also need to be visible, searchable, and aligned with how both AI and human recruiters evaluate candidates. If you're getting ghosted repeatedly, the problem most likely isn't your skills, but how you're presenting them digitally.”

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About Social Market Way: Social Market Way is a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, lead generation, and online visibility strategies. They focus on helping businesses increase organic traffic, boost search engine rankings, and drive targeted leads to achieve measurable growth. They craft customized marketing plans tailored to each client's industry and goals with a data-driven approach. Their services include content marketing, link building, local SEO, and reputation management, aimed at delivering long-term success.

Sources: The 2025 Ghosting Index - Industry ghosting scores and metrics explain why digital visibility, not just talent, determines who gets through the door.