What to do when you've been GHOSTED after an interview

[@philipjnz9923]

I did 6 interviews with several members of a company. 1 on the phone, 1 in person, and 4 online, the company praised their work environment and culture all along. Them ghosting me after wasting this much of my time honestly speaks a lot about the company.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

That is so disappointing and frustrating! I’m so sorry that happened. How long has it been since you’ve heard from them?

[@philipjnz9923]

@@LifeWorkBalance I had my final interview last week Friday 28th. They said id get an email by Monday 31st (today). I know it’s probably a bit soon but Monday is almost over. Also, I was in constant contact with the recruiter that brought me onboard before each day of each interview.. after my final interview she stopped responding my messages and my calls go directly to voicemail 😪 so I think its most likely a sign they didnt want me. Just makes me wonder how I passed all of the interviews and on the last one I guess they decided I wasnt good enough lol

[@LifeWorkBalance]

@@philipjnz9923 While I can see why you might be feeling worried, I would give them a few extra days. If your interview was on Friday, it's very possible they may be trying to get some other admin stuff worked out. While it is weird that your calls are going straight to voicemail, and they said you'd hear from them by yesterday, I am not sure they've ghosted you yet! I would recommend sending a final email to the recruiter (and possibly the hiring manager/your future supervisor if you know their contact information?? Or find them on LinkedIn and send them a message?). I'd say something like, "I hope you had a nice weekend! I am reaching out because you mentioned in my interview on Friday (1/28) that I'd hear about next steps by Monday (1/31) via email. I didn't receive an email, and while I am sure you have a lot on your plate, I just wanted to check in to see if there's any additional information I can provide to help with your hiring decision. I really enjoyed my final interview with your team, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you!" I hope that helps! Keep me in the loop, I'd love to know if they get back to you or not! Best of luck :)

[@philipjnz9923]

@@LifeWorkBalance You’re right, it might be a bit too soon for me to conclude. I do have some of the contact info for the managers I interviewed with so I will give it till tomorrow and email them then. The recruiter never replying is very strange, but I heard from other places that this is common practice now days. This is just the first time this happens to me so ill learn from it for future interviews. Anyways, thank you so much for caring, it means a lot! I will for sure use your email example when I reach out. Ill keep you updated.

[@philipjnz9923]

@@LifeWorkBalance So yesterday morning I emailed one of the higher ups that I had an interview with and I said pretty much something along the line of what you suggested. (he never answered but…) Magically, about an hour and a half later I received a call from the recruiter and she apologized for not answering my calls/msgs and gave me some phone service excuse. She told me they will be offering the position to me and I should expect an email Thursday or Friday with more details 😂 sooo heres to hoping they dont ghost me again 🤞🏼Anyway, thank you for the help and giving me hopes!!

[@katehines7916]

I was recently ghosted by an employer after going on an in-person interview with them. They told me that it would most likely not be a month before I heard from them. Probably around two weeks later. Two weeks go by. Nothing. Not even a rejection letter. In my opinion, if you interview you should get a rejection letter or call if not accepted. It's rude if the company doesn't do that. But unfortunately its something that a lot of younger hiring managers are doing now a-days

[@LifeWorkBalance]

How disappointing! I am sorry you were ghosted even after they told you when you would expect to hear back from them! Did you reach out and still did not receive a response?? I completely agree, I think it is a basic courtesy for organizations to let candidates know they are not moving forward as early as possible so no one is waiting around for a response. Honestly, I don't think it has much to do with age, and more to do with not wanting to engage with conflict! I think most hiring managers feel better about "ghosting" candidates rather than telling them directly they are not moving forward. This doesn't make much sense to me! Best wishes for your job search. I hope your next interview doesn't result in a ghost!

[@parrotsvspyramid7119]

3:43 - No. Regardless of the situation people that Ignore Are sending a Clear message that you are Not a priority to them. If they are interested in your application they will stay in touch. Being overloaded is a symptom of inefficiency, stress and something to avoid.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

While I want to fully agree with you, I also know we have to exercise empathy and compassion toward the hiring team as well. While it would be nice if every organization had their stuff together and didn’t get overloaded, that’s just not realistic! At the same time, this doesn’t mean we always going to accept the excuse of “they’re overloaded.” Sometimes it IS a red flag and we need to turn and run the other way as quickly as we can. Thanks for watching!!

[@gamingsportz3390]

If a company ghosted you even with good qualifications then you dodged a bullet.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

100% agree!

