If you’re searching for a job in the post pandemic labor market, you may be frustrated about the lack of follow-up communication after submitting a resume, filling out an application, or maybe even after talking directly with a recruiter. While ghosting typically occurs in the first step of the hiring process, it can always be disheartening to not hear back about an opportunity that you were really excited about.
It’s important to remember that ghosting is not usually a direct result of your actions and that there are other things going on behind the scenes. For instance, you may not be hearing back due to a large number of applicants or the interviewer being on vacation. Regardless, you may still be wondering what to do next. Check out our tips below to see the best way to deal with employer ghosting.
Follow up Effectively
It may be difficult to follow up if you’ve only exchanged a few messages through a job platform such as LinkedIn or Indeed. In fact, some recruiters don’t consider their lack of response as ghosting until the candidate gets to the second stage of the hiring process. Don’t take it too personally if this happens to you! According to Glassdoor, hiring managers receive an average of 250 resumes for each job posting– no wonder they have such a difficult time responding to every candidate who applied!
Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done once you’ve been ghosted, but you can try to prevent it from happening again. Be sure to follow up immediately after each interview and send a thank you note to the recruiter and interviewer, if you have their contact information. After this, it’s best practice to wait a few days before reaching out again through their preferred method of communication. While you may be eager to hear what the next steps might be, you don’t want to come across as pushy and potentially scare off your point of contact. Be patient and wait for them to make the next move.
Remain Professional
It’s okay to feel defeated after being ghosted, but you should still try to remain professional. This situation may not be ideal, but it can be a great learning experience about the importance of providing feedback at each stage of the hiring process. While ghosting may be more typically associated with candidates, it works both ways – and here are some thoughts if you are a candidate on the receiving end. Even though it may be justified at times, it’s always better to take the high road because you never know what your employment situation will look like in the future. As our mothers would say, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. As a next step, you could consider sending one final email to thank the recruiter or hiring manager for their time and to ask them to keep you in mind for future opportunities that may arise.
Move on
If you’ve waited a reasonable amount of time before following up and you are still getting the cold shoulder, it may be time to start looking for other opportunities. As mentioned earlier, ghosting is not your fault and is completely out of your control. You may not have been the best fit for that specific position, but there will certainly be other companies who see your value and want you as a member of their team. In the meantime, continue developing your skills and maintain a positive mindset that the right fit will come along soon. Remember to send a follow up thank you email after each interview and be patient with hiring managers during this unprecedented time!
We hope these tips will help you overcome the stress of being ghosted. If you need help finding a position in the telecommunications, IT, or engineering sectors, reach out to us at info@hnmsystems.com or apply on our website!