TripAdvisor cofounder admits he’s often ghosted on LinkedIn now that he’s stepped down—but a career expert says it could be a ‘blessing in disguise’

“I sometimes laugh when I communicate with someone on LinkedIn and I became a ghost,” Kowal recently admitted gravel Podcast. “And I like, Wow, this was not happening to me. But well, get used to your new life.”

Coffar said he did not respond to people who do not respond to his letters. He explained that he maintained a very low level as the CEO of Tripadvisor, preferring to be in thick work and operations, only he wants to do vehicles to speak when propaganda helps the company.

But while Coffar looks good with a slowly retreating from the lights-to the point of ignoring by his former peers on LinkedIn-researchers and managers are absent from not responding to them.

He tells a professional expert luck There are some common reasons that make professionals a ghost, and share steps on how to deal with silent rejection. The truth is that the shadows are not always personal – and there is no harm in following up, enhancing other industry communications, and designing professional materials to obtain vision. The shadows may be “a blessing in camouflage”.

“Ghost or closing can occur after leaving a job, and even high -level leaders are not immune to that,” Yasmine Escalera, a biographical biographical professional expert, told the CV, luck. “Always remember that rejection or silence is just part of the process, not a representation of your magnificence as a candidate.”

Executive chiefs are not the only ones to get a ghost

The former CEO of Tripadvisor is left in reading a high -level example of a very common professional habit that hurts both workers and employers.

The number of reviews corresponding to the functional candidate on the Glassdooor, which mentions the shadows more than twice and climbing 112 %, between 2020 and 2023, according to the platform data. Employment managers even recognize this – 69 % of human resources professionals admit to closing the search for work and cutting communication with candidates frequently, according to modern data from Builder and LiveCareer. Then there is an issue of “Ghost Jobs” – jobs lists developed by employers to demonstrate the company’s growth. Three out of five job candidates say they faced one of these wrong publications, and have never heard of employers at this opportunity.

But although applicants describe the tiring recruitment process as “frustrated”, “unfair”, and “poor”, may not be the ghost is the worst thing in the world.

“The ghost can actually be a convincing blessing,” Escalera says.

“The same applies to companies, employment, or recruits. If they do not communicate, this may be a sign that it is not the environment in which your skills and contributions will really be estimated.”

In response to ghost jobs, the employment of Radio Radio, and the exhausting employment operations, job seekers operate the tables on their potential presidents. About 75 % of workers say they ignored a possible employer last year, according to 2025 data. General Z are the worst criminals – 93 % admitted that they were overlooking an interview.

What workers should do when they receive a ghost

Those seeking job seekers may feel powerless when contact or ghost employment manager-but the Escalera job expert suggests some of the ways that workers can benefit from.

1. Building a reputation that goes beyond your role: Just as with the former CEO of Tripadvisor, Escalera says some professionals get their role in their role. If they leave, it is difficult for others to see them outside the context of that job: “This is why it is very important to build real relationships as people understand your experiences and your contributions outside your neck or company.”
2. Customize your applications: When leaving a job or creating a professional axis, shadows may occur if the worker is no longer completely suitable for new opportunities. “You may close before you have an opportunity to prove that you are decent. This is why it is important to allocate your applications to highlight the transformable skills but also to invest in communication and communications in the industry that you hope to move to.”
3. Do not be afraid to follow up: TEXting is completely suitable, and Escalera says it is good to follow up with recruits, recruitment managers and potential communications. “I politely ask to update the situation or constant attention to expressing communication. It does not always mean not to respond.
4. Your network grows: Sometimes, old communications still do not respond after follow -up, so it is very important that workers expand their networks and maintain momentum. “If you are still not getting a response, only you have to continue building the momentum by focusing on the development of your network, progressing to other roles, and staying visible.”

Although it may be necessary for workers to be a ghost by others, Escalera says it is important for professionals to keep their heads high. The companies or appropriate opportunities will come.

“The right company will know that they want you by engaging, following up and providing space to shine,” Escalera says. “Maintaining a positive mentality and knowing your value helps in reformulating shades is not a rejection, but re -guidance towards better roles and companies.”