Ghosted after an interview? Here's how to handle it like a pro 💪

Ben interviewed for a job and it's been 2 weeks since he has heard anything. He sent a text to the recruiter to see if the company has reached out about the position being filled.

Ben constantly refreshes his inbox in hopes of the big news that starts with a congratulations. The phone doesn't ring, and the congratulations email never comes. Ben says, "I think the recruiter is ghosting me!"

Ghosting happens when a recruiter or hiring manager stops communication with you without warning. This has become a common behavior during the interview process.

How should you handle being ghosted after an interview?

You might be ghosted after an interview when a recruiter or hiring manager:

• Has a heavy workload, including many candidates who need interviews.

• May have poor time management skills.

• Isn't confident when rejecting candidates.

• Has filled or eliminated the position.

Photo by The Jopwell Collection on Unsplash

Employers and recruiters ghosting candidates is very common, so try not to take it personally.

• Don't wait more than 10-14 days to send a follow-up email. In your email, ask if the position has been filled, mention something you enjoyed talking with them about, and ask about future opportunities.

• Don't hesitate to reach out to a second point of contact. A recruiter can get information about the position and see if the timeline has changed for hiring.

• Don't take it personally. It helps to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or career coach about being ghosted. Talking through what happened will help you feel better.

If you've been ghosted after an interview:

• Stay calm and levelheaded. Try relaxing before you send a text or call to confront anyone who isn't getting back to you. You don't want to say something you'll regret or jump to conclusions.

• Stay focused on building your skills and applying for jobs. Don't let one ghosting experience stop your job search.

When you build your skillset, you become more confident, ready to interview, and more likely to complete more job applications. Consider ghosting a hiccup along the way. Before you know it, there will be more interviews.

Which scenario is best for handling being ghosted after an interview?

A: Joey was ghosted after an interview at a clothing store. He sent an email to the hiring manager to say he really wanted the job, and he included a lookbook of outfits for the coming season. Joey also mentioned his online store that sells out every week. Joey then completed an application for another store, including his lookbook of fashion and mentioning his immediate availability for work.

B: Elle hasn't heard back from a publishing company, so she emailed the hiring manager a total of 3 times in 2 weeks. She decided to call the recruiter and ask if going to the headquarters is a good idea. She wants to talk face-to-face. Elle is being proactive in her thought process. The recruiter says to give her a few days to reach out on Elle's behalf. She lets Elle know to expect a call back.