How to Deal with Being Ghosted by Employers After a Job Interview

You've spent hours crafting the perfect resume, tailored your cover letter to the company's needs, and aced the job interview. You're feeling confident and excited about the opportunity to join a new team and take your career to the next level. But then, the dreaded silence sets in. Days turn into weeks, and you hear nothing from the employer. 

You've been ghosted.

Being ghosted by a potential employer, especially after what felt like a successful job interview can be frustrating and discouraging. It can leave you feeling uncertain about your skills and qualifications, and wondering what went wrong. 

First things first, it’s often more of a comment on them, not you, and unfortunately you’re not the first, with a global study finding that 75% of job seekers had been ghosted after an interview, and you’re unlikely to be the last.

Let’s explore what being ghosted means in the context of job interviews, why it's a problem, and what you can do to deal with it.

What is Being Ghosted in the Context of Job Interviews?

It’s unlikely you’re reading this if you don’t know what we mean when we say being ghosted, but just in case…

Being ghosted in the context of job interviews means that after an initial interview or series of interviews, the employer stops responding to the job seeker's follow-up emails or calls. It's as if the employer has disappeared into thin air, leaving the job seeker in the dark about their status in the hiring process. Like a (business) ghost.

How to Deal with Being Ghosted by Employers After a Job Interview

Not only does spending time and energy preparing for a job interview, only to be left in the dark about the outcome sting a little, but it can make job seekers hesitant to apply for other jobs or pursue other opportunities, as they wait for a response from the ghosting employer.

So what is there to do when you’ve not heard back from a potential employer?

1. Follow up with the employer: If it's been a while since your interview and the date you expected to hear back from them as passed and you haven't heard back from the employer, it's okay to send a polite follow-up email or call. Express your continued interest in the position and ask for an update on the hiring process.
2. Stay positive: It's easy to feel down and frustrated when you think you’ve nailed an interview, but remember that rejection is often just redirection.
3. Network with other professionals: If you're feeling discouraged by the experience, reach out to other professionals in your field for support and advice. Attend networking events, join professional associations, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead on a job opportunity or can offer valuable insights into the hiring process.

How to Avoid Being Ghosted in the First Place

While typically being ghosted is outside the candidates control, there are steps you can take to potentially avoid it in the first place:

1. Research the company culture: Before you apply for a job, do some research on the company's culture and values. Look for reviews on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or other job search websites. If the company has a reputation for being unresponsive or disrespectful to job seekers, it might be a red flag.
2. Ask thoughtful questions during the interview: During the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the company's goals, projects, and culture. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the position and that you're invested in the company's success.
3. Follow up afterward: After the interview, send a polite and professional follow up reminding the interviewer of your interest in the role.

At the end of the day, being ghosted really does suck, but remember that the right job opportunity is out there for you, and that being ghosted is not a reflection of your skills or qualifications. Keep your head up, stay focused on your goals, and you'll find the right job.