[@tigerbite923]

I have recently been ghosted by an employer after going through 3 interviews and a tour around the offices with introductions. I really thought it would be a great fit. I havent heard back after two weeks and a couple of e-mails to recruiter and hiring manager. Not even a rejection letter. Its really unfortunate

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Oh I am so sorry 😣 it is the worst to be ghosted, ESPECIALLY after that kind of effort….you really do have to wonder why anyone would spend the time and effort going through this process and then not take 5 minutes to get back to the people they’re interviewing. It sounds like you’ve done all you can do by reaching out to both the hiring manager and recruiter. I’m sorry they haven’t gotten back to you and I hope you have a better experience with your next interview process.

[@katec9893]

It's not unfortunate, it's downright atrociously rude, unprofessional and unacceptable. The only positive is that you avoided working for a company who treats people with this much contempt. It's just happened to me too, in all my years of working I've never encountered this before and I find it unbelievable. It doesn't take 2 minutes to send a 'sorry you werent successful this time, good luck in your job search' type email. Ghosting makes it all feel very personal like we did something so wrong they are now pretending we don't exist. We have to push back against this being normalised.

[@joecater894]

@@katec9893 I think they should write it into law.. as in...you can be sued for not reponding to terminate the application process... not sued millions or even thousands.. but liable for the interviewees costs and compensation.. a minor sum. but enough to force employers to actually terminate the application with a simple "thanks for showing interest, but no cigar". email.. its important, because without that an employee can (and almost always will) tone down other job searching or may even reject other lesser opportunities.. its inevitible. Some might think that is extreme or controlling... but I say.. it can very negatively impact on the employee if the employer is doing that..

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

Tiger Bite - same exact thing happened to me about a month ago - not even a quick rejection email - I always think that if this is how the employer treats candidates in the interview process, just imagine how they will treat you as an employee. I have a few friends looking for a new gig and ghosting is getting ridiculously common. It's unfortunate and very unprofessional.

[@waikit828]

I finished a final interview, and the recruiter said I got a great feedback from the hiring manager. The recruiter said let’s talk asap, and I’ve been ghosted since then. I emailed a couple times to follow up and have gotten no response so far. Now I am trying to move on from it.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Ugh, what a bummer! I’m so disappointed to hear that was your experience. Did you happen to get the hiring managers name and email? Have you tried reaching out to them directly? Sometimes the recruiter drops the ball. While I hope it’s a misunderstanding, I also know it’s sometimes better to just move on, hope it doesn’t happen again, and appreciate the experience of interviewing. I’m sorry this happened to you!

[@waikit828]

@@LifeWorkBalance 🙂 I just sent an email to the hiring manager. If she does not get back to me, that means I am officially ghosted and have to move on. Thanks!

[@LifeWorkBalance]

@@waikit828 Great! Fingers crossed the hiring manager gets back to you. Let us know what happens!

[@waikit828]

@@LifeWorkBalance unfortunate I am also ghosted by the hiring manager. I already moved on and realized that company would not be a good one because the way it ghosts its candidates.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

I think you’ve made the right choice for you. It never feels good to be ghosted and moving on is the best we can do in this situation! I hope your next experience is better than this one!

[@zefrontg60]

Assuming best intentions! So helpful to know! Im really glad you pointed that out, that really helps me put it in perspective and it makes me feel more positive. 🙂

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Thank you for watching! I am so glad this helped put things into perspective and is helping you feel more positive. Best of luck in your job search!

[@abrahamcastellanos3281]

Good advices you gave us, this information is very useful, you´ve got a new KZbin subscriber. Greetings from Mexico.

[@talitaavanessian9213]

I’m so traumatized by ghosting that I don’t want to interview anymore with nobody else. Seriously thinking on open my own business hahaha

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Being ghosted during the interview process is SO TERRIBLE!! I'm sorry to hear it has happened to you so often. Starting your own business could work - it also comes with its share of stressors. If you're looking to do some interview prep, feel free to reach out to me directly via email: [e-mail]. You can check out my services here: lwbalance.com/services/pricing/ I might be able to help you stop getting ghosted by having an incredible interview!

[@julioo534]

If that happens again just apply to multiple job offers at the same time and don't waste your time finding out the why

[@MikeTXBC]

