Candidate Ghosting Prevention Kit

Keep candidates engaged from first application through their first day. Set your response standards once, track each candidate, and use the workbook's risk scores to see who needs a message first.

Three pieces for keeping candidates engaged

The Start Here guide shows where to begin. The playbook sets out the process, the scripts provide the messages, and the tracker identifies candidates who need attention today.

• The Playbook. Response standards by role, an engagement map from application to first day, a schedule for staying in touch, a risk scorecard, and checklists for each stage.
• Scripts and Templates. Ready-to-send messages from application acknowledgment through offer and pre-start, including shorter versions for hourly and field roles.
• The Tracker. One row per candidate, with a risk score that flags who may disengage. Includes a Candidate Pipeline tab, a Dashboard, and a pre-filled Example Completed Version that shows how the workbook works.

Your first ten minutes

Review the worked example, enter your candidates, and check the Dashboard to see who needs a message.

• Start with the example. Open the Tracker and review the Example Completed Version tab before making changes.
• Enter your candidates. On the Candidate Pipeline tab, replace the example rows with your candidates. Edit only the amber cells, and the risk score calculates automatically.
• Follow up and keep the tracker updated. Send the matching script to each candidate flagged as at risk on the Dashboard. Set aside ten minutes once or twice a week to update the tracker and clear the flags.

Who this is for and other options

Built for

• A recruiter or talent team managing candidate engagement between application and start, with a clear process for staying in touch.
• A hiring manager at a small company handling their own recruiting, with ready-to-use messages and follow-up timing.
• An operator filling hourly or field roles where timely responses help candidates stay engaged while considering other offers.

If you are looking for

• For onboarding after a candidate accepts, the New Hire Onboarding 30-60-90 Kit covers the first ninety days.
• To calculate the cost of a prolonged vacancy, see the Time to Fill Cost Calculator.

Before you buy

What format is it and can I edit it?

Includes two PDFs and an Excel tracker that also works in Google Sheets. Every tracker field is editable, including the Message Templates tab.

Does it work for hourly and field roles?

Yes. The scripts include shorter variants for hourly and field hiring, where same-day replies and a reminder the day before an interview matter most.

Will it stop every candidate from ghosting?

No. The tracker flags candidates who may disengage and gives you messages for following up. It helps you manage communication, while each candidate makes their own decision.

What is the refund policy?

Digital products are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. To request a refund, email support@truestephr.com or reply to your receipt within 30 days of purchase.

What happens after I buy?

Your download link appears immediately after checkout. Your receipt arrives by email with the same link. Open Start Here first for the recommended order. For setup questions, email support@truestephr.com.

How the download works

Your files arrive as a single ZIP download, best opened on a computer. Save it, extract it (right-click and select Extract All on Windows, or double-click on a Mac), then open the Start Here file first. PDFs open in any reader, and editable files work in Microsoft Excel or free equivalents, including LibreOffice and Google Sheets. No other software is needed. Step-by-step help for every device is at truestephr.com/pages/download-help.

Scope

These tools and editable templates provide general HR information, not legal advice. Have qualified counsel review policies and individual decisions against applicable employment law.