How to handle being ghosted during a job search

What to do when that awkward silence appears during an application process

Valentine’s Day is over, but it got us thinking about how much job hunting is like dating. And, just like in the dating game, there’s nothing worse during a job hunt than being ghosted.

You’re left wondering whether you’re still being considered, whether to follow up, or whether it’s time to move on.

The most useful way to approach it is as a practical situation rather than a personal one.

Photo by Anthony Hortin on Unsplash

Why organisations ghost

Ghosting isn’t always deliberate. Common reasons include:

• hiring timelines slipping or roles being paused

• decisions sitting with multiple stakeholders, none of whom are driving the process

• recruiters managing too many roles at once

• discomfort with sending rejections

• unclear ownership of candidate communication

None of these are good reasons, but they are common ones. They are also no reflection on your performance.

How to chase a ghost

You don’t need to wait indefinitely for an update.

If you haven’t been given a date as part of the process, then in general it’s reasonable to wait:

• three to five working days after submitting an application or having an initial conversation.

• five to seven working days after an interview.

If you’ve been given timelines as part of the process, then it’s reasonable to follow up a couple of business days after the deadline has passed.

Send a follow-up, but keep it clear and neutral.

For example:

Hi. I’m following up on my application. Please let me know if the role is still progressing.

That should be enough to prompt a response.

If there’s no response after your first follow-up, you might choose to send a second, especially if you are really keen on the role. If you still don’t get a reply, it’s usually best to move on.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

How to reduce the chances and impact of being left hanging

You can’t control how an organisation runs its process, but you can set clear expectations upfront.

• Check the job ad for any initial timelines

  Often, ads will state when the applications will be reviewed or when interviews will be held. If the ad doesn’t say, you could email the recruiter and ask.

• Ask about timelines at the interview.
  A question like, “What does the rest of the process look like, and when should I expect to hear back?” gives you a reference point later.

• Confirm next steps before the conversation ends.
  A quick “So I should expect an update sometime next week?” helps make the process feel more concrete.

• Follow up on what they told you.
  If they gave you a date, you’re not chasing; you’re checking in on an agreed timeline. This isn’t unreasonable if you are a good enough candidate to have made it to the interview stage.

• Keep other applications moving.
  Not hinging everything on one role is the simplest way to reduce the impact of being ghosted.

These won’t eliminate ghosting, but they do make it easier to know when it’s reasonable to follow up or move on.