Berlin, April 23, 2026
A growing number of job applicants in Germany are being left without feedback from employers, with nearly 80% of respondents reporting an increase in "ghosting" during the hiring process, according to a recent survey.
Rising Frustration Among Job Seekers
The survey, conducted by the job platform Indeed and the research institute Appinio, found that 63.5% of applicants received no response to their job applications in the past year. This trend, known as "ghosting," has become a major source of frustration for job seekers, with 80% of respondents noting a rise in the practice.
Frank Heesgens, a representative from Indeed, emphasized the negative impact of this trend: "Ignoring job applicants undermines trust in the labor market." The lack of communication not only leaves candidates in limbo but also harms overall productivity and knowledge transfer in industries.
Calls for Transparency and Simplified Processes
A significant 63% of respondents expressed a desire for more transparency in job postings, particularly regarding salary information. However, only 11.5% of job advertisements currently include such details, according to Indeed.
The bureaucratic burden of applying for jobs was another major concern, with 41.5% of respondents citing the time and effort required as the biggest hurdle. Many applicants are deterred by complex forms that sometimes need to be filled out by hand.