Is it common for an employer to ghost you after an interview?

Question

I had a second interview for a job almost a week ago. I feel like it went pretty well. The interviewer told me a lot about the company and some perks of the job at the end of the interview. He told me I should hear something by Monday (the interview was on Friday). Now it's Thursday, and I've heard nothing. At this point, I'm assuming I didn't get the job. Is it common for an employer to not even bother to send a polite rejection?

bean2k21 · Accepted Answer

I've been interviewing people at my company for about 30 days. It sucks because as a manager, I have to do that person's work until I hire them. But, I would rather do that work than make a bad investment.

Here's the problem. No one has impressed me. If someone wows me, sure I'll hire them swiftly. But, no one has.

You have to think of every question I ask you as your one chance to sell yourself to the company, as if your life depends on it. What value are you going to add? What benefits are you going to bring? Are you going to be a task-oriented order take or an engaged person? Are you going to be that person asking how much time she'll get to take off, or are you going to be that person that shows their skin is in the game? In this economy, no one has time for dead weight.

My advice is to think about the STAR formula when you answer questions. What was the Situation, Task you had to do, Action you to, and Result of the Action.

Example:
Situation: “In my previous job as an account executive, one of my co-workers quit immediately after signing the biggest client our firm had ever taken on.
Task: Although I was already managing a full load of accounts, I was assigned this new client as well. I knew the stakes were high and if we lost this deal, then we wouldn’t hit our quarterly goal.
Action: I first took some measures to destress. Then I carefully evaluated and restructured my task list to make sure I could manage all my duties. Because of this, I was able to make myself completely available to the client and I also sacrificed some evenings and weekends to take calls until the project was delivered.
Result: The client was so impressed with my dedication, they immediately signed an annual contract that netted our company $5 million.

Rab1901 · Accepted Answer

Absolutely very common. Is it rude? Yes. Is it inconsiderate? Yes. Do they suck? Yess! Sometimes they'll ghost and reach out a month later. Why? Maybe someone they wanted didn't want them. It's kind of like dating. So sad. Some employers think it's the best approach because people can't handle rejection. I do agree that many people can't handle it well, but I completely disagree with the approach because it's just classless. Some employers think they owe the applicants nothing because they don't know them at all. I completely disagree with that too especially if you said you'll reach out. Completely classless really, but that's the reality. If an applicant keeps harassing the employer, I understand ghosting, but an initial response after the interview especially if verbalized or written is the right thing to do. Why don't people want to do the right thing? Because many people suck. I don't hate people by the way. I think there are some great beautiful people in the world, but damn some people really suck. I wouldn't be super quick to judge this employer right away because you really never know what's going on, but in my experience, they're usually just being inconsiderate and cowardly

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes! It happens a lot. I remember being interviewed for teaching jobs at elementary schools and middle schools. I've been to a ton of interviews. Every single one of them told me that they would let me know in a week. Every single one of them never called. It's a red flag to me that they don't call back. They aren't considerate of your time. That's super rude and super awful. They probably have a ton of people that they rejected so they don't want to call every single one of them but they could send an email. Why even offer that you'll let the person know when you don't plan on calling them? It's messed up. If you didn't like them just say, "Thank you for your time and it was nice meeting you." And that's it. Don't promise something you'll never do.

noemiii · Accepted Answer

Honestly I wouldn’t accept an offer from a place that didn’t have their stuff together in that aspect. I don’t really accept the “busy” excuse because the most professional well paying great jobs I’ve ever had were very communicative throughout the interview process and the worst jobs I’ve ever had were either jobs that hired me with no interview (over the phone or just gave you the job) or a job with horrible communications that don’t meet their deadlines. I once had an interviewer FORGET that they had an interview with me…walked right out. You have every right as an employee to demand the same respect from the company hiring you as they expect from you.

MzAsh · Answer

Yes, it’s common. It’s also common for you to touch base. Typically I’d wait one week to reach out again unless they gave you a day to hear from them by which in your case they did. I’d have sent a follow up email. Then another one a week later if I heard nothing back. Send two follow ups before moving on. Sometimes employers are busy and they need your name at the top of their inbox to be reminded that you want the job. If after two emails you hear nothing, I’d consider it a No. Unfortunately employers ghost too and if anything, that’s a sign they weren’t that great of a company in the first place.

Guy13 · Answer

An Employer does not ghost and is doing you the favor in opportunity. Employer owes one nothing. Interviewer expect interviewee to be hungry, follow-up on his/her own, and express a desire for the job post interview.

