How do you deal with ghosting after an interview and when to move on?

I understand that the business of HR can be very time-consuming and difficult sometimes, but professionally speaking, it is unfair to candidates for you to leave them in the dark. Some organizations make candidates go through tons of hoops in order to successfully apply for a position and if they are lucky, get an interview. The least courtesy you can show is to tell the candidate that they weren't successful in your selection process. It only takes a few minutes.

Unfortunately, it is currently more common to be ghosted during the interview process than to be formally informed that you are no longer under consideration for a role. After a final interview, you can send a thank you note to reiterate your interest in the role. After that point, you're left to wait for a response. If a week has gone by, you can email your recruiter for a status update. If you do not receive a response to that inquiry, you can assume that you are no longer under consideration and move on. When a hiring manager is interested in you and wants to bring you on board, you can be sure that you won't be forgotten. As hard as it can be to accept, the old adage "no answer is an answer" can be applied under these circumstances.

It’s very concerning that candidates have to appease potential employers with pleasantries and professionalism; while they can do the opposite. Candidates are held to a very high standard and the companies that “ghost” tend to be toxic environments. There needs to be accountability for the company to be just as professional as candidates are expected to be.

You can't control others, but you can control how you respond to the sound of silence. That's where you power is. If you still don't hear back after reaching out, feel good knowing that you followed up in a professional manner.

It is extremely disappointing but one has to remain positive. In order to deal with recruitment ghosting it is important to understand the recruiters can be extremely busy, and may not be able to give you a detailed response to your application whilst they are chasing a deadline. Writing a follow up email is important as you have done your part as a candidate. If you are still being ghosted take it with a positive attitude even though it is hard, but this vital for your own mindset - Have the attitude of maybe this is not meant for you or there is something better awaiting you.

It's sad, but I often tell clients that there's one certainty in job searching: you'll get ghosted. Hearing nothing more than you hear something can be really frustrating, and the key is not letting it get to you. Ghosting isn't about you; it's about someone else. Whether it's an inability to communicate, overwhelm, corporate rules, or a complete lack of human decency, know that the lack of response is not your fault. You did nothing wrong. You deserved an answer, and you didn't get it, so the best thing you can do is move on. Who wants to work for a company that leaves people in the dark after an interview, anyway!?

It's important not to take it personally or overanalyze especially if you're ghosted after reaching final interview rounds. If you've built a rapport with your interviewers, you can politely request genuine feedback. Keep your approach positive and professional. This can be invaluable, as circumstances can change rapidly in hiring processes—e.g., the selected candidate might decline the offer, putting you back in consideration. Consider consulting a career coach or mentor to systematically reevaluate your approach. Avoid rushed, emotion-driven decisions; a methodical, calm reassessment is key to maintaining professional composure and readiness for future opportunities.

Ghosting should not be acceptable by any means given the facts that candidate took the time for interview(s). At least, the recruiter can show a little courtesy to let the candidate know of any update. This type of recruiter should be flagged / tagged in LinkedIn or other job sites as #GhostRecruiter.

Don't take it personally. Candidates need to understand that hiring managers are overwhelmed by the number of applicants they're managing. Do your due-dilligence following up but if you're not hearing back, move on. Spend that time proactively reaching out about new opportunities.

Ghosting is part of job searching, it's sad but it's true. Don't let it knock your confidence and if it already has, check back in with yourself, you have been successful in job searches before, you will get a job offer again.

Assumptions can be harmful. When a job interviewer ghosts you, please don't assume you know why it happened. For example, don't say, "I didn't hear back because I did _(fill in the blank)__." You don't have any clear supporting evidence that this is true. Still, reflecting on the interview itself can be helpful. Think back to the meeting. Was there a question that you wished you could answer differently? If so, this is your opportunity to find the answer. Was there a skill that you could work on? Now's the time to hone that skill set.

Don't overthink ghosting, they are rude, it's not a reflection of you, it's purely a reflection of their behaviour. If you are feeling insecure, this is what you need to explore. Pinpoint exactly what's holding you back and create a plan to overcome these things.

