Ghosting After Interview: The Revealing Truth Behind It

Ghosting after interview is when a person who applied for a job and went through the interview process 

stops talking or responding to the company that wants to hire them. It can happen when the person doesn't 

respond to emails or phone calls or doesn't show up for job offers. It can be frustrating for the company 

because they have spent time and effort trying to hire the person.

Why is Ghosting on the Rise?

It's becoming more common now because of technology. With the internet and smartphones, it's easy for 

people to apply for jobs and talk to employers. But it's also easy for people to stop talking to each other 

without giving a reason. Some people think it's unimportant to tell the employer they don't want the job 

anymore.

5 Reasons Why Do Job Candidates Ghost Employers

Recruiters Taking Too Long to Make an Offer

When a person goes to an interview and is waiting to hear back about a job offer, it can be 

frustrating if it takes a long time. It's like playing a game of hide and seek, where you want to know 

if the company is still looking for you or if they have stopped. It can be challenging if you don't 

see why it's taking so long to hear back. Understandably, someone might want to stop waiting and 

withdraw from the process.

On the other hand, they might apply to many companies when looking for a job. If they get an 

offer from a company, they like better than the other offers received, they might only want to take 

that job. They don't have to wait to hear back from the other companies, and they can start working 

at the new job right away. With this, the candidate may not find a need to withdraw the application 

from the said companies formally.

Further, the hiring process can be frustrating for them when it is complicated. It can make them 

feel like they are not valued or that the company is not interested in hiring them. They might lose 

interest in the job opportunity or drop the process.

Poor communication can also cause candidate ghosting after 

interview.

It happens when people don't talk clearly, and it's hard to understand what's happening. Job seekers 

want to know as much as possible about the position, and the company should be able to explain 

it clearly. If the company doesn't give clear updates or answer questions timely, it can be unclear 

for the job candidate. They might lose interest in the job and stop talking to the company without 

telling them why.

2. Unaligned Compensation or Benefit Expectations.

If a candidate receives a job offer and feels like the salary, benefits, or other compensation is unfair, 

they may decide not to take the job. Instead of telling their potential employer why they don't want 

to take the job, they might stop responding to their offers and not take the job. Others think this is 

the best way to decline the proposal, which is not being too direct.

Another reason for ghosting is when there are no flexible working options. A flexible working 

option means that the person can choose when and where they want to work. They can work from 

home, have a flexible schedule, and take time off when needed. I the company does not offer this 

option, the candidate chooses another job that does.

3. Employers were Rude or Misleading

How a company treats a person trying to get a job can affect whether they want to work there. If 

the person feels like the company was dishonest, deceptive, and rude, they might not want to work 

there. They may choose to "ghost" if they find another opportunity.

The candidate may be upset and disappointed when the hiring manager lies about the job. They 

will not trust the employer or the hiring manager. They will not attend the appointment or return 

calls or emails.

The same is true if a candidate learns about a company's working environment and culture during 

the hiring process. These maybe different from how the public perceives them. It can also be very 

disappointing and frustrating for the candidate. It will result in a lack of trust in the employer. If 

they believe that the culture is not a good fit for them, they may discreetly decline the job offer. 

They will not negotiate the terms of the job with the employer.

4. Change in Personal Circumstances can also result to 

ghosting after interview.

Sometimes, people who are looking for a job have to stop looking for a job because something 

important happened in their life. For example, they might have a new baby, or something terrible 

happened to someone in their family. These things can make them not want to work because they 

need to take care of their family. In the same way, people might need to stop looking for a position 

to take care of something important in their life.

When a candidate withdraws from the hiring process, it could be because they have decided to 

shift to a new field. It means that they have realized that the current area they are working in or 

applying for is not a good fit for them, and they want to explore other options. They may have 

interests, skills, or goals that align better with a different field or industry and have decided to 

pursue a career in that area instead.

Change in Work Location.

In addition, a change in work location, such as moving from a traditional office to remote work, 

can be a significant factor for candidates when deciding whether to accept a job offer. Some people 

like to work in an office with other people around them, while others like to work from home. 

Some people want the structure of working in an office, while others like the freedom of working 

from home.

When looking at a job offer, people may also think about whether they will start their own business 

instead. Some people have always wanted to have their own business and may see this as a chance 

to do it. They may not want to work for someone else anymore.

Returning to school to pursue further education or training in a new field can be a significant factor 

also for a job seeker to decide whether to accept a job offer. Some candidates may have always 

wanted to pursue a career in a different field or expand their knowledge in a specific area. Working 

for an employer will not interest them anymore.

5. Change in Professional Circumstances

Change in professional circumstances means that something has changed in a person's work 

situation. It could be getting a new job offer, a promotion, earning more bonuses, or something 

else happening at their current job. These changes can make a person want to take a new 

opportunity. These changes can cause a candidate to prioritize the chance over the one they were 

considering, and they may choose to withdraw from the hiring process without explanation.

Conclusion

Both job seekers and employers may be adversely affected by ghosting after an interview. As job 

seekers may have put a lot of time and effort into the application process, ghosting will disappoint 

them. Ghosting can also prevent job candidates from knowing why hiring managers reject them, 

depriving them of the necessary improvements for future job opportunities.