When Employers “Ghost:” What It Is And How To React

You’ve found an opening for your dream job and finally feel confident enough to adjust your resume, perfect your cover letter, and reach out to the appropriate references in order to apply. When all is said and done, you’ve landed an interview and to your knowledge -- everything went well. Still, a considerable amount of time has passed and you haven’t heard back from the employer. This phenomenon -- commonly referred to as being “ghosted” is unfortunately becoming an increasingly popular occurrence across organizations and as a candidate in this position, you might be wondering what your next move should be when hit with this frustrating and unfair trend. Fortunately, Nexus has got you covered. Keep reading for our five best tips on how to handle corporate ghosting. 

Understand why employers might “ghost” a candidate

In a perfect world, each position you apply to but didn’t land would result in a detailed explanation of why you were not chosen for the role or at least given an interview. However, in reality, you might never know the exact reason an employer has “ghosted” you, but being aware of some possible causes can help you switch your focus on new positions or allow you to continue perfecting your hiring materials and interview skills.

Below are just three common explanations as to why you might not be hearing back from a prospective employer:

They have already filled the position: If you have not heard back from an employer after submitting your application, it may be because they have already filled this position. Perhaps you applied to an old job listing that is no longer being monitored or the hiring manager simply did not see a point in letting multiple candidates know they were not chosen -- especially after a large amount of time has passed. 

You were not qualified for the position: Unfortunately, some employers may not reach out to a candidate simply because they did not see that person as a good fit for the role. If you are certain that you have the necessary skills and qualifications but still have no luck receiving an offer, try reworking your resume and cover letter or working on your soft skills to be sure you are reflecting your best self on your hiring materials and throughout your interviews. 

The hiring manager or recruiter is busy: Finding the perfect candidate can be time-consuming. Even after the ideal candidate has been identified, it doesn’t necessarily mean all of the recruiter or hiring manager’s work is done. It’s possible that while focusing on negotiating a salary and benefits package with the new hire, waiting on their official acceptance, and completing their onboarding, the person responsible for informing other candidates that they were not chosen is simply busy. In this case, it may take a while to hear back from the employer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you were officially “ghosted.” In this case, you might need to follow up with the employer.

Consider whether you have truly been “ghosted” and then follow up

First and foremost, before you take any action, it’s important to consider the fact if you have truly been “ghosted” or if your prospective employer is just still in the process of deciding who will or will not continue with the interview process or to whom they will offer a position. Taking this into consideration is especially important based on what the employer has told you and how far along you were in the process. For example, after submitting your initial application, it can typically take an organization up to two weeks to reach out to potential candidates. In addition, the further along you are in the hiring process, the less time it should take in between interviews and especially if the previous interviewer or hiring manager has given you an expected timeline. 

As a rule of thumb, if you have not heard back from an employer after five to seven business days after an interview round, it is then appropriate to follow up. The amount of detail that goes into your follow-up message can depend on where you were in the hiring process. For example, if you have already been interviewed, be sure to include specific details about the topics discussed and highlight your own interests or skills that will benefit you in this role. Regardless, be sure to show you are still interested in the role and are looking forward to hearing from them again. 

Remain professional

Giving your all to a prospective employer and getting nothing in return can be frustrating. You’ve put a lot of time and effort into finding the right position and then submitting the appropriate materials, finding references, and preparing for an interview. Despite all of your effort, you continue to not get any insight regarding your application. Now what?

When you’ve had a negative experience such as being ghosted, it can be tempting to use this opportunity to speak poorly about the employer by turning to social media or sites like Glassdoor to leave an equally-negative review of the employer and your experiences. Of course you want to accurately and fairly share your story, but you also need to remember to put your emotions aside and keep everything you say about the employer neutral and professional in order to help prospective candidates learn more.

When it comes to future interviews -- whether for the same employer or for other companies, remember that talking poorly about the hiring process or hiring managers of any organization can be a red flag. Instead, if the topic does come up in an interview, try to turn the experience into a positive one by explaining what you learned from the situation and how it ultimately got you to where you are now.

In the event that your review is seen by the employer or your interview-mishap makes it’s way back to the company, this could significantly hurt your chances of ever getting a job there or with anyone who may have mutual connections in other organizations. Instead, send a quick thank-you note as an easy way to close this chapter in your job search while remaining friendly and professional with everyone involved.

Focus on the positives

Searching for a new position can feel like a never-ending process and when the search continues to come up empty, it can be easy to begin doubting your abilities or overthinking each application and interview. In this situation, it’s best to focus on any positive circumstances that have come out of the situation rather than the negative. At the very least, you’ve gained interview experience and have possibly even expanded your professional network with the hiring managers and recruiters you encountered throughout the entire process.

Additionally, try to remember that when a position is right for you, the opportunity will not pass you. Each ignored application, rejection email, or ghosted interview process gets you one step closer to the place you want to be. Plus, when you finally do find that perfect position, you will know it is with an organization that truly values your skills and abilities and one that was honest and reliable throughout the hiring process. 

Continue your job search

Moving on with your job search can be difficult if you’re still waiting on other employers -- especially those that you were really looking forward to, but putting a premature stop on your job search is counterproductive and can essentially be a waste of time. It increases your chances of missing out on landing a new opportunity, growing your network, and moving closer toward your goals. Your job search should only come to an end once you’ve gotten a formal offer or have signed a contract to officially accept an offer. 

In order to successfully find your next role, you’ll need to keep an open mind and continue looking for new possibilities. If you’re not sure where to look next, contact Nexus for a personalized hiring experience. Our team of experienced recruitment experts is ready to help you find even more opportunities that perfectly align with your skills. Click the image below to get started!