One of the most frustrating aspects of job hunting in Ghana is not simply the lack of jobs, but the lack of communication from many organizations after applications have been submitted.
In most cases, companies contact only successful applicants and leave the rest in silence. This practice is unfair, unprofessional, and demoralizing for job seekers.
If I apply to five companies, I should be able to know which ones selected me and which ones did not. It is only fair for organizations to send a simple rejection message so applicants can move forward.
Even if 100 people apply and only 20 are chosen, the remaining 80 deserve to be notified. It does not require lengthy explanations—just a short message stating that the applicants did not meet the company’s requirements or standards would be enough.
Unfortunately, many companies avoid this, but the cost is heavy: young people are left waiting endlessly for opportunities that will never come. This deepens frustration in society and leaves graduates stuck in uncertainty.
It should not take months, let alone years, for an applicant to realize they have not been selected.
A clear timeframe and transparent communication should be part of every recruitment process. For example, if a company states that unsuccessful applicants will be notified within one month, candidates can quickly move on and redirect their efforts elsewhere.
Many young job seekers who have sent applications without any acknowledgment can attest that the silence is more discouraging than the rejection itself.
If companies truly value the dignity of applicants, they must adopt a culture of communication and transparency.
In Ghana, it is high time we ended the practice of ignoring unsuccessful applicants. Respectfully informing candidates of their status costs nothing but goes a long way in building trust, reducing frustration and mental stress, and improving the job market experience for everyone.
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Story by Kwadwo Owusu Anane | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
