From Tinder to LinkedIn: How ghosting is following Gen Z into the workplace

Employers worse than bad dates? One in three have been ghosted by employers.

Forget being ditched after a first date - Gen Z says the real heartbreak is happening on LinkedIn.

A new survey by global student housing provider Yugo reveals that ‘graduate ghosting’ is the latest workplace trend, with students applying for jobs only to be left on read by employers. For many, it feels less like a career ladder and more like a bad dating app.

Surveying more than 7,200 students across Australia, the UK, US and Europe, Yugo also found that almost one in five (17%) students feel unprepared for life after graduation. Even so, 74% say further study is “worth the debt” for the personal growth, independence and experiences it provides.

In Australia, a quarter of respondents were worried about uncertain job market conditions, and 27% found there was a lack of guidance or mentorship to help them enter the workforce.

The rise of ‘graduate ghosting’

For Australia’s youth, securing a job is proving more difficult than ever before. Many students report that employers fail to respond after applications or interviews - a trend now being called “graduate ghosting”.

In Australia, 57% admit they lack relevant work experience, 46% say competition for jobs is brutal, and 33% say they never hear back from hiring managers at all. Just under a third (28%) don’t get a response from at least half their applications, while one in twelve report being ghosted by up to 80% of employers.

For young people used to DMs, double-taps and instant replies, this radio silence stings. Being ghosted by a date is awkward; being ghosted by a potential boss is financially terrifying and disappointing.

Master’s in International Business Management graduate from the University of Adelaide, Kay Srivastava, applied for more than 200 jobs, starting before he finished his degree, and was rejected by more than half before securing a local role.

“It’s not the rejection that stings, but the silence that kills,” he said. “They were all local jobs as I wanted to stay in Adelaide. With one graduate role at a major advisory firm I was accepted into the third round, and then they didn’t get back to me for three months. I eventually contacted them and they said I had been unsuccessful, but it was really disappointing to wait after I had gone through two rounds.”

Studying harder, pay later

With a bachelor’s degree no longer a guaranteed ticket to employment, eight in 10 students are considering postgraduate study to strengthen skills and boost their CVs. Even so, ambition remains high, with a third aiming for starting salaries of between $40,000 and $80,000, and only 13% expecting a starting salary higher than $80,000.

Expert take: Ghosting goes corporate

“Ghosting isn’t just for dating apps - it’s happening in the workplace too,” says Emily Porter, Global Senior Brand Manager at Yugoand Head of its Live Your Best Life programme.

“Our survey shows students are ambitious and ready to succeed, but silence from employers can be confusing and disheartening.

“At Yugo, we complement academic learning with our Live Your Best Life Programme, alongside our YuGrow, YuPro, and YugoEco pillars. These initiatives help students build confidence, resilience, and career readiness - giving them the tools to thrive professionally and personally.

“With the right support, graduates can face the modern world of work with more than just a degree - they can enter it with the confidence and skills to succeed, even in the age of workplace ghosting.”

For more information on Yugo, please visit here.

*https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/25/uk-university-graduates-toughest-job-market-rise-of ai

About Yugo 

Yugo forms part of The Dot Group and includes over 280 student living spaces in 14 countries in more than 120 of the world’s top educational cities. Globally it is the largest and most diversified student housing operator in the world creating a Yugo home for 160,000 student customers. In 2025, Yugo became the official student housing partner of the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1™ Team – giving students even more unique experiences and global opportunities.