Ghosted By Recruiters? 👻
Why it’s happening, how to handle it, and when to move on✌🏾
There’s discourse online almost daily about the recruiter vs. job seeker dynamic.
Job seekers feel ignored, ghosted or rejected without feedback. Meanwhile, recruiters are overwhelmed, managing more roles and way more applicants, forcing them to prioritize who, and what, gets attention.
I’m currently a recruiter and have definitely been on the job seeker side, so I understand the frustration from both ends.
Let’s break down what’s actually happening with hiring:
Since 2024, over 100K tech workers have been laid off. But between 2022 and 2023, that number was over 400K. So more people were pushed into the job market then, yet now somehow feels worse. Why?
It’s a major supply vs. demand issue. Back then, there were still millions of open roles. Even with all the layoffs, those impacted had options. Now, job openings have dropped by 20% or more, while applicant volume has surged. So there are fewer roles, more competition, and overwhelmed recruiters stretched thin.
Recruiters were laid off too and many are still trying to get rehired. With fewer recruiters, the remaining ones are covering more ground and have less time to respond to every applicant or candidate. It’s difficult to offer personalized feedback or timely updates.
As frustrating as it is to be ghosted when all you want is clarity or feedback, my advice is to follow up then move on. When sending a follow up email, keep it short and sweet:
“Hi Recruiter name,
I hope you’ve been well! I wanted to kindly follow up on our recent conversation about the Software Engineering II role. I’m still really excited about the opportunity and would appreciate any updates, or feedback, if a decision’s already been made.
Thank you again for your time.
Best,
Your Name”
If you’ve sent two follow-ups 1–2 weeks apart with no response, check if the role is still open. If it’s closed or no longer listed, it’s safe to assume the role’s been filled and move on. If it’s still open, you can try one last outreach, maybe through another channel like LinkedIn, but if there’s still silence, let it go.
Ghosting isn’t okay and it hits job seekers the hardest. However, it’s a shared reality right now so it’s important to know how to navigate it while staying kind and professional.
Don’t risk burning a bridge or losing future opportunities by venting your frustrations at a recruiter you’re trying to work with. If they ghosted you, that’s on them. Accept that it’s their loss and move on.
Also, they might not have ghosted at all. They could just be slow to communicate, tied up in internal changes, or waiting on decisions. Look at their LinkedIn, research the company, and read the room. If it feels like it’s time to move on, go with that feeling.
Next time you’re in a recruiter screening, ask questions to set realistic expectations around communication. Will you hear back either way? Should you expect feedback? How often is it okay to follow up?
Advocate for yourself. Stay professional and kind. Focus on building relationships, not just checking boxes. Most importantly, don’t give up.
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