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Recruiting with Ethics Leads to Strong Outcomes

Transparency, honesty, and fairness are qualities that candidates emphasize when I recruit them for jobs. After reading a CBS article on ghost jobs, I have been discussing ethical hiring practices with clients and others in the industry to stress the importance of building trust with our current candidates and future talent. Especially in today’s competitive job market, ethical recruiting practices are more important than ever. 


Many ask what is ethical recruiting? Ethical recruiting involves a process that’s fair, transparent, and honest—qualities candidates seek in an employer. It starts with respect: respecting candidates' goals, time, and limits, providing clear and accurate job information, and even offering alternative job recommendations that might be more beneficial to the candidate.


Unethical hiring practices can undermine company integrity. Here are some common practices:

  • Ghost Jobs: According to CBS News, nearly three in ten companies currently have listings for positions they are not actively trying to fill. Companies might use these postings to build a pipeline of potential candidates or to give an impression of growth.

  • Misleading Job Descriptions: Exaggerating roles or omitting key details can mislead candidates about the nature of the job.

  • Ghosting Candidates: Failing to communicate with candidates after they have applied, been interviewed, or completed other steps in the recruitment process.


A key point from my conversations is that unethical practices can harm a company’s long-term success by leading to higher turnover and lower employee satisfaction.

Here are some best practices to avoid unethical and subconscious bad habits:


  • Be Transparent: Clearly communicate the status and details of job openings. Inform candidates if a position is for future consideration or an immediate hire.

  • Give Updates Often: Keep job listings current and inform applicants about the progress of their applications and the hiring process.


Yes, there are benefits of ethical recruiting:


  • Higher Retention: Employees who are hired through a transparent and fair process are more likely to feel valued and respected. It leads to higher job satisfaction and greater company loyalty.

  • Better Candidates: Don’t waste a candidate's time. If they are not a good fit, they can better focus their efforts on opportunities they have a chance at, leading to a more efficient and less stressful job search process.


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