Who among us hasn’t felt that magical chemistry with a hiring manager and left that interview certain you had a bright professional future together—only to have them fall completely out of touch? The process proceeded from multiple interviews to discussions that indicated finalist status (like follow-up on salary), but just when you thought there was a really good chance you’d get hired… crickets.
Suddenly, the interviewer won’t return your emails or answer your calls. They don't even have the decency to tell you someone else got the job instead. Instead, you see the listing disappear from the company’s website, only to be replaced shortly after with a shiny new face on the team page. You got ghosted by the recruiter.
We feel your pain. But before you start sharing angry LinkedIn posts and warning all your friends to stay away from this two-timing company, we’ve got some advice on how to handle being ghosted by recruiters—and a few reasons why it might be happening to you.
Why do recruiters ghost?
A whopping 61% of job seekers have experienced being ghosted after a job interview, according to the 2024 State of Job Hunting report by Greenhouse. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, and most are related to the current state of the job market as a whole and individual company policies.
- Competitive market: The job market is increasingly competitive, especially for white collar workers, with employers often facing dozens of applicants to evaluate. In larger companies with multiple departments, it can be tough and time-consuming to respond to everyone. On top of that, artificial intelligence (AI) has made applying for jobs easier, which can overwhelm employers with a flood of applications.
- Internal hire: It's not uncommon for companies to hire internal candidates—people who already work there—who demonstrate interest and compatibility with the role. This can save them money and time with training and onboarding. Not to mention, hiring managers already know the internal candidate fits with the company culture and coworkers.
- Financial downturn: Sometimes—especially at the end or the beginning of a fiscal quarter—companies realize they need to cut costs. Besides laying off employees, some will freeze any hiring process in motion and readjust their teams as needed. While there are employers out there that would offer candidates an explanation if this were to happen, others would simply ghost.
- The fear factor: In a recent Forbes article, senior contributor Jack Kelly reported that companies fear being accused of discrimination if they provide feedback to rejected candidates. At the risk of being “canceled” on social media or being sued, they prefer to say nothing.
- No feedback policy: Because of the fear factor and other internal policies, hiring managers aren't always authorized to give feedback to applicants. If you're not ghosted, the best you might get is a standard, “You aren’t a match for the opportunity at this time.”
- Understaffed companies: Whether by choice (to cut costs) or inability to fill open positions, some companies have understaffed hiring teams, which could severely impact their ability to get back to all candidates. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the professional and business services industry were one of the most affected by labor shortage in 2024.
How to handle being ghosted by recruiters: Dos and don’ts
Now you know why you might be getting ghosted. But that’s only half the answer to this predicament. For anyone left asking, “A recruiter ghosted me, what should I do next?” we have some advice.
1. Don’t send an “I’m better off without you” email
One of the ways to get over missing out on a big opportunity is to think through all the reasons why you’re really better off without it. Maybe the organization is third in its field, and you think you're really more of a number one company type of person.
Maybe you also feel really hurt that you spent hours applying to this company, and the fact that the hiring manager won’t acknowledge that with a “thank you for your time” email means you think the organization doesn’t care about people.
Feel that way, but do not put these feelings in an email to anyone who works there. No matter how professionally you think you’re phrasing your dismay, writing an angry email to a potential employer is never a good idea. If this is a big fish, you may want to apply there again someday, and you’ll be glad that you didn’t burn any bridges.
2. Do evaluate what you could've done better
In most cases, being ghosted by a recruiter isn’t your fault. But if it keeps happening, it might be worth taking a step back and doing a self-assessment. Here's a checklist:
- Are you coming to interviews well-prepared? A great resume can get your foot in the door, but your interview performance is what opens it. Though preparing for interviews can feel overwhelming, it’s so important to practice responses to common questions.
- Are you asking the right questions? As a candidate, you should also interview the interviewer, coming prepared with thoughtful questions that show you've researched the company and are truly interested in the role. It’s also perfectly fine to ask about next steps and when you can expect to hear from them again.
- Are you following up after interviews? While it's not mandatory, sending a thank-you email to the recruiter after an interview is a nice gesture that could prompt them to get back to you later in the process.
If you're not getting any calls or phone screening after submitting your resume, it could be because it's outdated or not tailored to the jobs you're applying for. Many companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter candidates, so it’s crucial to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly.
3. Don’t let it affect your other applications
You want to learn from experience. So, after a company ghosts you, you want to be extra diligent with future companies. When an interviewer says, they'll “be in touch with next steps early next week,” you want to be sure that’s not a non-committal “I’ll call you.” Is early next week Monday or Tuesday? What exactly are the next steps? When can you check in again?
Suddenly, you’ve transformed from a top candidate to an obsessive, impatient question asker—not at all the impression you were trying to make. So, as hard as it may be, you need to let it go and remember that each hiring process will be different. Getting ghosted sucks, but carrying that baggage around to your next interview isn’t doing you any favors.
Read this next: How to Stay Calm When Waiting to Hear Back From a Recruiter
4. Do remember that some things are out of your control
Yes, you can swear that if you’re ever on the other side of the hiring process, you’ll make sure every single candidate is informed of the outcome and thanked for the effort they spent applying. But before you assume your interviewer is just evil, remember it could be a company policy that they have no control over.
Even if the interviewer isn’t following a company policy, there’s another simple truth to remember: You can’t control how they perceive you—even if you do everything right. There are numerous factors at play beyond your qualifications or skills, and many are subjective. For example, companies often look for candidates who align with their values and culture, but there's no universal handbook for that—it varies between employers. So: Not in your control.
Remembering this can help you feel less angry at the company and at yourself. Instead, focus on learning from the experience and building thicker skin for the next round of applications.
Bounce back from ghosting
When you apply for a job, it’s because you’re hoping to get hired. Getting ghosted by recruiters is disappointing, and getting ghosted can be all the more upsetting. Bouncing back, staying positive, and keeping an eye out for the next opportunity may not be easy, but it’ll help you keep going during a long job search.
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Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.