Ghosted By a Recruiter: How to Spot It and Move On

Some may say being ghosted by a recruiter is worse than being ghosted by a fling. 

You aced the questions, made the recruiter laugh, even fantasized about how you’d decorate your new desk—and then? Nothing. No follow-up, no “thanks but no thanks.” Just silence.

This situation leaves you with a thousand questions, wondering what happened and what you’re supposed to do now. (No, you're not overreacting for being frustrated, confused, or just plain tired of playing the professional waiting game.)

We asked the experts to explain what ghosting by a recruiter really means, why it happens, and how you can respond without losing your cool—or your confidence.

What does ghosting candidates after an interview mean?

Recruiter ghosting in the job search is exactly what it sounds like: You had a promising interaction, and then…they disappear. No email, no call, no update. You’ve followed up (maybe even twice), checked your spam folder, triple-checked the date they said they’d get back to you—and still, nada.

Is it normal to get ghosted after an interview?

Unfortunately, ghosting by recruiters is more common than it should be, especially in competitive job markets or chaotic hiring seasons. But that doesn’t make it OK. Ghosting after an interview is unprofessional. 

“A good recruiter or HR person does not ghost people,” says Sharon DeLay, a senior certified HR professional and owner of GO-HR, an HR consulting firm. “Even if you’re not a good fit now, you might be later and a good recruiter will keep channels open with good candidates.” 

You deserve a response. That’s just basic respect.

Why do recruiters ghost?

Not all hiring processes are well-run, and not all recruiters are empowered to communicate openly. 

Here are a few reasons ghosting might happen:

• The position was suddenly put on hold (maybe budgets got cut, or leadership priorities changed).

• Someone else was hired faster and they forgot—or didn’t bother—to tell you.

• The recruiter left the company. (Yes, really. It happens more than you think.)

• They don’t have an answer yet and don’t want to communicate until they do (bad move, but common).

• They’re overwhelmed managing way too many roles and candidates. (Still not a great excuse.)

• They meant to reply, and then life happened. A sick day, a family emergency—things fall through the cracks.

Even if there's a reason behind it, recruiter ghosting is still a sign of disorganization at best—or disrespect at worst. “Maybe the rude recruiter was the universe’s way of telling you this is not where you need to be right now,” she says. “Or maybe the recruiter was awesome and the company was a trainwreck.”

But there’s also a silver lining: It might be fate saving you from a chaotic workplace. Ghost hiring practices can be a red flag about what it’s like to actually work there.

4 surefire signs you've been ghosted after the interview

Recruiter ghosting doesn’t usually happen all at once. It starts with small shifts in tone and timing. Here’s what to watch for:

1. The communication suddenly slows down. You were getting quick replies, and now it’s been a week? That’s a sign.

2. Their tone changes. You go from being “an excellent candidate!” to bland, formal replies—or worse, none at all. “A good recruiter will keep people warm—meaning communication and communication channels stay open,” DeLay says. 

3. They miss the deadline they set. If they said they’d get back to you “by Friday” and it’s Wednesday of the next week? Not great.

4. They stop giving you updates or clarity. Vague answers like “we’re still deciding” can mean you’re out, but they don’t want to say it (or haven’t finalized it yet).

Ghosted after the interview? What to do about it

Here’s how to handle being ghosted after an interview like a pro (even if you secretly want to scream into a pillow):

Follow up once, kindly

If it’s been a few days beyond the promised timeline, send a short, polite email. “If you had a good interview and haven’t heard back, reach out at least once,” DeLay says. “Life happens and it’s quite possible the recruiter suddenly became sick or had to step out or something.” 

Reach out and reinforce your interest in the role. Something like:

“Hi [Recruiter’s Name], I wanted to follow up on our conversation last week regarding the [Job Title] role. I really enjoyed our discussion and remain very interested in the position. Please let me know if there’s been any update—or if you need anything further from me.”

Keep it light, warm, and professional. You’re not groveling—you’re just showing you’re still interested and on the ball.

Read this next: The Right Way to Follow Up After an Interview

Give it a little time

If you still don’t hear back after your follow-up, give it a week or two. In the meantime, keep applying elsewhere. You don’t owe loyalty to a process that left you hanging.

Read this next: How to Send a Second Follow-Up Email After an Interview

Don’t burn the bridge

Be smart. Play the long game. “Maybe it’s a bad recruiter but not a bad company,” DeLay says. “So don’t burn the bridge.” 

Avoid the temptation to press for a reason why you haven’t heard back. “The HR person or recruiter may not know the why, and pressuring them for it may only hurt your chances of being called back later when the position is open again,” she says. 

Sometimes the answer isn’t “no, not ever”—it’s just “no, not now.” Keep your job hunt going. “If they contact you in the future, just remind yourself that any number of things could have happened, and yes, one of those could have been a rude recruiter,” DeLay says.

Reflect, but don’t dwell

It’s easy to spiral and assume you did something wrong. But ghosting is not a reflection of your worth or performance. It’s a reflection of their process. The interview might’ve gone great—and you still didn’t get picked. That’s not failure, that’s reality.

It’s not you, it’s them

Ghosting after an interview is frustrating, demoralizing, and unfortunately, all too common. But it doesn’t mean you’re not qualified or valuable. A recruiter’s silence doesn’t get the final word on your future. So yes, follow up. Be polite. Stay curious. And then keep moving. The right company won’t leave you hanging.

FAQs

Is it unprofessional to reach out after an interview?

Not at all. It’s expected and shows professionalism. Just keep it polite and brief.

How long after an interview to hear back?

Usually within a week, unless they told you otherwise. If it’s been longer, a follow-up is totally fair.

Can a job ghost you after hiring you?

Shockingly, there are testimonials that this has happened before. Always make sure you sign a contract and read the fine print to ensure legal protection.