Ive had recruiters who contacted me for an interview set a time, send a reminder to me, then ghost on the interview!! Such a degraded culture we are moving into. It started with dating apps, now is moving into even the workplace trying to recruit quality candidates. We are in clown world. No excuses..

I learnt my lesson from waiting for too long for a response before. I didn't continue to job hunt whilst waiting ... until it became painfully obvious that they weren't getting back to me. Take it from me, it's best to dust yourself off, try your best to learn where you might have failed in the interview and why they you didn't get hired, and continue to job hunt. This is one of the hardest parts, but don't take it too personally - you have a lot to give and the right job is just around the corner. 'Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures.' — Vincent van Gogh

In the professional world, it's crucial to remember that nothing is certain until a contract is signed. Even if interviews go well, and you feel confident about a position, circumstances can change rapidly. To stay prepared: 1. Continue your job search as if nothing has changed, maintaining momentum and exploring other opportunities. 2. Systematically evaluate and rank each opportunity based on your career goals, preferences, and values. 3. In the event of multiple job offers, this ranking will help you make an informed decision, considering factors like company culture, role responsibilities, growth potential, and compensation. This approach ensures you're not caught off guard and can make the best choice for your career path.

In this current job market if you are putting all of your eggs in one basket, you will experience so many ups and downs in your job search. Keep applying, keep moving forward. Stop making excuses.

Know that you're not alone in being ghosted. Unfortunately, record numbers of people are being ghosted in business and their personal lives. The silent epidemic is real, but resources are available to help you move forward.

Ask for support, ask for feedback from your peers and ask yourself is there anything I can take from this to help me grow and succeed?

Ghosting is sad and unnecessary. After you've spent time applying, researching, prepping, dressing, driving, meeting and/or interviewing the least you deserve is a follow up. In this digital age we live in, with multiple means of electronic communication, there is no excuse for ghosting. To me it means the recruiter and/or company may be unprofessional, disrespectful, and unorganized. After you've done your due diligence with thank you notes, follow up emails and phone calls, only to get dead silence in return, put them in "File 13" and keep it moving. Your time is valuable and if they can't see that, it's not the culture you need anyway. Be encouraged and save your energy for the next search. Remember your "yes" is out there somewhere.

Navigating post-interview silence is tough. Here's concise advice: 1. Wait Patiently: Allow time for the company to decide, understanding delays happen. 2. Follow Up Professionally: Send a polite follow-up email expressing continued interest and seeking an update. 3. Set a Follow-up Deadline: Establish a reasonable timeframe for yourself, aligning with industry norms. 4. Reach Out Again: If initial follow-ups go unanswered, send a second courteous message seeking clarity. 5. Evaluate Your Options: Persistent silence may signal a lack of transparency. Redirect your focus to organizations that prioritize communication and align with your professional values. Invest your time wisely.

Just. Move. On. Don’t waste any of your precious time wondering why. Follow up - yes of course. They can’t give you the courtesy of an update - let them go. Yes it’s sh*t. But don’t let it derail you. Ask what’s next. Take action. Make your own luck. You’ll only get the straight talking stuff from me, no ChatGPT or AI answers here.

Experiencing ghosting by an employer in the past doesn't mean it will happen again in the future. Organizations and their dynamics evolve, with changes in management, processes, and culture. When encountering a new opportunity at a previously unresponsive company, consider the following Stay Open-Minded:Each application is a new opportunity. Learn and Adjust: Reflect on your previous application. What could you improve? Tailor your approach accordingly. Remain Positive: A positive mindset can influence your application's quality and your interactions during the process. Research Changes: Investigate any recent changes in the company that might impact hiring, such as new management or different recruitment strategies.

Ghosting is rude and disrespectful and reflects poorly on the interviewer who did it. However, there may be a valid reason why the person who interviewed you vanished. Maybe they had a family emergency, or something wild happened at the company! If your ghost contacts you and apologizes, consider taking the job. However, if the person calls you, offers you a job, and pretends nothing happened, that's a red flag. Have a conversation to understand better why there was such a massive gap in the response time. Then, use your best judgment when deciding how to proceed.