You showed up early. You prepped your talking points. You sent the thank-you email. You were in it. Then...silence. One week turns into two. Your inbox becomes your nemesis. Every LinkedIn notification gives you false hope. You're wondering if you're overreacting or just got professionally ghosted after the interview.
Ghosting candidates is never OK—not after a first interview, not after a final round, and certainly not after you’ve discussed salary expectations. “A good recruiter or HR person does not ghost people,” says Sharon DeLay, a senior certified HR professional and owner of GO-HR, an HR consulting firm. Yet it still happens, way more than it should.
Why do recruiters ghost? Well, hiring can be messy behind the scenes—people go on leave, priorities shift, and budgets vanish. But you deserve communication—even if it’s a no. “Even if you’re not a good fit now, you might be later and a good recruiter will keep channels open with good candidates,” DeLay says.
If you’re feeling strung along, you might be right. Let’s break down the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ghosting signs based on where you are in the process—and what you can actually do about it.
Ghosting signs after the first interview
The first interview went well, and you're waiting to hear back about the next steps.
1. The “we’ll be in touch soon” line...with no follow-up
You wrapped your first interview and they said they’d be in touch by the end of the week. You even double-checked the timeline. But now it’s radio silence. No update. No rejection. Just that weird empty echo in your inbox.
What to do:
Wait a few business days past the expected follow-up window, then send a short, polite check-in email. If there’s no response after that, move on. You deserve a recruiter who respects your time.
2. The follow-up email you sent got ignored
You sent a well-crafted follow-up a few days after the interview. No typos. No pressure. Just a friendly nudge. And then…nothing.
What to do:
If you're really interested, you can follow up once more a week later. If they still don’t respond, consider it a sign. Ghosting after one round is common but still rude. Keep your momentum going elsewhere.
3. They viewed your LinkedIn profile but didn’t reply
Yes, you saw the notification. It’s giving “I’m checking in on you but don’t want to talk.” If a recruiter is peeking at your profile post-interview without responding to your follow-up, it can be a sign they’re moving on without having the decency to say so.
What to do:
Keep applying and keep your energy focused where it’s reciprocated.
Check out these amazing job opportunities on The Muse and keep your options open »
Signs you're getting ghosted after the final interview
Interview processes are time and energy consuming. You interviewed with multiple people and even delivered a case study, so respect for your time and knowledge is the bare minimum.
4. They said “just a few final details”...and now it’s been weeks
You made it to the final interview. You met the team. They said they were just wrapping up logistics or “finalizing things internally.” That was three weeks ago.
What to do:
Reach out with a message like: “Just checking in to see if there are any updates on next steps. I remain very interested in the role.” If they still don’t reply? You’re probably not their top choice—or the role’s on hold and no one wants to admit it yet.
5. Your recruiter was super responsive…and now has vanished
Before, they were replying within hours. Now? It’s been a week, maybe two. You also noticed a change in their tone. “If a recruiter’s pace of communications slows down, or they suddenly change from being very detailed and informal in their communication or tone to broad, formal communication, that’s probably a sign,” DeLay says.
What to do:
Send a short note to another contact at the company if you have one—especially if you’ve already had several rounds. You can say you’re trying to respectfully close the loop on timing. If everyone is silent, it might be time to close the loop yourself.
6. You see the job reposted or relisted
This one stings. You interviewed, felt great, and then bam—the job’s back up on LinkedIn with a new posting date.
What to do:
Painful as it is, that’s usually a signal they’re moving on. If you need closure, you can ask for confirmation: “Hi, I noticed the role was reposted—should I assume you’ve decided to move forward with other candidates?”
Read this next: The Truth About Ghost Jobs: What They Are and How to Spot Them
Signs you're being ghosted after receiving the offer
We know it sounds surreal, but unfortunately, it can happen.
7. You received a verbal offer—but nothing in writing
The recruiter said in a call or in person that they’re offering you the job. Yay! Except…days pass, and you never receive an official offer letter.
What to do:
Follow up immediately and ask for a written offer before making any decisions. If they start stalling or giving vague answers like “we’re waiting on approvals,” ask for a timeline. If they keep dodging, something’s off.
8. They said they’d “get back to you with final numbers” and disappeared
You were in the middle of negotiating salary or benefits. You made your counteroffer. They said they’d run it by the team and circle back. That was a while ago.
What to do:
Follow up, but set a deadline for your own peace of mind. “Just checking in on next steps regarding the offer. If I don’t hear back by X date, I’ll assume the timing is no longer aligned.” Be polite but direct—your time matters too.
9. You already accepted the offer, but haven't heard anything since
No welcome email. No onboarding instructions. No start date confirmed. You’re supposed to begin soon, but the silence is starting to feel loud.
What to do:
This could be a paperwork delay—or a red flag. Ask directly: “I’m excited to get started and just want to confirm that everything is still on track for my start date.” If they can’t give you that basic clarity, proceed with caution and consider backup plans.
If you're being ghosted by recruiter, remember:
- It’s not about you. Most of the time, ghosting is about disorganized hiring processes, poor communication, or internal chaos—not your performance.
- Follow up once or twice, then move on. Your energy is valuable. Don’t waste it waiting on people who won’t respect your time.
- Keep applying and interviewing. Momentum is your friend. Don’t let one silent recruiter derail your whole search.
- You deserve better. A company that ghosts during hiring is likely to ghost in other ways too. Consider this your early red flag.
You don’t have to stay haunted
Recruiter ghosting hurts. It messes with your confidence and makes you second-guess your worth. But remember: A company’s silence doesn’t reflect your value; it only reflects their process. Keep showing up. Keep applying. Keep asking for what you deserve. And above all, don’t let ghosting dim your shine. You're not “too sensitive” for wanting basic respect. You're just human—and you deserve better than silence.