At the end of EVERY interview, I specifically ask them if they'll get back to me even if I don't get the job. Every single hiring manager has said "yes!" in some clearly understood form or another. However, they NEVER do. I'm not exaggerating here. They ALWAYS promise and they NEVER follow through on that promise. Obviously, I want to be hired, but this isn't even about that. It's about employers showing the most basic level of decency and common courtesy to do what you said you would. People often respond here with, "Well, you dodged a bullet, who'd want to work in a place like that anyway?" I'd agree if this was an anomaly, but it's actually the norm, so it gets to a point where you either think that no company is worth working for (and there are those who promote that line of thinking) or you end up having to endure countless waves of dishonesty. Let me be clear here: I'm not upset at not getting the job. My issue here is simply that if someone promises they'll do something, they should do it. If employers have no intention of ever getting back to candidates they've interviewed who don't make the cut, that's fine, but TELL ME. Don't act like you'll do something you'll never do. Unfortunately, expecting people to be honest and keep to their word seems to be a hopeless endeavor, so at this point, I don't trust anything any hiring manager says because no hiring manager has ever given me reason to trust them. Some people would say that I shouldn't let bad experiences color my interactions, but at what point do I go from "keeping an open mind" to "acting like a naive fool" when I'm repeatedly lied to or misled? Additionally... how is this practice for interviews when you never, ever get any sort of feedback at all? How are you supposed to improve? It'd be like learning a foreign language, but with no one to ever correct your grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. Sure, you'd get "experience" using that language, but you'd never know if you were using it correctly or incorrectly, so how does that help. especially when you might be making the same mistake over and over and never know because you don't get feedback?

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Ugh, I can feel your frustration! I am sorry you keep experiencing this and it's such a pattern for you - I really wish it weren't the case. I agree - it would be one thing to not get the job and to receive feedback as to why you weren't selected. It's another to not get the job (allegedly) with no feedback or communication whatsoever. I wonder if you could ask for a specific person's name and contact information and confirm that you will be reaching out to them in X days to follow up? That may put more pressure on them to respond? I would recommend (if you haven't already) that you watch my video on 3 different types of questions to ask at the end of an interview. You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn3ap5ilebSSg5o I've also got 2 more videos on this topic. You could ask the "hard questions" at the end of your interview to receive feedback. The only caveat is this feedback is only helpful when the interviewers are willing to be honest with you, and like you've mentioned, they may not be honest with you since they are appearing to ghost you after your interviews. Again, I am sorry you are encountering this ghosting over and over again. It is really disappointing and frustrating, and I hope things get better for you soon and you can find a job that treats you well during the interview and ultimately extends you an offer.

[@dexkato7329]

Reject is a part of the interview process! Don't take it personally, it's just business.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Great advice! It's still hard to get rejected/ghosted, regardless of if it is your first or 20th (or more :( ) rejection/ghosting.

[@selfhelp9175]

I was ghosted after the written job offer. The Hiring Process involved a phone interview, a Skype interview with 2 managers, reference checks, credit checks (a pre-employment credit check stays on your credit report for 5 years by the way) , and criminal checks. Which I passed all of them. When I finally got to read the final contract 57k plus health insurance, it forbid workers from finding/working a second job. I then ask if it was ok for me to work at my local charity for 2 hours a month (as that is my line of work). The HR Talent Acquisition Manager emailed me saying she was more than happy to support that type of secondary employment but had to ask my potential future manager that if they were ok with that too. Then at that point I was ghosted.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Wow, what a disappointing experience! I am so sorry to hear you went through the whole hiring process just to be ghosted like that over an odd contract requirement. That seems like a lot of hoops for both you as the candidate and the employer to go through just for them to ghost you. I am so sorry you had such a negative experience! I hope your next hiring experience is much better!!

[@mycomedylife8711]

I was recently ghosted. However, where I normally would handle like you state, I’m tired of companies doing this. Today I rescinded my application because just like they’re interviewing to see if I’m the right fit, I’m trying to see if they are. Lack of communication at courtesy told me everything I need to know.

[@mycomedylife8711]

And courtesy*

[@LifeWorkBalance]

I am so tired of companies doing this too. I think rescinding your application is perfectly acceptable, because like you said: they are interviewing you and you are interviewing them to find best fit! If they partake in "ghosting" they're not the right fit.

[@simondevilly3318]

Excellent advice. Thank you.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nick_Nightingale]

90% of modern recruiters/hiring managers are lazy or incompetent. It takes a couple of seconds to send out an email thanking candidates for their time and wishing them luck. At this point in time candidates can give feed back on review forums like Google reviews, Indeed.. even Yelp. Be respectful yet honest and don't name individuals but let the world know that this company ghosted you and give them a negative review. It's funny a couple of years ago I read a negative review about a company ghosting a candidate but decided to interview with them anyway. Low and behold they did the same thing to me. I left them a negative review detailing my experience and YEARS later the CEO of the company replied to my post apologizing and asking if I would like to do another interview. I had already moved on but that is an example of holding companies accountable for bad behavior.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Hi Don! Thanks for watching. I agree - it takes just a few moments to send out an email thanking candidates and wishing them luck and it is unfortunate this doesn't happen more often. Leaving a review is a good idea, at the same time, you want to make sure your review is helpful. Like you said: respectful yet honest. Thank you for sharing your experience and I sincerely hope you don't experience ghosting again!!

[@orozcoaj69]

Great video. Thank you 😊 How soon should you follow up?

