Why Feedback Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Why Feedback Matters More Than Ever in 2025 – For Employers and Candidates Alike
In 2025, the talent market is more saturated and sophisticated than ever. Yet one issue continues to divide employers and candidates: the deafening silence after job applications.
Candidates are applying for roles in record numbers, and many are getting zero response. A recent report by Uppl highlights just how stark the numbers are:
- Direct applications via company websites receive a response just 2–5% of the time
- LinkedIn fares slightly better, with 3–13% response rates
- Indeed tops the list with 20–25%, but that’s still a 1-in-4 shot at best
As an employer or hiring manager, you definitely get moments where there are never enough hours in the day to give feedback to everyone. Volume is high, internal processes are slow, and sometimes roles are filled faster than expected. But candidates are increasingly choosing employers based on how they’re treated throughout the process, not just at the offer stage.
Why You Can’t Afford to Skip Feedback
Ghosting candidates doesn’t just cause frustration; it can damage your brand. A lack of communication sends a loud message about how a company values people. And when 70% of candidates say they’re less likely to engage with a company that didn’t respond to a previous application, that missed message could be costing you future hires.
Even basic acknowledgement or standard feedback can make a lasting impression. You may not be able to respond to every single applicant personally, but putting a consistent, human process in place shows that you respect the time and energy candidates invest.
Feedback builds trust. Trust builds reputation. And reputation is everything in a candidate-led market.
What Candidates Can Do If They Don’t Hear Back
Of course, the hiring process is a two-way street. For candidates left in the dark, here’s how to keep momentum:
- Follow up respectfully. A short, polite email after 7–10 days can keep your application top of mind.
- Ask for feedback when rejected. Not everyone will provide it, but when they do, it can offer valuable insight.
- Don’t take silence personally. It often comes down to internal priorities, budgets, or volume, not a reflection of your abilities.
- Build long-term relationships. Recruiters and hiring managers remember professionalism. A ‘no’ today might be a ‘yes’ tomorrow.
A Call to Employers: Make Feedback Part of Your Hiring Strategy
You don’t need to write essays or sugar-coat rejections. But taking time to offer clarity, even in small doses, makes your hiring process more human. And in a world where employer brands are under scrutiny, being human might just be your biggest competitive advantage.
Dovetail Recruitment are an independent Recruitment Agency in Bournemouth. Follow us to keep up to date with The South’s Job Market Report, Recruitment in Hampshire & Dorset + HR news, as well as our latest jobs, career tips + everything else related to your working world.
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