Are you being ghosted by an employer after a job offer? Here's what you can do!

The job search can be a challenging process. If you’ve received a verbal job offer though, you should be celebrating and feeling excited about the next chapter in your career unfolding. But, there are situations where you can get ghosted after a job offer. 

Being ghosted after receiving a job offer is very frustrating and confusing. The main thing to remember is to try not to take it personally. It’s business, and it may have nothing to do with you.  

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What is ghosting after a job offer?

• How to recognize if you’ve been ghosted after accepting a job offer?

• Reasons you may have been ghosted after a job offer

• 4 steps to dealing with being ghosted after a verbal offer?

What is ghosting after a job offer?

Not hearing back from a hiring manager after sending your resume or having a first interview is deflating, but it can happen. Being ghosted after receiving a job offer is a totally different experience. At this stage, you’ve jumped through the hoops of the interview process and have been informed verbally that you’ve got the job. Then, radio silence as your prospective employer cuts off contact with you completely. 

There could be some reasons behind this, including:

• Changing business situation. Maybe the job is no longer available due to budget shortfall, staff reductions, or a merger may have eliminated the job you were offered. 

• Experiencing internal conflicts. Disagreements among key decision-makers within the company could lead to the decision being reversed. Conflicting opinions on your fit for the role or the company culture might contribute to ghosting. 

• Finding a better candidate. The employer may have extended a job offer but continued the hiring process to see if they could find someone with better qualifications or experience. If they do find someone they think is a better fit, they might decide to move forward with that person and not communicate their decision to you. 

Even if you understand there may be a reason you’re being ghosted, you’re bound to feel angry and confused. Once you’ve got over the initial shock, confirm that you’ve actually been ghosted, then take steps to deal with this situation and move forward. 

How do you know if your employer ghosted you?

Recognizing whether you’ve been ghosted after a job offer will inform your decision-making process as to what to do next. Apart from attending interviews, your communication with an employer is likely to be via telephone, email, or messaging. If this abruptly stops and you hear nothing after sending communication in line with the timeframe for next steps, then this is a major red flag. 

If the company is still actively seeking applicants for the job opening, it can be a sign that you’ve been ghosted. While the job posting may be left up for a short period of time after being filled, an extended period of time would indicate the job isn’t yours.

Comments like, “We’re seeing a few more people,” or “We’ll be in touch at some point to let you know if we move forward,” can be indicators that the employer isn’t that committed to giving you a concrete job offer.

What should I do if I’m ghosted after accepting a job offer?

If you find yourself in the position of being ghosted by an employer after receiving a job offer, follow these five steps to effectively deal with this situation:

1. Allow a reasonable period of time

You should follow up with the employer after you have waited a reasonable amount of time for a response. It’s a good idea to ask for a timeframe for next steps during your interview, but if you aren’t clear about this, then one week would be the norm. Any earlier could burn bridges or make you look a little pushy.

2. Follow-up via phone or email

Once a week has passed, email or call the employer, whichever you feel is most appropriate. Focus on being polite and professional in your communication, even if you are feeling pretty frustrated. Here’s an example email that you can adapt to your unique situation:

3. Resume your job search

After sending the message, don’t sit around waiting for a call or email. Get back out there and look for another job. If you do hear from an employer after being ghosted, the hiring manager should understand that you restarted your job search since you didn’t receive any additional information about your job offer.

4. Send a final communication to the hiring manager

Leave it a week, then send another communication to the hiring manager. Stay positive and polite as you inquire about the job offer and confirm you’re still interested in the job opportunity. This is your final check, and it allows for any potential delays in the hiring process or crossed communication that may have caused this issue.

5. Acceptance

If you hear nothing back at this point, it's safe to say that you’ve definitely been ghosted after accepting a job offer, and it’s time to move on. While it may seem a nightmare at the time, everything happens for a reason and your time is better invested in finding another job. 

If you need support navigating your job search, then check out our job search tool to help you make positive steps in your career.

Key takeaways 

1. Business conditions change and a company may ghost you after making a job offer due to budget constraints or other factors. 

2. Follow up in a polite and professional manner if you are ghosted to find out if the company is still considering the job offer you received.

3. Don’t take ghosting personally; continue your job search if you don’t hear back from a company that offered you a position.