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Thanks for watching! I’d recommend following up in 1 week increments. For your first follow up, follow up the week after your interview - probably a minimum of 3 business days. After that, give it another week and follow up for the second time. If you don’t hear anything, it’s probably time to start moving on. Thanks again for watching!

[@jamespalmer7247]

I was ghosted around this time last year after doing a Zoom interview with three employees at the company and doing a test project. Screw them, I say. That's when I stopped looking altogether. I'll just stay where I am and retire in a few years.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Ugh, what a bummer!! I’m sorry you were ghosted last year. Sometimes hunkering down in a job that you’re comfortable in (as long as it’s not toxic) is the right choice for the time being. I wish you the best as you near retirement!

[@juliebrickley2562]

How comes other people gets multiple dj bookings that people like me doesn't get a single dj job

[@asgharakram]

CVS , 3 interviews shadow 2hr. then silence

[@Thom5972]

After the interview they sent 2 emails saying they like my interview and is in the final stages of hiring. I sent a follow-up email but no answer.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

I’m so sorry to hear that - it is SO frustrating when you don’t hear back. Did you watch this video too? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGbSoIN3fderkJYsi=wy0MLALq9OrnkLzb I recommend following up 2 times. It’s possible they aren’t ghosting you and something came up. It’s also possible they’ve decided to move in a different direction and you need to move in a different direction as well. I hope it’s not the latter!

[@GamerGrl90]

I had once interviewed with a well known corporation. She said I'd hear back on Monday or Tuesday. I called back to follow up on Thursday, and the interviewers boss proceeded to scream up and down that she didn't know who I was, or that I was even interviewed. When I asked for a letter to give to social security disability, she screamed at me louder that she "doesn't have to do shit" and she just signs a "stupid piece of paper".

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Oh my goodness!!! What a terrible experience! I don't know about you, but I think I would feel lucky for dodging that opportunity. That gives you some insight into their culture, I definitely wouldn't want someone like that modeling leadership behavior in my organization! I am so sorry that happened to you, and I hope you've had better experiences since!

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

What about salary negotiation after the recruiter (not the HR or manager) says that the salary is non negotiable? I had one tell me this recently. I did the interview anyway, it was good practice.... but I was wondering if that was really the bottom line, or was the recruiter just saying this to get a bigger commission? Would it be appropriate to email the HR or manager and tell them why I am declining the position? Does the recruiter tell them??

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Thanks for watching! Salary negotiation really depends. For example, Colorado (USA) has a new law called the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. This law requires that someone’s salary is based off of their education and experience and can’t deviate from the already established amount. So someone who has a bachelors degree and 3 years of experience will get paid the same amount as anyone else in that position with that same education and experience. There’s not really any room for negotiation from a salary standpoint. However you could negotiate something that isn’t monetary, like additional accruals of PTO, or increased contributions to your retirement, or ability to work a flexible schedule. I think it is perfectly acceptable to communicate with the hiring manager/HR as to why you are declining. I would recommend emailing them and thanking them for the opportunity. At that time you can also disclose why you are declining. I hope this helps!

[@mariowalker9048]

I had someone who said they were gonna interview me in a few days but never did and find out they already selected someone.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Ugh, that is the WORST. I am sorry this happened to you. Sometimes organizations will keep job postings open until filled, which can create scenarios like this. I hope you don't experience this again! Best wishes in your job search 💜

[@bolalokesh2786]

I have completed my Bosch writex assessment final hr round on July 26. Till, I didn't get any result of this and I sent mail to them but, they didn't respond and if I am shortlisted then directly company will reach out to you and my friends got offer letter but till I didn't get shortlisted neither selected nor rejected. They, put me on dilemma. What is this. Is there I am ghosted?

[@LifeWorkBalance]

It's possible you were ghosted, which is very unfortunate and I am sorry you experienced this! If you tried reaching out to them several times and heard nothing in response, it might be best to continue your job search elsewhere. I am sending you good, positive thoughts for your next experience!

[@videosmithlaguna]

Had a great two interviews. Sent a email a day after and got a good response. Did not hear anything for a month so I sent another email two days ago and I have not heard anything. Should i send the same email in a text to the recruiters number!

[@LifeWorkBalance]

WHAT A BUMMER! How exhausting.If it has been over a month and you haven't heard anything it may be time to move on, which is such a disappointing decision. If you want to spend time and effort reaching out to the recruiter via text, you certainly can, but with the amount of time you've waited thus far, it may not do anything. I hope you can find a position and interview process that does not end in ghosting like this one! Best wishes to you.

[@julioo534]

Do nothing.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Sometimes we just need to move on.

[@hirampriggott1689]

I get ghosted on average ten times more than I get rejections.

[@LifeWorkBalance]

Ugh, that is so disheartening... I am sorry this has been your experience!