Ghosted by a Recruiter? Here's What to Do Next
You had a great call. Maybe even two. You sent a thank-you email, connected on LinkedIn, and the recruiter said they'd follow up "soon." And then... silence. If you've been ghosted by a recruiter, you are so not alone. In fact, it happens way more often than it should, and it can make you question everything. Was it me? Did I mess up? Do I send another email? Am I allowed to ask for closure?
1. First, know what might actually be going on
Let’s pull back the curtain a bit. Ghosting doesn’t always happen because someone is trying to be rude or inconsiderate. Often, recruiters themselves get ghosted by hiring managers. Or the role is put on hold. Or filled internally. Or funding disappears. Or they had to prioritize another urgent role. Or yes, they dropped the ball.
Key point: Most ghosting is caused by bad systems and broken communication — not by anything you did wrong.
2. Wait a little... but not too long
If you haven’t heard back in a week, that’s normal. At two weeks? It’s OK to follow up. After three weeks with no word, it’s time to take the hint and move on (even if it still stings).
3. Follow up — the right way
Keep it polite, short, and professional. Something like:
“Hi [Name], I just wanted to check in and see if there have been any updates on the [Job Title] position. I’m still very interested and appreciated the opportunity to speak with you. Hope to hear from you soon!”
One follow-up is enough. Two, if you're feeling brave. After that, you risk shifting from "professional and proactive" to "ignoring your own self-respect."
4. Know when to let it go
If you’ve sent a thoughtful follow-up and still heard nothing, it’s time to move on. That recruiter might circle back later, and if they do, great. But don’t pause your job search for someone who won’t hit reply.
Also: take note of how that recruiter operates. You deserve communication and clarity. Keep a mental list of who respects your time and who doesn’t.
5. Don’t let silence mess with your confidence
This one’s important. When someone ghosts you, it’s tempting to fill in the silence with worst-case scenarios: “They hated me.” “I bombed it.” “I must’ve looked desperate.” None of that is helpful — or usually even true.
Instead, take what you can from the experience (was there anything you’d do differently?) and keep going. The right role, the right recruiter, and the right team will follow up. Keep showing up as your best self.
Bonus: How to spot a recruiter who won't ghost you
Want to avoid this next time? Here are a few green flags to watch for:
They give clear timelines and next steps
They follow up when they say they will (or at least acknowledge delays)
They prep you for interviews and debrief with you after
They respond to your emails like you’re an actual human being
Being ghosted by a recruiter is never fun. But it’s also not the end of your job search story. The right opportunity won’t leave you hanging.