This Company Ghosted Me! | October 24th 2025 Stephen Says Column

Dear Stephen,

I recently applied for a job online through a company’s website. I was called in for an interview, which I felt went well. I was invited back for a second interview, and I also believed that went well. I sent all the appropriate follow-up thank-you notes and was genuinely excited about the opportunity.
Suddenly, I hear nothing. I’ve been ghosted. . . dropped like a hot potato. . .

I’ve reached out to the company discreetly to ask about next steps, but I haven’t received any response. I still see the job posted online, so I believe it’s still open. My question is: How much follow-up is too much follow up? What do you think could have happened? And why would a company just ignore me and never update me on my status?


Signed,
Ghosted

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Dear Ghosted,

We’ve received numerous variations of your letter lately—many from candidates applying for jobs, securing interviews, and then never hearing back. Meanwhile, many candidates contact us because they’ve applied online and received no response, not even a courtesy rejection.

When you’re actively seeking a job, this is understandably disheartening. Our experience shows that companies are ghosting candidates at an all-time high. This trend can partly be attributed to the sheer volume of applications; candidates applying en masse, overwhelmed HR departments, and the proliferation of AI tools that enable mass submissions without targeted effort.

A recent report I read states that 48% of job seekers say they have been ghosted by an employer in the past year. In my experience, ghosting in the hiring process comes in two separate forms:

No Response at All -- Sometimes, you never hear back, not even a polite rejection. While frustrating, consider this a cautious win—your name and résumé are still in the company’s database for future openings. Eventually, if they have a suitable position, they might reach out.

Multiple Interviews, Then Silence -- If you’ve completed several interviews and hear nothing, it’s natural to feel disrespected and frustrated. Most applicants tell me they feel angry and left in limbo. With the job market still strong, it’s especially vexing when companies go silent after investing time in the process.

In many cases, it’s simply poor organizational practices on the part of the hiring company. The manager or HR team involved in your interviews may be disorganized or overwhelmed. This should serve as a red flag about the company’s internal operations in general.

Another common reason is that the company has hired or promoted someone internally and failed to follow up with you even after promising to do so. That’s equally disrespectful and, once again, indicates poor communication within the organization.

There have also been cases where candidates received verbal offers but never saw a formal offer letter or received any follow-up. Not hearing back after someone has said they’ll get back to you next week is painfully frustrating—and, frankly, indefensible. Ghosting a candidate shows a lack of respect and can damage a company's reputation in the industry.

Furniture manufacturers who are the employers in this scenario need to be cautious because candidates might be interior designers, dealers, or industry professionals who may specify your product in the future (or not). Ghosting these individuals leaves a negative impression of your company that can affect future relationships or collaborations. It is to an employer’s advantage, for this reason, to leave a rejected candidate with the best impression of your company, always.

Companies should always keep candidates informed about their application status. People talk, and being transparent or providing timely updates helps maintain your company's good reputation. Even a simple rejection letter is quick and easy to send. It’s a professional courtesy that shows respect for the candidate’s effort and time, and it fosters goodwill—even if they aren’t hired.

If you’ve experienced ghosting, or you’re experiencing it right now, try not to take it personally. My perspective is that this often reflects disorganization or thoughtlessness rather than your abilities as a candidate.

Remember, you deserve respect and clear communication during your job search. The right employer will value your time and effort. Keep applying, stay professional, and don’t settle for companies that fail to communicate.

Signed,
Stephen
 

Stephen Viscusi is the founder of The Viscusi Group, an executive search firm specializing in the interior furnishings industry. All hires made through The Viscusi Group come with a one-year free replacement guarantee.

We'd love to hear from you—share your story or comment on this article, and send your workplace questions to stephen@viscusigroup.com. You can also reach us by phone at +1 (212) 979-5700 ext. 101.

© Stephen Viscusi 2025

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