Is ghosting an unavoidable part of job applications?

Being left on read after applying or interviewing? You’re not the only one. From applications that vanish without a reply to interviews that end in silence, job-search ghosting has become a frustratingly common experience. In this edition of Hire Power – our advice series where people with hiring experience share honest, practical insights – we spoke to Mark Hothi, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Deel, career coach Stephanie Brown and Megan Griffiths, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at DEPT®, about why it happens, what it really means and how to move forward without losing confidence.

According to CV Genius’ Employer Ghosting Report (2025), 56% of UK hiring managers admit to ghosting unsuccessful candidates, while 71% of underrepresented applicants say they’ve been ghosted after an interview. So, what should you actually do when you’ve put energy into a role, only to be met with silence? Our three experts share how to stay proactive and protect your confidence.

Mark Hothi
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Product & Design

Remember: it’s them, not you
Mark says that when you’re ghosted after an interview, it’s almost never because of something you said or did. “In almost 100% of cases where this happens, it’s them – not you,” he says. “It’s usually down to organisational failure or a one-off issue, not anything you did wrong in your application or interview.”

He explains that most silence comes down to process issues rather than personal rejection. “Recruiters can be overwhelmed by the number of applications or waiting on feedback from hiring managers that never arrives,” he says. “It’s not an excuse, but it happens.”

Very rarely, he adds, it’s because a company doesn’t respect a candidate’s time or effort. “If that’s the case, you’ll see a pattern on sites like Glassdoor,” he says. “Check there to see if ghosting comes up in other reviews – it’s usually a sign of a wider issue.”

Stay polite and proactive
“If you’ve not heard back, it’s fair to assume you’ve been unsuccessful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from it,” says Mark. “Ask for one or two specific pointers rather than a general request for feedback.”

He suggests wording it clearly:
“I haven’t heard back since my last interview, so I assume I’ve been unsuccessful. Whilst that’s disappointing, I’d really appreciate any pointers on what I could improve for next time.”

If the company sends a feedback survey, Mark encourages candidates to complete it. “Be candid but polite,” he says. “If it’s a good company with a one-off issue, someone will probably see your comments and want to fix it.” He also suggests reaching out on LinkedIn if needed. “Find the head of talent or recruitment and send a short, factual message about your experience,” he says. “Keep it polite and assume it was an oversight, not bad intention.”

Share your experience to help others
“Leave a short, factual review on Glassdoor,” says Mark. “You can do this anonymously, and companies are increasingly tracking candidate experience now.”

“It might lead to someone reaching out to you directly – or even push a company to change how they handle communication,” he adds. “Ghosting is frustrating, but it’s rarely about your ability. The best thing you can do is stay professional, learn what you can, and keep moving forward.”

Stephanie Brown
Marketing Career Coach (ex-Nike & Apple)

Understand what ghosting really means
Stephanie believes the first step is to define what ghosting actually is. “Applying online and not hearing back isn’t really ghosting,” she explains. “That’s like matching with someone on a dating app and never messaging – there was no real relationship there.”

For her, true ghosting happens after a company has started engaging with you. “You’ve had one or more interviews, maybe even reached the final stage, and then the communication just stops,” she says. “I’ve had clients go through final interviews and never hear back. It’s crazy, but it happens.”

She recognises how frustrating this can be – but stresses that it’s often down to the scale and speed of the hiring process rather than intent. “It’s a broken system,” she says. “It’s not okay, but it’s common – so try not to panic or take it personally.”

Be patient but don’t pause your life
When it comes to the waiting game, Stephanie’s mantra is simple: “Hold on tightly, let go lightly.” She explains that the phrase came from a friend who once worked as a recruiter at Apple: “He told me that in the job-hunt process, you should hold on tightly, let go lightly – which means give it everything you’ve got while you’re in it, and once you’ve done your part – the interview, the follow-up – forget about it until you hear the next step.”

In other words, commit fully, then move on. Give every opportunity your all, but don’t let waiting for a response take over your week. She knows how silence can feel amplified when you’re not working. “When you’re not working, time feels slower, and silence feels longer,” she says. “But sometimes the process is just taking longer than expected.” That’s why she encourages candidates to stay busy – to keep applying, keep networking and not let one role dominate their focus.

Give grace while setting boundaries
Stephanie also believes empathy goes both ways. Recruiters, she notes, are often “dealing with quite a lot of people on their side as well – trying to get feedback from hiring managers and pulling together everyone’s responses.” Offering them a little grace can help, but so can knowing when to move on. “No amount of emails or follow-ups is going to change whether someone gets back to you or not,” she adds. “The only thing you can control is what you do next.”

Megan Griffiths
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, DEPT®

Follow up but try not to overdo it
For Megan, communication can make all the difference. “If you’re not receiving responses to your initial application, follow up,” she says. “Look on LinkedIn to see who’s posted the role and reach out there or via email. A quick message could put your name back at the front of their minds.”

She recommends leaving interviews with a clear idea of when you’ll hear back so you can follow up effectively. “Always try to ask when you can expect to hear back,” she adds, “it makes following up much easier.”

If silence continues, Megan suggests keeping it short and professional – and knowing when to stop. “Follow up via email around two or three times with a professional yet direct message,” she advises. “And if you still don’t get a response, move on – your energy’s better spent on new opportunities.”

Tailor your applications to stand out
Megan says one of the best ways to avoid being ignored in the first place is to make your application specific. “Take a look at the job description and highlight on your CV or application where your previous experience fits with the requirements,” she explains. “You’re much more likely to stand out from the crowd in doing this, and more likely to receive a positive response.”

She also encourages candidates to connect with recruiters or line managers directly if possible. Even a brief note can show enthusiasm and initiative. And if you’ve done all that and still hear nothing, Megan’s advice is simple: “Stay positive and put your energy into moving forwards and looking to the next opportunity.”

When silence drags on

Even when you’ve done everything right, ghosting can still happen – and it’s never a reflection of your value. All our experts agree the key is to stay proactive. “You can’t control who replies,” says Stephanie, “but you can control how you respond.”

Keep track of your applications, set reminders to follow up and treat each one as a learning step – not a personal rejection. The goal is progress, not perfection and every application brings you closer to the right fit.

Key takeaways

✅ It’s almost never personal – ghosting usually reflects the company, not you.

✅ Give applications your all, then move on fast – once you’ve done your part, don’t wait around; shift your focus to the next opportunity.

✅ Make applications as tailored as possible – this gives you the best shot at an interview and a response.

✅ During interviews, ask when you can expect to hear – it makes following up easier and prevents unnecessary guessing.

✅ Follow up politely and purposefully – message the hiring manager or recruiter (no more than three short messages) and ask for one or two specific pieces of feedback.

✅ Keep track of your applications – note when you applied and who you spoke to, so you can follow up confidently and stay organised.

✅ Give feedback or share your experience – complete surveys or leave a short, factual Glassdoor review to help improve hiring processes and support other candidates.

✅ Remember your value – silence is never a reflection of your ability.