The co -founder of Tripadvisor admits that he is often a ghost on LinkedIn now that he has resigned – but a career expert says that it could be a disguised blessing ”

“I sometimes laugh when I contact someone on LinkedIn and I am a ghost,” recently admitted Kaufer Crush podcast. “And I say to myself:” Wow, that didn’t happen to me. But okay, gets used to your new life. “”

Kaufer said he was not disturbed by people who did not respond to his messages. He explained that he had kept a fairly low profile as CEO of Tripadvisor, preferring to be in the heart of commercial problems and operations, wanting to do concerts only when advertising would help the company.

But while Kaufer seems to be slowly withdrawing from the spotlight, even to the point of being ignored by his own peers on LinkedIn – researchers and managers are feared that people will not answer them.

A career expert tells Fortune that there are some common reasons for which professionals are ghosts and shares stages on how to deal with silent rejection. The truth is that the ghosts are not always personal – and there is no harm to follow, to strengthen other links in the industry and to adapt professional materials to obtain visibility. Ghosts can even be a “disguised blessing”.

“Getting a ghost or the closure after leaving a position can occur, and even the high -level leaders are not immune,” explains Jasmine Escalera, career expert for the CV manufacturer, explains Fortune. “Remember that rejection or silence is only part of the process, not a representation of how you are great as a candidate.”

CEOs are not the only ones to get ghosts

The former CEO of Tripadvisor being read is a very publicized example of a very common professional habit which hurts workers and employers.

The number of candidates for candidates on the candidates on Glassdoor mentioning the ghosts has more than doubled, climbing 112%, between 2020 and 2023, according to data from the platform. And hiring managers are developing even to do so – around 69% of HR professionals admit that a job search for the frequent closure and the reduction in communication with candidates, according to recent data from the CV and Livecareer manufacturer. Then there is the problem of “ghost jobs” – lists of improvement jobs that employers have set up to pretend the growth of the company. Three out of five candidates say they have met one of these false publications, without ever hearing the employers on the occasion.

But despite the candidates describing the tiring process of hiring as “frustrating”, “inequitable” and “poor”, being a ghost may not be the worst thing in the world.

“Being a ghost can actually be a disguised blessing. Just like in the meetings, if someone disappears without a word, it’s just not the right match,” said Escalera.

“The same goes for companies, hiring teams or recruiters. If they do not communicate, it could very well be a sign that it is not the environment where your skills and contributions will be really appreciated.”

In response to ghost work, the radio silence of hiring managers and exhausting hiring processes, job seekers run the tables on their potential bosses. About 75% of workers say they have ignored a potential employer in the past year, according to data from 2025. And generation Z is the worst offenders – approximately 93% admitted that they had jumped an interview.

What workers should do when ghosts

Job seekers may feel helpless when a connection director or hiring has ghostly, but the career expert will stop suggests some ways that workers can get the most out of it.

1. Build a reputation beyond your role: Just like with the former CEO of Tripadvisor, will say that some professionals are entering their role. If they leave, it is difficult for others to see them outside the context of this work: “This is why it is so important to establish real relationships where people understand your expertise and your contributions beyond your title or your business.”
2. Adapt your applications: When you leave a job or by pivoting a career, ghosts can occur if a worker is no longer the perfect fit for new opportunities. “You could exclude yourself before you have a chance to prove that you are an adjustment. This is why it is crucial not only to adapt your applications to highlight the transferable skills but also to invest in networking and connections in the industry in which you hope to move.”
3. Don’t be afraid to follow: The double-texting is completely appropriate, and will say that it is good to follow up with recruiters, hiring managers and potential connections. “Politely ask for an update of status or express a continuous interest in connecting. A non-response does not always mean no. People are busy, the reception boxes are congested and professional persistence can often bear fruit. ”
4. Have your network develop: Sometimes, old connections still do not respond after a follow -up, so it is crucial for workers to expand their networks and maintain the momentum. “If you still do not get an answer, simply continue to take momentum by focusing on the growth of your network, applying other roles and remaining visible.”

Although it can be very discouraged for workers to be ghosts by others, will say that it is important for professionals to keep their heads high. Good companies or opportunities will occur.

“The right company will be known that she wants you by committing to you, following and making room for your sparkle,” explains Escalera. “Keeping a positive state of mind and knowing your value helps to crop ghosts not as rejection, but redirection to better aligned roles and businesses.”