Dear Jobs Guru: ‘I thought my interview went really well – but now I’ve been ghosted’
Reader Bea was in high spirits after her interview a fortnight ago – but she hasn’t heard a word from the company since. Our Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice
Like dating, jobhunting can be emotionally exhausting(Image: Getty Images)
I had a job interview a fortnight ago which seemed to go really well. We got on, they sounded enthusiastic and they said I would hear by the end of the following week.
Since then, absolutely nothing. I keep checking my emails, including the spam folder, and wondering whether I just imagined the whole thing went well.
Part of me wants to chase them, but I’m worried that will make me look desperate or pushy. Is it reasonable to ask what is happening or will I look like a nuisance?
Bea, Cambridge
Yes, I would chase them. Definitely. You have given up your valuable time for an interview so asking what happened is hardly an outrageous imposition.
It’s hard not to get your hopes up when an interview goes well(Image: Getty Images)
Employers can be terribly fussy about candidates replying promptly, then go remarkably quiet themselves. It’s poor manners. But it’s all too common.
Still, don’t assume silence means rejection. Someone may easily be arguing about the salary budget or something.
If they gave you a decision date, let it pass by a couple of working days before emailing. If they gave no date, I’d allow no more than a week.
Keep it brief: “Thank you again for meeting with me. I’m still interested in the role and wondered whether you have an update on the decision, or an idea of when I might hear.”
No apology for bothering them. No lengthy reminder of why you’re the best person for the job.
If that produces nothing then one more message the following week is reasonable. After that, you may unfortunately just have to give up.
Meanwhile, do carry on applying elsewhere. It’s horribly easy to put everything on hold because an interviewer seemed enthusiastic, then spend a fortnight checking your inbox and getting nothing and nowhere.
Don’t be scared to send an email asking for feedback(Image: Getty Images/Maskot)
Top Tip:
Before leaving an interview, ask when you should expect to hear and whom to contact if you don’t. It saves you agonising over whether Tuesday is too soon to send an email.
Spotlight On: Being made to wait
When an employer tells you how much it values people, it’s reasonable to notice whether anyone bothers to answer your email.
A delayed decision is understandable. A quick “Sorry, we’re still interviewing” would do. Leaving someone guessing for three weeks takes rather more explaining.
I wouldn’t condemn an entire company because one recruiter has gone missing. Hiring can involve several people, each assuming somebody else has been in touch. But repeated broken promises are worth remembering if an offer eventually arrives. Especially if nobody acknowledges the delay and they suddenly expect your answer by tomorrow morning.
Ask whatever you still need to know about the job. You don’t have to accept in a rush simply because they have finally found the Reply button.
Get a head start in your job hunt with James’ new book, The Job You’ve Always Wanted – out now from Pearson at £16.99.
Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .
