How to deal with being “ignored” whilst job hunting
Imagine this scenario. You see a job advertised for a large company. It is advertised as an entry level job, and you are delighted that you meet all the criteria. Actually, the more you look at it, the more you realise that you are the perfect candidate, and this is the job for you.
You clear your calendar and designate three whole days to writing the application. Dinner with Gran will have to wait.
You get it done. You get it proofread. You lap up the praise. It is perfect. You send it well in advance of the deadline. And you wait for your invite to interview.
And you wait. And you wait. You refresh your email a million times. You check that your phone is working. You google “How long does it take to be called to an interview?” You ask ChatGPT what it would do.
Not hearing back after submitting a job application is far from a new phenomenon, and many people will have tales similar to this one. However, frequency of occurrence doesn’t stop the pain of a ghosting (as many internet daters can contest to!). And it is not just initial applications – it can happen at every stage of the hiring process.
So, what do you do if you find yourself ghosted? Below are a few suggestions that might just help you out:
1. Give it a little more time
Sometimes companies are just slow. Recruitment processes can get delayed by holidays, internal changes, or new priorities. If it’s only been a week or two past the deadline, hang tight. But if it’s been longer, it’s okay to move on mentally even if you haven’t formally heard back.
2. Follow up politely
If there’s a contact person listed on the job advert, or if you have a recruiter’s details, send a polite email. Something simple like:
“Dear [Name], I am writing to follow up on my application for [Job Title]. I remain really interested in the role and would love to hear any updates you can share. Many thanks for your time.”
Keep it short and gracious. You’re reminding them you exist without demanding anything.
3. Reflect, but don’t overthink
Not hearing back often says more about the organisation’s internal situation than it does about you. It doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. Recruitment can be messy behind the scenes. Try not to be self-critical- your effort wasn’t wasted.
4. Keep moving
It’s really tempting to get stuck thinking this was the one. But it’s important to keep applying elsewhere. Finding a job is often about volume as well as fit. Staying active in your job search will give you new things to focus on (and better odds!).
5. Remember your worth
Ghosting can feel like rejection, but it’s not the same as being rejected after an interview. You still don’t know the full story. Stay connected to the things that build your confidence – whether that’s talking to people who know your strengths or rereading the great feedback you got on your application.
6. If it’s a place you still really want to work..
You can keep an eye out for future opportunities there. Following the company on LinkedIn, attending their events, or connecting with employees could help you stay on their radar without dwelling too much on the ghosted application.
Getting ghosted in job hunting is frustrating, demoralising, and, sadly, quite common as those of us who work in Careers Services often hear. But it doesn’t define your value or your future. Every application you write builds your skills. Every experience you go through makes you more resilient.
The right opportunity is still out there, and it deserves the version of you who kept going, learned from setbacks, and stayed hopeful even when it was tough.