Developers Are Ghosting Your Offers

You’ve invested hours, maybe weeks, into finding the right developer for your team. You go through rounds of interviews, coding assessments, and even a final offer negotiation. The developer seems enthusiastic about the role, and everything feels like it’s falling into place. But then, just as you send over the official offer… nothing. The developer vanishes. No response to your emails. No calls. You’ve been ghosted.

It’s frustrating, it’s confusing, and it’s happening more often than you might think.

The Rise of Offer Ghosting

Offer ghosting, particularly in the tech industry, is becoming more common. Developers, especially highly skilled ones, are in demand, and they know it. The power dynamic has shifted, and in many cases, developers have multiple offers on the table. But why do they choose to ghost instead of simply declining?

Here are some reasons why developers might be ghosting your offers—and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

1. Non-Competitive Salaries

One of the most common reasons for ghosting is a lowball offer. Developers are aware of market rates, and if your offer doesn’t match their expectations, they’re not going to waste time negotiating. They’ll simply move on to the next opportunity.

In today’s market, offering a competitive salary isn’t optional—it’s essential. If you’re not meeting or exceeding the market rate, you’re losing out on top talent.

2. Delays in the Hiring Process

Speed matters. Developers, particularly those with in-demand skills, don’t have time to wait around. If your hiring process drags on for weeks or months, there’s a good chance they’ll lose interest and move on to another company. The longer the process, the more opportunities they’ll have to field offers from competitors.

To combat this, streamline your process. Make sure your decision-makers are aligned, and keep the interview-to-offer timeline as short as possible. The faster you move, the more likely you are to secure the candidate.

3. Lack of Transparency

Developers don’t want to be kept in the dark. If your process is opaque, they’re going to question whether your company is the right fit. Ambiguity about job expectations, team structure, or company culture raises red flags.

Transparency is key at every stage. Be upfront about the role, the challenges, and the compensation. If developers feel like they’re not getting the full picture, they’ll be more likely to walk away.

4. Better Offers Elsewhere

Sometimes, it’s not about what you did wrong—it’s about what someone else did right. Developers with in-demand skills are likely fielding multiple offers, and if a better one comes along, they’ll take it. This is why it’s critical to stay competitive—not just in terms of salary, but also in the benefits, culture, and growth opportunities you offer.

5. The Candidate Experience Was Lacking

Developers care about the experience you provide during the interview process. If they felt rushed, unappreciated, or subjected to tedious assessments, they’re less likely to accept your offer. A poor candidate experience is often cited as a reason why developers lose interest in a company.

How to Avoid Being Ghosted

So, what can you do to minimize the chances of being ghosted after an offer?

Make Competitive Offers: Do your research and ensure that your offers meet or exceed industry standards.
Streamline Your Hiring Process: The longer the process, the more opportunities for a candidate to drop out. Make it fast and efficient.
Be Transparent: Keep candidates informed throughout the process, and be upfront about job expectations and compensation.
Provide a Great Candidate Experience: Treat every candidate with respect, and make sure they feel valued from the first interview to the final offer.

Conclusion

Offer ghosting is frustrating, but it’s often preventable. By being competitive, transparent, and respectful of developers’ time, you can significantly reduce the chances of losing candidates before they accept your offer. In a competitive hiring market, small tweaks to your process can make a big difference.