Job hunting can be hard. Sifting through job postings, crafting an application and acing an interview can feel like a full-time job. It can also be crushing to do all that labor just to get rejected — or, even worse, never hear back at all. So, what should you do if you’re ghosted by an employer during the interview process?
Applying for anything between 21 to 80 jobs gives you only a 30% chance of getting a job offer, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means rejection is part of the process when you are on the job hunt. But that doesn’t make it any more pleasant, especially if you’re left waiting for an answer that never comes. It can be challenging to know how to navigate the situation, especially if you think you nailed the interview or submitted the perfect application. Here’s what you should know.
How Long Should You Wait Before Following Up With a Hiring Manager?
How long you should wait before following up with a hiring manager varies based on factors like how far you’ve gotten in the process and what the employer told you about the timeline. (This is why it’s always key to ask for estimated timelines during interviews!)
Generally, it’s a good rule of thumb to wait at least one week after your last contact with the company to follow up with them. If you still don’t hear an answer to that follow-up, you can wait another week before circling back again.
If you haven’t even been asked to have an interview, you probably shouldn’t contact them again. Many companies don’t send out alerts when they’ve chosen not to proceed with an initial application simply because they get so many. That being said, if you applied for the job because you were contacted by a recruiter or were referred by someone who works at the company, you could attempt to follow up — although you’ll want to give it a few weeks, as it takes time for employers to go through applications and start planning interviews.
Keep in mind that there are several different reasons why a hiring manager may be slow to respond. They may be speaking to many different candidates, they could be busy with other job duties or they might simply have a longer interview process than other companies. It’s normal to want an answer right away, but often, you’ll have to be patient while you wait for more information.
What Should You Say in a Follow-up Email to an Employer?
The best way to follow up with an employer when you haven’t heard from them during the interview process is by email. Keep it professional and courteous — and use it as a chance to remind them of your skills and your passion for the role.
Start with a new email, with a subject line that makes your intentions clear (think: “Following Up on Application”) so that it stands out in their email inbox. In the actual message, you should politely remind them who you are and when you spoke, as they may be interviewing many candidates. Reference something from your previous conversation if you can: for example, you could say, “I enjoyed our chat and read the article you recommended.” This not only reminds them who you are but also shows how invested you were in the interview.
Then, briefly restate your qualifications and emphasize your continued interest in the job. Sign off by asking for an update on the role, noting that you understand it may be a busy time, and that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Keep the email short to be courteous of their time.
The key here is tone: You want to ensure you’re being respectful and polite, while also showing some of your personality to remain memorable and remind them why you’d make a great candidate.
When Is It Time to Move on After Following Up with an Employer?
You may have done well in an interview. You may have sent multiple well-written follow-up emails. You could be immensely qualified for a job. Still, you may never hear back — and as difficult as that is, it’s a sign the position just wasn’t right for you.
Getting ghosted by an employer leaves you without closure. However, if you’ve waited a few weeks and sent up to two follow-up emails, it’s likely time to move on and refocus your efforts on other job opportunities. There’s always a chance you’ll hear from the employer again and they may even have good news! Either way, once accept you’re probably not in the running for the role anymore, you can begin considering what’s next.
What Should You Do After You’re Ghosted by an Employer?
Once you’ve accepted that you’re not hearing back from an employer, take a moment to remind yourself it’s not personal and not necessarily a reflection on your performance. Maybe they hired internally or another candidate had more experience or an important connection. You can review how you could have done better in the interview or tweak your resume but don’t beat yourself up too much. Rejection is common when you’re looking for a new job and it happens to everyone.
Now is the time to keep going with the job hunt. Weed through job postings, reach out to your connections, update your LinkedIn and network as much as possible. While it’s painful to miss out on a job, the one you ultimately land will probably be the better fit overall. In the meantime, it’s important to stay positive, motivated and open to other opportunities.
How to Stay Positive After Being Ghosted by an Employer
Staying positive is easier said than done while looking for a new job, especially if you’ve been ghosted by an employer. But there are ways you can avoid falling into a negative mindset, which only makes the whole process more difficult and unpleasant.
Remember, each interview can benefit you, even if you never hear from the employer again. It’s useful practice for the next one! The more interviews you do, the more comfortable you’ll become. Plus, interviewing can help you narrow down what type of career path and workplace you ultimately want.
There are many job opportunities out there. The search for the right one may be exhausting, especially when employers ghost you during the interview stage. But stay positive and keep going: You’ll find the right one eventually.
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