The Hood Targets ‘Ghosting Pandemic’ with Launch of The Career Hub as Studies Reveal Psychological Toll on Jobseekers

With over 40 percent of jobseekers questioning whether their applications are ever seen, The Hood has launched a new feature on its platform designed to tackle one of the recruitment industry’s most persistent failings: the lack of transparency in the application process.

The so-called “ghosting pandemic ” is the experience of submitting CVs with no acknowledgement or status updates. It has become a defining feature of modern job-hunting. Recent studies indicate that 41 percent of job applicants doubt their applications are ever reviewed, while nearly a third fear being permanently “ghosted” by employers.

The consequences go far beyond frustration. Recent findings suggest that ongoing job uncertainty can lead to elevated stress levels and increased risk of depression. Prolonged periods without feedback are linked to higher levels of pessimism, anxiety, and disengagement, particularly among younger candidates and long-term jobseekers.

In response, The Hood Platform has introduced The Career Hub, a new access control and live application tracking feature that allows candidates to see the status of every job they apply for in real time. The tool gives users a single dashboard to view all submissions, track progress, and withdraw applications if needed. This marks a sharp contrast to the current norm of silence and guesswork.

Founder and Managing Director of The Hood, Josephine Le, said: “This is not about convenience. It is about basic transparency. Jobseekers today are expected to invest hours into applications only to be met with total silence. That lack of clarity creates real emotional strain. We believe people deserve to know where they stand.”

Recruitment experts argue that while employers have invested heavily in technology to streamline hiring on their side, the candidate experience has lagged behind. As jobseeker mental health comes under renewed focus, tools that improve visibility and communication could become a new standard in responsible hiring.