You prepare for an interview, put your best foot forward and wait to hear back. Then the promised response date comes and goes. You follow up, but there’s still no response. That’s what being “ghosted” after an interview can feel like. The silence can be frustrating for any job seeker. For newcomers who are already navigating the uncertainties of settling into a new country, it can be especially demotivating and may even leave them questioning themselves.
Relate to this? Now, here’s what you must know — being ghosted doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck waiting. Coach and consultant Brian Bachand shares how you can take back control, get closure and move forward.
Don’t panic when the timeline passes or let the silence become self-doubt
If an interviewer says they’ll get back to you within a week and you don’t hear from them, don’t immediately assume you weren’t selected. There could be internal circumstances affecting the hiring process that you know nothing about.
Bachand suggests giving it a little more time before following up. “I would say that if it’s been maybe 10 days, a little bit longer than a week, I would do a gentle follow-up and just say, ‘I’m just circling back to inquire… or are there updates from the interview process? … Look forward to hearing from you.’”
If there’s still no response, give it another few days and follow up again. Keep it simple and ask about the status of the process. If the silence continues, you can start to assume you’re being ghosted.
The hardest part of being ghosted may not be the lack of an answer itself, but the uncertainty that comes with it. Bachand agrees that candidates deserve an answer, even when a company decides to go with someone else. “It’s okay if a company decides to go with a different candidate, but you have a right to also receive an answer,” he says.
Also read: Slip-ups in your Canadian job search as a newcomer can cost you great opportunities
Take control by closing the loop, and move on
If you’ve followed up respectfully, given the company reasonable time and still haven’t heard anything, Bachand suggests sending one final email.
Rather than continuing to wait, let the company know that you’ve followed up, haven’t received an answer and have decided to move on. The goal isn’t to criticize the company or demand an explanation. It’s to give yourself closure and move forward.
Sometimes, the message may prompt the company to respond and explain what happened. But even if it doesn’t, you’ve taken control of your next step: “The most important thing is you’re getting closure for yourself.”
Bachand says this can help you move on without carrying frustration or bitterness from the experience. “I’ve circled back, I’ve tried to get answers, but I’ve decided to move on as well.”
What if you’re ghosted on LinkedIn?
Not every unanswered message should be handled the same way. Say you connect with someone on LinkedIn and they agree to an introductory call. You offer a few dates, but then don’t hear back.
In this situation, Bachand recommends a softer approach: “I’m just leaving this with you, and let me know when you may be free, and delighted and welcome to hear from you.”
There may be something happening in the other person’s personal or professional life that has nothing to do with you. After following up, leave the door open rather than expressing disappointment.
The key difference is the stage of the relationship. An interview is part of a formal hiring process where you’ve invested significant time and effort. An informal LinkedIn conversation may not carry the same expectation of follow-through.
Most importantly, whether ghosting happens during the job search process or while building relationships, don’t let someone else’s silence determine how you see yourself as an individual.
Also read: Mindset shift tips for newcomer job seekers in Canada
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