Employer told you Monday knowing it would be Friday before decision was made. You were to have reached out by 10am Tuesday with an email since you did not hear by Monday. If you did this, rather than assuming, then a global company will procedurally send “Sorry but thank you” note.

WaterIsland · Answer

Have you reached out to them? I’d say after a second interview they should reach out to let you know. But something could have gotten missed. It’s typical to not hear back after the initial application. But once they start communications, it’s polite and respectful for both parties to finish the dialogue regardless.

I’d definitely reach out to them and follow up if you haven’t already. It can’t hurt and there is no downside to it. Then either way, keep looking. Can’t let their lack of professionalism stop you from doing what is best for your career.

Jendcheuebc · Answer

aww girl I know that feeling. So here’s what I’ve done. I follow up like CRAZY. Lol send an email or call until you hear something. While it sounds annoying, it’ll kind of show you where you’re at in the stack. If you keep trying to reach them and rheres no answer at ALL to which I’d give it a week or so then you can mark them off. It’s only Thursday. Lots of employers take extra time, more than you think. Honestly most of the time rejections are communicated quicker than offers. Another possibility is they extended the offer to someone else and they’re waiting their reply and you’re a runner up. Don’t mark them off yet.

Jersey2 · Answer

Sometimes the hiring manager is busy and they are still interviewing and considering candidates. Then they have to have the selection meeting internally which can be an issue scheduling. They also may be talking to their first choice but are still keeping you in play as you could be next to get an offer if it’s refused.

The delay is good to neutral news. Not bad news. Even if it takes this long, which isn’t long at all, it’s no reason to think it is a bad company or a bad manager. What’s happening is they are busy, it’s hectic, and perhaps someone is on vacation. It’s not a perfect world. I would recommended continuing your search for a job and putting in a message to your contact there on Monday saying you thought they would have had an answer last Monday given your conversation with them. Be polite when you do it. Good luck.

Mangospacho · Answer

That’s pretty typical. Most employers know they’ll hire you within the first few minutes of the interview but, if they know they’re gonna have to let you down at the end of the interview, they might be nice to you so you don’t get rattled and they’re not going to end the interview abruptly. If you’re going to give you the job, most of the time they’ll be indifferent or a little bit aloof. Out of all the interviews I’ve been on where I haven’t gotten the job, they have reached out to me only once…. three weeks later…. after I had already started at my new job where I did hear back from them after the interview.

Elliegirl · Answer

Sadly, it’s very common. Unfortunately, common courtesy isn’t common anymore. Rather than being decent and being man or woman enough to make a phone call or send an email to let you know if you will or will not be offered the job, most employers would rather be cowards and never contact you. It sucks, but happens more frequently than it doesn’t.

Account · Answer

Yes, it is way more common than them being upfront.
Sometimes they even had the nerve to call me after months or even after a year or more.
As if I would stay jobless waiting for them lol.
I don't know what those people think.
I consider it rude and irresponsible not to tell someone you rejected them and it would definitely not be a company I would work for.

jillybeanns · Answer

I’m currently a manager and the times that I have seen this happen was due to the manager being extremely busy and hadn’t had time to get back with their interviewee just yet. If this employer was courteous, professional and respected your time, they should have called or emailed you to let you know that they would no longer proceed with the interviewing process or that someone else was offered the position, etc. Either way, sounds like you dodged a bullet.

Quackthulu2 · Answer

Happened to me once. Like a year and a half ago now. Spent a month unemployed because of those fuckers too. Spent a good week trying to get in touch with them via email and phone. Even drove to the office, turns out they had moved buildings. But in your situation I would try and call them if you haven’t already. Worst case you didn’t get the job. But it’s a lot better than never calling and never knowing.

ManOnFire · Answer

Extremely common. Sometimes they will even tell you if you don't hear back from us by such and such day, then you'll know we probably chose someone else. Or they don't tell you and expect you to figure it out. I personally like being told I didn't get the job just as much as someone saying I did.

But ironically employers will hate it if you decide to up and quit without giving any kind of notice and just no longer showing up. I guess people figure they'll get the message too.

Wraith_Cemetery · Answer

Rarely ever do you receive a rejection e-mail/phone call these days. I've only had it happen a few times in the many years of being in the job market. In fact, most employers will honestly say at the end of the interview that they'll only contact you if you're selected for a follow up interview or chosen outright for the position.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

Yes it's common for them to ghost you. It's also common for these things to take longer than they expect. You should contact them and let them know you are still interested.

It's possible they've been busy. It's possible they are still interviewing people. It's possible they are reevaluating their needs. Believe it or not, it's not unusual for a manager to interview people for a job but can't get funding approved. So there are a lot of possibilities. Ghosting is one of them.

Moose304 · Answer

It may sound mean, but VERY few companies will contact you to let you know you were not selected for that job. When I gave an interview I always tried to get that person to understand this. Pay close attention to what the interviewer tells you timeline-wise.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes as courtesy & respect for others is a thing of the past now, particularly in Western society. It takes less than 5 minutes to phone & say sorry, good luck elsewhere.

But look at it this way. If a company is too ignorant to even send an email, do you really want to be working for them? They would treat you more like a slave than a person and whatever passes as "Human Resources" would be essentially more or less useless.

Jay3344 · Answer

I got hired at the post office and was told to wait for the drivers test invitation. Two weeks go by and nothing. I call in and they tel me they filled the position.

it’s tough just getting past the algorithms anymore, let alone the gate keepers.

FreyaRed · Answer

"Is it common for an employer to not even bother to send a polite rejection?" yes, forget it. You wouldn't want to work for such an asshole anyway.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

It might be a test to see how anxious you get when you don’t get a call back, I know Harvard tests their students by making them think they have no way of getting accepted, to see how they respond to pressure.

Sour-rose · Answer

Absolutely. they do this ALL THE TIME. so yeah, a polite rejection well... how about they just let you figure it out sometimes? Most of the time they really got something better to do than tell you "No."

coachTanthony · Answer

They either ghost or send you an automated email letting you know they are moving forward with someone else. The email is better than nothing but when you don't hear back at all that kind of sucks.

Nominal · Answer

Yea, its kinda not the property rejection, but in other hand its very polite and kind. Maybe not honest. But i like it. They have 10 people who want the job, i have 10+companies į want to get a job, so its not bother me at all XD i still dreaming.

Anonymous · Answer

Usually when you have a second interview it indicates you landed the job, especially if the interviewer/hiring manager mentioned stuff about the company. I would do a follow up phone call or email. Not sure how many candidates or job positions they have for the job you are hiring. Example if there are 10 openings and they have like 300-500 people to interview it may be a lengthy process. Hope all goes well and you land the job.

Anemone978 · Answer

Yes it is common to get ghosted but usually you know yourself the interview went shit lol That is why if you don't want to get ghosted always give the interviewer a bj for good measure :P

AviatorTom · Answer

Yes, that's fairly common. It's okay for you to contact the employer and ask them if the position has been filled, because if not, you are still interested in it.

TheBigWhistle · Answer

Sadly, it's become very common. It's really poor form but unfortunately, in this day and age is not unusual.

genericname85 · Answer

yeah it's common. it makes sense too. someone has to pay for the time taken to call you and tell you that you're out or write a letter/email. they're saving time and money.

red324 · Answer

Companies are slow. I gave up hope one time then like 3 weeks later they're like you're hired! I was almost like wow good thing I didn't get another job.

megabamse · Answer

Yes, they have no obligation to contact you if they don't hire you.

Oddquestiona96 · Answer

Unprofessional but kinda yes. If you already reached out for a fallow up just let it be

RockyHammock · Answer

Super normal, business etiquette would be sending a follow-up email after 2 weeks of no contact.

Shy_Steve · Answer

Yes, I think it is. I think Most Businesses don't bother because they get so many Applicants.

OddBeMe · Answer

Yes. Sorry. Move on. Don’t get attached to one job.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

It’s happened to me. It’s highly unprofessional. You don’t want to work for someone like that.

Ghost134 · Answer

If they don't want to hire you, they pretty much just say to you that they will call you then they will go about their own business.

SnowedIn · Answer

Unfortunately, yes.

Gibbons44 · Answer

Did you get the job?

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Yeah. Because they're pussies.

Anonymous · Answer

it is VERY common. you'll get used to it.

NostalgiaSenpi · Answer

Yep. Time to move on.

Xoxocutekitty · Answer

Yeah. Super common.

HowardB · Answer

Yes very story if my life

TallAnon · Answer

Pretty common

Debbie14217 · Answer

yes it is

shortster · Answer

Yes; very typical.

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

It happens

KrissAvarr00 · Answer

Very common

Is it common for an employer to ghost you after an interview?

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